According to NY Times journalist Francesca Mari ("Why Gen Z Students are Seeking Tech and Finance Jobs"), Gen Z graduates are looking to enter the tech industry as much as any generation, even in the current climate. 

With the return to office mandates a mixed bag, not to mention tech layoffs the last 1-2 years, it can be confusing to know where Gen Z should go to jumpstart their career and break into the tech industry.

We worked with BizInsure to get to the bottom of it: The Gen Z IRL Tech Index: Ranking Where New Grads Can Break into the Tech Biz in Every State

Atlanta ranks #1 in GA, #11 in the nation for Gen Z tech.

Interesting highlights:

• San Jose, CA tops the list with the highest tech salaries and job density, with NYC close behind - no surprises here, but interesting reflection of the post-COVID return to office (partially)

• Small cities like Boulder, CO, and Huntsville, AL provide excellent career growth opportunities with affordable living costs and connections to state universities, tech companies and military bases.

• Sierra Vista, AZ offers the most affordable living with rent taking just 11% of the average tech salary - bolstered by U.S. military spending in cybersecurity

Top 10 summary:

See full list here