Phoenix's tech scene is on the up; there, Ocere has said it. The digital marketing agency has some key statistics that show just how up-and-coming Phoenix is for technology:
- 13.4% tech job growth rate in 2021 and 2022
- No. 10 in the rankings for tech growth in 2023
- Estimated economic impact of $30.1 billion
- 9,500 tech businesses
- Fastest-growing salary: increase in 2023 was +26.2%
It's interesting to see how the tech scene is thriving and continues to do so, with the impact across the state being profound – everyone from the companies down to the desk workers is benefiting from the tech boom. And it's pretty much every tech sector that's growing. Ocere is seeing an increase in electronic vehicle production, semiconductor manufacturing and even gaming platforms.
But why exactly are these numbers increasing? Read on to find out.
The population
The people are the power. They're the driving force behind making Phoenix the next big tech hub in the United States. Most notably, in earlier years, 25,288 new residents moved into Greater Phoenix. That was between 2017 and 2018, which we know is a long time ago, but it's part of the process. It's not necessarily about the figures; it's about who these people were – the Millennials. Millennials possess specific skills with technology, being the generation that is most entrenched within the digital world. Phoenix is also home to some great universities, like Arizona State University, which has an outstanding reputation and was voted the No. 1 most innovative school in America for two consecutive years.
A thriving job market
Sticking with the people, there's a thriving job market that's making Phoenix's tech industries one of the most exciting prospects. In Arizona specifically, tech wages were 11.5% higher than the mean average, and there are plenty of jobs. By the end of 2022, there had been a 13.4% increase in high-tech software and service jobs, with Phoenix at No. 10 on the Tech 30 list.To put it simply, the attractive salary and the fact that there are so many jobs make people want to work in tech. And even without a degree, you can take trainee and apprenticeship jobs with attractive salaries and the potential to rise within a company.
There is space for creatives and those with heads for numbers alike. The gaming market alone means that there is ample opportunity for people with very different skill sets to find their groove – and, with specific niches within the gaming market doing better than ever worldwide, that doesn’t look ready to slow down anytime soon. While many game developers may set their sights on Triple-A when they’re just getting started, the past few years have demonstrated to us that those other niches – such as iGaming and indie development – can be more rewarding. The iGaming industry in particular, which comprises online casino and sports betting, has seen steady growth since its inception, and the scope for creativity in an industry defined by competition between major brands is very high. It’s a challenge, but to the right developer the sky could very well be the limit.
Similarly, indie development is seen as a great arena to enter into for developers who want to explore their creativity untethered. Triple-A has bigger battles to fight, so if you want to pursue video game development as more of an art form, indie is the place to be.
Innovation and infrastructure
Phoenix's rise is not just about numbers – it's innovation.The city has gone all out to build the infrastructure necessary to support a booming tech industry. High-speed internet networks have grown while tech parks have accommodated more startups and established firms.
Organizations like the Arizona Technology Council have played critical roles in innovations because they don't sit idly waiting for things to happen. They're taking proactive steps like organizing events and lobbying for policies friendly to technology, providing platforms through which different players within the industry can meet, interact, share ideas and collaborate. This level of support makes Phoenix stand out as one of the top U.S. cities championing breakthroughs.
It's not just software or app development thriving here. Phoenix has become a significant hardware hub within the global IT ecosystem, with Intel pumping billions into its expansion plan and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's (TSMC) recent arrival marking the next chapter of their investment storyline, positioning themselves strategically along the value chain.
Community collaboration
What truly sets Phoenix apart from other tech hubs across America is the sense of community found within its borders. It's not just companies working in isolation. It's more than that: People help each other. Startups partner with established firms, and educational institutions team up with private sector entities – all this provides an enabling environment for creativity to thrive.This spirit continues with many meetups throughout the year where like-minded individuals come together to exchange ideas on various topics ranging from software engineering best practices through data science methodologies to emerging trends within cyberspace security systems.
Arizona State University represents a prime example of this collaborative atmosphere. As one of the top research universities in the country, it boasts a strong focus on innovation and entrepreneurship, which means that it frequently partners with local tech companies to offer students a chance to get hands-on experience while still pursuing their studies.
Has Phoenix become a major tech hub? Absolutely, without question. And if things continue moving in the same direction, we might even see it challenging some well-known established centers across the United States.
About the Author: Bernadine Racoma is the Content Manager of WorkSmartr. Her experience in an international development institution and extensive travels have provided her with a wealth of knowledge and insights to cultural diversity. She writes to inform, engage, and share the idea of the internet being a useful platform for communicating, knowledge sharing, educating and entertaining.
