#United States #Austin #STEMdex #RCLCO

Top 20 Cities for STEM Job Growth Announced in RCLCO's 2025 Annual STEMdex

The realm of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) is ever-evolving, with cities across the United States vying for the top spots in job growth within this dynamic sector. The recent announcement from RCLCO Real Estate Consulting unveils the findings from their 2025 STEM Job Growth Index, known as the STEMdex, which identifies the metropolitan areas with promising prospects for STEM employment.

Findings of the 2025 STEMdex

Published annually since 2016, the STEMdex relies on thorough analysis of numerous economic metrics across the largest metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) in the nation. It highlights which regions are likely to attract both jobs and talent in STEM fields, emphasizing the importance of an educated and innovative workforce.

Gregg Logan, Managing Director at RCLCO remarked, “The STEMdex outlines not just the current leaders in STEM employment, but also those markets gearing up for significant future growth.” This focus on STEM occupations is crucial as it not only nurtures quality job creation but also fuels innovation and spearheads investments that ultimately influence housing and infrastructure demands in various cities.

Key Highlights of This Year’s Index

In 2025, Austin, Texas, upheld its position as the leading city for STEM job growth, consistently ranking first for four consecutive years and seven times in total over the last nine years. Other notable entrants in the top 20 include Tampa and Jacksonville, which marked their debut in the index this year. Interestingly, among the largest fifty MSAs, San Jose leads in the concentration of STEM jobs, underlining the competitive nature of these markets.

Austin outperformed other cities in economic factors, while Seattle excelled in workforce quality. Salt Lake City was noted for its quality of life, and Dallas achieved the best business climate. The most densely populated STEM job markets, such as San Jose, San Francisco, and Seattle, also feature prominently in the projected job growth rankings.

Ranked Cities for STEM Job Growth

The 2025 STEMdex showcases the following top 20 cities:

1. Austin, TX
2. Seattle, WA
3. Raleigh, NC
4. Denver, CO
5. Boston, MA
6. San Jose, CA
7. Washington, DC
8. San Francisco, CA
9. Dallas, TX
10. Charlotte, NC
11. Portland, OR
12. Nashville, TN
13. Salt Lake City, UT
14. Orlando, FL
15. Atlanta, GA
16. Minneapolis, MN
17. Richmond, VA
18. Baltimore, MD
19. Tampa, FL
20. Jacksonville, FL

This year’s index saw Tampa and Jacksonville taking the place of Phoenix and St. Louis, who fell out of the top 20. Boston and Charlotte also made significant gains, improving their ranks considerably compared to the previous year.

Conclusion

The implications of the STEMdex findings are vast, as they point to a trend that not only shapes local economies but also attracts talent and investment on a grand scale. RCLCO's comprehensive analysis and the resulting insights play a pivotal role for real estate developers and policymakers aiming to align their strategies with the evolving demands and opportunities presented by the STEM job market.

For further details and to read the complete index, check out RCLCO's website, which provides a wealth of information about the ongoing trends and future projections in the STEM job landscape across the U.S.