A new study highlights North Carolina as one of the top ten states in the U.S. for pursuing a career in technology, ranking eighth overall. Conducted by Class Central, an online course aggregator, the study used data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard to analyze key factors such as the percentage of degrees awarded in tech, the cost of attendance, and median earnings four years post-graduation. North Carolina scored 5.40 out of 10 in the analysis.
“Tech jobs often come with greater flexibility for remote or hybrid work, which appeals to workers seeking work-life balance,” said Dhawal Shah, CEO and Founder of Class Central. “On top of this, tech jobs in the U.S. offer some of the highest starting salaries, along with many comprehensive benefits such as stock options, retirement plans, health insurance, and paid time off. This compensation is often much higher than in many other fields, making it an attractive option for those with the skills to succeed.”
Higher Earnings for Tech Graduates in North Carolina
North Carolina boasts 174 schools offering tech-related programs and reported median earnings of $59,303 annually for tech graduates. This figure is 67.1% higher than the state’s overall median earnings of $35,484 for all fields of study, representing a significant $23,819 wage increase for tech professionals.
Educational opportunities in North Carolina continue to expand for aspiring tech professionals. The North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) recently partnered with Google to offer free tech training programs at all 58 community colleges across the state. These programs include Google Career Certificates and gives students access to an employer consortium.
“Every student deserves the opportunity to enter the workforce with the skills needed to thrive,” said Lisa Gevelber, founder of Grow with Google in a press comment with the NCCCS. “We’re proud to work with the North Carolina Community College System to provide the Google Career Certificates program to every community college in the state. This will ensure that students and workers can access the certificates in their local communities and qualify for well-paying jobs in North Carolina.”
Alaska was ranked first on Class Central’s list followed by Wyoming, Utah, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Montana. West Virginia and North Dakota were ninth and tenth.