Few places have a tech scene like Atlanta, Georgia.
For those considering relocation to a thriving tech hotspot, Atlanta has a number of benefits for tech employees of all varieties.
As a tech location, Atlanta has slowly but surely risen in the rankings against other US cities due to its strong local academic talent, large number of tech incubators, and affordability (relative to other top locations).
Beyond this, Atlanta is also known to have a nurturing environment for tech startups, with a significant rise in the number of tech job offerings to account for the high number of tech businesses in the region.
So, why should you want to work in tech in Atlanta, and what do you need to know?
Atlanta’s tech scene is considered high-ranking across multiple fronts, from its tech hubs to key, big-name corporations setting up shop in the area.
Atlanta Tech Village, for example, is home to over 300 startups, has created over 7,300 jobs, and its startups have raised $1.2 billion in capital.
Beyond the advantageous hubs within Atlanta, there is also the current workforce to consider.
Between 2010 and 2019 tech employment in Georgia grew by 25.4%, with tech workers making up 7.7% of the state’s workforce.
Atlanta is also one of the most diverse tech communities in the US, with the percentage of Black or African American workers totalling 22%, Hispanic or Latino workers at 4%, and women at 28% in 2021.
An increasing number of companies are also offering options to work from home.
There was an 82% increase in the number of job postings for tech occupations that offered work from home/remote work as an option.
For those looking for job roles relating to emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, IoT and robotics, Atlanta is also an ideal location for its percentage of job postings relating to this area (29.3%).
70% of all US transactions are handled by payment processing firms located in Atlanta, with the city being nicknamed ‘Transaction Alley’.
From companies such as Pindrop and Bitpay to Global Payments, Atlanta boasts an impressive roster of big names in Fintech.
Global mobile payments are expected to reach $8.1bn in 2023, with Atlanta experiencing a significant portion of this growth.
According to the 2022 Georgia Fintech Ecosystem report, over 200 Fintech companies employ an estimated 42,000+ professionals in the state, with Atlanta being recognised globally for its market-ready innovations, such as cryptocurrency, risk assessment, and card processing.
Add in the number of big-name companies such as Apple, Microsoft, and Cisco announcing an increase in employee count in Atlanta, it’s no surprise that someone looking for a thriving career in Fintech would find one in the city.
Atlanta has been one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the US, with predictions that the metro Atlanta area will add 2.5 million people by 2040.
The city is also immensely versatile, with the Midtown and Downtown districts having a distinct bustling city feel, with skyscrapers and art deco-style buildings, compared to the luxury shopping district of Buckhead.
For professionals of all ages, Atlanta is a popular destination for career-minded people due to its thriving culture (particularly in tech, for the reasons listed above).
Another benefit of living in Atlanta is that the cost of living is reasonable when compared to other major tech locations like San Francisco.
Though it is considered to have some of the best tech jobs in the US, the cost of living in San Francisco is 62.6% higher than the US average.
Whilst apartment rentals average around $1,800 per month in Atlanta, according to LifeStorageBlog, in San Francisco the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in the city is $4,650.
Beyond the cost of living, there is also the ease of travel in Atlanta, with the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport being one of the largest transportation hubs in the world.
The state of Georgia is a top 10 state for cybersecurity, hosting more than 120 cybersecurity companies that are generating over $4.7 billion in annual revenue (almost 25% of the global security market).
A joint study by WGU and LinkedIn listed Atlanta as one of the burgeoning capitals in the US for high-paying cybersecurity careers.
From security analysts and chief information security officers to penetration testers and security administrators, there are a multitude of job roles available in Atlanta for cybersecurity professionals.
The growth potential for this area is vast and for tech professionals looking to level up in a city that will boost their professional growth, Atlanta is the perfect place.
Though Atlanta is already a fast-growing region for the tech industry, it will undoubtedly continue to grow as more companies, small and large, set up shop in the area.
Particularly as conversations continue to arise around diversity in tech, there will continue to be interest in Atlanta as a diverse and thriving tech location.
With so many job roles available at such innovative businesses, there are few better locations for you to grow your tech career in!
You want a role that matches your skills, experience, and ambitions.
Remit’s tech recruitment experts take the time to understand exactly what you’re looking for, from your ideal working environment to any skill areas you’re looking to develop, so that we can find you your perfect role in tech.
We have a number of roles available in the Atlanta area that you can check here, or you can get in touch to find out more.