Maryland’s tech workforce grew 8.42 percent between May 2021 and April 2022—the highest growth rate among the states. The data comes from a new report: “Tech Workforce Trends: The Migration of Tech Jobs Since The Pandemic ,” issued by the Technology Councils of North America (TECNA). Maryland tied with one other state for the lowest gender gap among tech workers at 38 percent. Read the Executive Summary from TECNA’s report here.

TECNA’s report did not produce qualifiable data for potential drivers of migration. Conversations with Maryland tech workers, however, reinforce that potential for career advancement and great quality of life allure them to the area.

For Lauren Mazzoli, software engineer at Northrop Grumman, working in Maryland meant greater opportunities to be challenged and continuously growing in the field. Other tech industry professionals, like Brad Hennessie, CEO of the startup Next Step Robotics, say the area’s diversity, strong schools, and overall quality of life help sell the state.

Prior to the pandemic, the state recognized the need for on-going workforce attraction and retention; since 2018, Maryland has continuously promoted the state to high-tech workers in correlation with the Open for Business advertising campaign targeting businesses. The workforce attraction effort, which touts Maryland’s quality of life and career opportunities, reaches millions of high-tech workers and students annually.