Dallas-Fort Worth continues to be a big draw for tech companies and tech workers as a place to succeed, grow, and have a good life, according to the CompTIA Tech Town Index 2019. The association called DFW a “pot of gold” for future tech talent.

The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro area ranked No. 7 among the nation’s Top 20 Best Tech Cities for IT jobs in this year’s index, one spot away from its No. 6 ranking in the 2018 index. Austin ranked No. 1 on the 2019 list, rising from No. 3 last year. Charlotte, N.C., last year’s top-ranked Tech Town, fell to sixth this year.

In the index, the Computing Technology Industry Association examined how IT wages compare with the cost of living in what it considers tech centers. CompTIA measured job opportunities and growth in 20 metro areas with populations over 250,000 where the demand for tech workers is the greatest.

“The 2019 Tech Town Index includes a mix of traditional tech hubs, cities that have in recent years flexed their tech industry muscles and new markets that are staking their claims as budding innovation centers,” Nancy Hammervik, executive vice president for industry relations at CompTIA, said in a statement. “The clear takeaway is that there are opportunities for challenging, rewarding and well-paying tech jobs across the United State. Whether you’re working in IT today, or contemplating employment in tech, there’s a great chance that you can find a locale that offers you the opportunity to attain your career aspirations while living in an environment that accommodates your lifestyle preference.”

Dallas-Fort Worth clearly fits that bill. We’re a place that has a cost of living that is 1.1 percent lower than the national average and where IT pros are paid $4,781 more a year than other regions.

The region is becoming a great place to launch a startup, CompTIA said, while still being home to corporate giants such as American Airlines, Toyota USA, Southwest Airlines, and Exxon Mobil.

In the past 12 months, Dallas-based companies posted nearly 134,000 tech jobs, CompTIA said. And, the number of IT jobs is expected to grow by 10 percent over the next five years. The top two most in-demand jobs posted in the area are software development engineers and Java developers. IT pros in Dallas make a median salary of $93,058.

Who’s hiring those IT pros? CompTIA identified JPMorgan Chase, Verizon, NTT Data, IBM, Bank of America, Infosys, Citi, Raytheon, Charles Schwab, and InfoVision.

And, what about quality of life? CompTIA said that Dallas-Fort Worth is home to plenty of live music and sports that attract young professionals, while the suburban cities tend to appeal to young families. 

Because it’s an attractive jobs center, the population is booming, too. In 2005, the population was roughly 5.8 million, while now, more than 7.1 million people call the region home. 

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