Austin, Texas stands out not just for its role as the capital of Texas, but also as a politically and ethnically diverse hub for art, culture, and innovation. The city continues to grow rapidly in part because of its competitive tech job market.
Tech jobs in Austin encompass work at companies and startups related to cybersecurity, space technology, and digital media technology. These well-compensated, dynamic jobs can help you build and afford a life in a city with a vibrant nightlife, great food, and unique community!
Read on for our guide on what to expect from tech jobs in Austin, including what industries they can be found in, how the pay and benefits measure up, and what other advantages these jobs can offer you.
Austin at a glance
How big is Austin? | 978,908 people live here. |
How young is Austin? | 19% of the population is in their 20s, and the median age is 33.9. |
Is Austin a growing community? | Signs point to yes: The metropolitan statistical area of Austin added 67,197 new residents from July 2019-20. |
How much do people earn? | The mean annual income was $55,190 in 2019. |
How does the cost of living compare to the rest of the United States? | The cost of living in Austin 3% lower than the national average. |
Tech employment in Austin
Tech jobs in Austin are booming, making the city a mini-Silicon Valley of Texas and the greater Southwest. According to a CompTIA analysis, Austin's tech industry currently employs 172,961 workers, most of whom work as software engineers and programmers. Business Insider reports that the top employers of tech professionals in Austin include Dell, which employs around 13,000 employees in Austin; Amazon, which employs 5,600; and Oracle, which employs roughly 5,000.
Moreover, many up-and-coming tech innovations are headquartered in Austin, including the dating app Bumble, the video chat app Zoom, and LogicMonitor's infrastructure monitoring software. The STEM job culture in Austin also includes community organizations such as the Austin Tech Alliance, which provide opportunities for civic engagement and networking. Joining the software and IT community in Austin can put you on the cutting edge of exciting job opportunities.
Tech salaries in Austin
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that Austin's tech industry workers make around or slightly less than the national average for tech jobs. This is reflective of Austin's lower cost of living than other comparatively-sized cities.
| Austin annual mean wage (May 2019) | National annual mean wage (May 2020) | |
|---|---|---|
Computer and information research scientists | $124,800 | $130,890 |
Computer systems analysts | $87,480 | $99,020 |
Computer network architects | $116,300 | $119,230 |
Software developers, QA analysts, and testers | $106,080 | $114,270 |
Computer programmers | $91,960 | $95,640 |
Computer user support specialists | $52,690 | $57,000 |
Building a tech career in Austin
If you are looking to advance your technology career in Austin, consider applying for positions at the larger companies that dominate Austin's tech job scene, such as Amazon and Dell. Shop around for interesting startups and try to network with like-minded tech professionals.
The BLS reports that the unemployment rate for the Austin-Round Rock area is 3.2% as of November 2021. This is optimistic compared to the national unemployment rate of 4.2% during the same time and drives home that Austin is a thriving job market.
Remote work
Many tech and information technology jobs, such as working as a software engineer or web developer, can be done through telecommuting. This offers a variety of financial benefits. For instance, telecommuting can give you more headroom to pay off the bachelor's degree in software engineering, information technology, or computer science required for both of these jobs.
As telecommuting jobs have become more prevalent due to COVID-19, many workers have taken advantage of how it reduces monthly expenditures. In an average COL area such as Austin (3% less than the national average) or low COL area such as St. Louis (6% less than the national average), this can make it very easy to save up quickly. In a high COL area such as San Francisco (80% higher than the national average), it can be a godsend.
Conclusion
The key to getting the most out of a great tech scene like Austin's is creativity and personal drive. Check out the more popular tech hubs, but remember that finding a great job could be a matter of creating it. By interacting with Austin's tech community, you may find like-minded individuals on board with your own great startup idea!
