The tech industry narrative right now is complicated. Layoffs are still making headlines, burnout is at an all-time high, and yet — if you know where to look — hiring is surging. So where should tech professionals actually be looking for work in 2026?
A new nationwide study has the answer.
The Contradiction Defining Tech Careers Right Now
Let's be honest about the current landscape: it's rough. According to Dice's 2026 Tech Insights Report, three out of four tech professionals say they plan to switch employers this year — but fewer than half believe they'll actually land something better.
Burnout has doubled. Layoffs have touched roughly two-thirds of the workforce, either directly or indirectly. And confidence in the tech industry's long-term outlook has dropped sharply, from 80% down to about 60%.
Perhaps most telling: job stability has now surpassed career growth as the number one reason people are considering a move. That's a first.
The result? A highly mobile talent pool, but moving out of fear rather than ambition.
So, Where Is Tech Hiring Actually Happening?
Researchers at Unit4 set out to answer exactly that. They analyzed hundreds of thousands of LinkedIn job postings across 20 technology-driven industries nationwide, then calculated what percentage of each state's total job market was made up of tech-related roles — a method that allows for fair comparisons regardless of a state's overall job volume.
"The goal wasn't to guess which places feel 'techy,'" said Mark Baars, tech expert at Unit4. "It was to measure what employers are actively recruiting for."
What they found might surprise you.
The 10 States With the Highest Concentration of Tech Jobs
1. Virginia — 14.4% of all job postings
Virginia leads the nation, with over 28,000 tech industry postings out of more than 202,000 total. Federal and defense contracts, cybersecurity, and enterprise IT are driving the demand here.
2. Washington — 12.36%
Home to Microsoft and Amazon, Washington logged nearly 18,000 tech postings. No surprises here, but the numbers confirm it's still a powerhouse.
3. New Jersey — 12.03%
With strong fintech, software, and cybersecurity growth, New Jersey is quietly one of the best markets in the country for tech talent, with over 17,000 postings.
4. New York — 11.21%
New York boasts the sheer volume — nearly 33,000 tech postings — fueled by its booming fintech and cybersecurity sectors.
5. Maryland — 11.05%
Maryland's proximity to Washington, D.C. translates into significant demand for defense and cybersecurity roles, with nearly 14,000 tech postings.
6. Nevada — 10.82%
With 4,600 tech postings, Nevada signals an expanding tech economy well beyond the traditional coastal corridors.
7. Texas — 10.58%
Texas means volume. Nearly 49,000 tech postings make it a major hiring market, reflecting the continued migration of tech companies to the Lone Star State.
8. California — 10.45%
California may rank eighth in percentage, but it still leads the nation outright in raw numbers — more than 53,000 tech postings in total.
9. Massachusetts — 10.37%
Biotech, robotics, and agricultural technology are propelling Massachusetts, with nearly 18,000 tech postings.
10. Kansas — 10.16%
Perhaps the most unexpected entry on this list, Kansas rounds out the top 10 with over 5,800 tech postings, also driven by biotech and robotics growth.
Tech Hiring Isn't Just a Silicon Valley Story Anymore
One of the most important takeaways from this research is geographic. "Tech hiring is no longer just a Silicon Valley story," says Baars. "There's strong demand tied to federal and defense work, cybersecurity, and enterprise technology needs in places that don't always get labeled as traditional tech hubs."
Virginia's top ranking is a perfect example. When people think of major tech markets, Virginia rarely tops the list — but its proximity to federal agencies and the defense industry makes it a quietly dominant force.
What This Means for Tech Professionals in 2026
If you're navigating the job market right now, the data offers a few clear signals:
- Don't limit your search geographically. States like Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland, Nevada, and Kansas are punching above their weight in tech hiring.
- Stability is the new growth. Companies that can clearly communicate job security will have a significant edge in attracting candidates.
- AI is creating more jobs than it's eliminating — just different ones. As Baars explains, "Companies don't just need people building AI models. They need teams to integrate new tools into real workflows, secure systems, manage data responsibly, and modernize legacy platforms."
The demand for tech skills isn't shrinking. It's just shifting — and now you know where it's heading.