The Midwest is transforming into a thriving tech hub, with high-paying jobs and numerous patents. Some of its major cities are emerging as centers of innovation, offering a lot to tech entrepreneurs and companies seeking to advance their operational excellence.
A recent report ranked the 20 best Midwestern metro areas for tech development based on several metrics, including the local ratio of tech to non-tech businesses, tech employment, and the number of patents granted.
Top Performing Cities
Madison, WI, came out on top with a strong performance on several metrics, including the highest ratio of tech to other employment opportunities, with 71 of every 1,000 occupations being in tech. The median salaries for tech workers in Madison were around $89,000 a year, the second highest in the region.
Ann Arbor, MI, took second place, with 52.2 of every 1,000 jobs in tech, and the highest tech establishment density in the region. Median tech earnings in Ann Arbor stood at $80,000.
Chicago, which came in third, held the highest number of tech patents in the region, with 8,000, and the largest pool of organizations contributing to tech innovation. Median tech salaries in Chicago were $92,300.
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Job Growth and Patents
Other metros demonstrated their commitment to growing their tech sectors, with Columbia, MO, leading the field with a 14% increase in tech firms between 2017 and 2021. Rochester, MN, led the way in job growth, with a 47% increase in tech employment between 2017 and 2021.
In terms of patents, Chicago took the crown in the Midwest, being awarded 8,243 patents between 2018 and 2022. Detroit came in second, with over 6,000 patents, and Minneapolis third, with 3,000 patents.
Chicago also recorded the highest number of organizations receiving patents, with 773 involved, more than 77% more than runner-up Minneapolis.
Quality of Life
For researchers and companies seeking quality of life, Columbia, MO, may be the city to investigate, having led the life-quality index with the second lowest cost of living and the third highest number of residents over 25 years with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Others may prefer Fargo, ND, which came in second by a slim margin. The metro area’s strong performance in various metrics has made it an attractive destination for tech entrepreneurs and companies.
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