Tech talent in demand: The top U.S. markets driving AI’s hiring boom
Since ChatGPT’s launch in 2022, San Francisco has often been referenced as the AI capital of the world due to its history as a tech hub, established tech talent, and proximity to venture capital (VC). On its own, San Francisco accounts for 10.1% of AI job postings (within the top 20 cities) but combined with other Bay Area cities, accounts for 22.6% from 2019 to present.
Interestingly, New York leads the list of AI job postings, accounting for 14.3% over the same period, finding success due to the heavy influence of its financial industry and diverse talent pool.
Outside New York and San Francisco, several other markets have emerged as top destinations for AI talent in recent years. The fastest-growing cities include Houston (+20.6%), Austin (+16.4%), and Boston (+9.3%), all of which have seen significant upticks in the percentage share of job postings from 2024 to present compared to 2019 to present. Texas has enjoyed its growth due to an expanding tech sector, business-friendly policies, and substantial investments into data centers, while Boston has seen increases due to its world-class academic ecosystem and established tech scene.
As AI develops, Avison Young anticipates markets will continue to see an uptick in office demand from the AI sector with sustained growth expected for the foreseeable future.
