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Software Engineering Talent: Supply vs Demand in Alabama.

1.45% of US computer science grads come from Alabama each year. Discover where most of them come from, and their job prospects. Identify emerging talent hubs, in-demand skills, and salary progression patterns.

Compare Alabama with another state
15.6k
Job Listings1.48m national total
1.9k
Graduates137.5k national total
43
Educational Institutions2,022 national total
7.9
Jobs per graduate10.8 national average
38%
Entry level jobs29% national average
$110k
Average Salary$129k national average
We analyzed data from:Graduate data - National Center for Education Statistics (2022)Employment data - Online job listings (2023)Composite Cost of Living - Index Q1 (2024)Population data - US Census Bureau (2022)

Where are Alabama computer science grads coming from?

Top cities producing the most CS grads

Tanner, Auburn and Birmingham produced the highest number of CS grads. This represents 42.31% of the total CS grads from Alabama.

Uncover other talent hubs with this interactive map.

Curious how this data compares to another state?
Use our comparison tool below.

Top institutions producing the most CS grads

Alabama produces 1,976 of CS grads each year.

We've identified the top institutions supplying the highest number of future software engineers. John C Calhoun State Community College came out on top, with 306 CS grads. This represents 15.49% of total grads in Alabama.

Whether you're an employer recruiting rising tech talent or a student planning your academic career, these are definitely the schools to watch.

In-demand skills & job market outlook for Alabama.

Top Alabama cities with the highest number of job opportunities

Explore the Alabama cities with the highest number of software engineering jobs.

38.47% of all job postings in Alabama come from Huntsville.

Most in-demand technical skills

Learning in-demand programming languages and technologies is essential for staying ahead of the curve in a competitive job market.

Here are the most sought-after skills in Alabama. Java was most in-demand, mentioned in 18.6% of the software engineering job postings we analyzed.

Average salary and job availability by education level

We analyzed 15,494 job postings in Alabama.

Here's an overview of how many jobs are available at each education level, and the mean salary.

Salaries by seniority in Alabama

Earning potential is an essential factor to consider when laying the groundwork for a career in software engineering.

This chart shows the median salaries for software engineers at different stages of their career.

While an entry-level software engineer in Alabama can expect to earn $80,080, that figure jumps to $143,780 for senior tech talent, representing a 79.5% increase.

Additional info about Alabama's talent landscape.

  • Rocket City’s Tech Orbit: Huntsville, Alabama—aptly nicknamed "Rocket City"—offers a unique blend of opportunity for aspiring software engineers. The city’s storied history in space exploration, anchored by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and a thriving aerospace sector, has cultivated a vibrant tech ecosystem. Here, software professionals often engage in groundbreaking projects that contribute to aerospace innovation and other cutting-edge technologies.
  • Southern Silicon Valley: While it may not have the fame of its California namesake, Alabama is cultivating its own tech corridor. From Huntsville to Birmingham, a growing network of tech companies and startups is transforming the state’s economy. This flourishing scene offers software engineers the opportunity to be part of innovative projects, all while enjoying the unique charm of Southern hospitality.
  • Affordability Meets Opportunity: Alabama offers a compelling option for tech professionals seeking a balance between career growth and quality of life. With a lower cost of living compared to traditional tech hubs, software engineers in this state can enjoy a higher standard of living while pursuing exciting career opportunities in a thriving tech scene.
  • Diverse Tech Landscape: Beyond the expected aerospace and defense sectors, Alabama's tech scene is surprisingly diverse. Software engineers can find themselves developing fintech solutions for banks, creating e-commerce platforms, or even working on the future of automotive technology. This variety allows professionals to explore different industries without leaving the state.
  • Education and Innovation Synergy: Alabama's universities are more than just educational institutions.they're innovation hubs. With strong computer science and engineering programs, these schools are fostering the next generation of tech talent. The strong relationship between academia and industry in the state creates a dynamic environment for both learning and career development.
  • Remote Work Haven: As remote work becomes more prevalent, Alabama is emerging as an attractive base for tech professionals. With its diverse natural beauty, from beaches to mountains, and growing tech infrastructure, the state offers a stunning setting for those looking to balance work with a high quality of life.

Compare Alabama with another state.

Where are the most promising opportunities? Find out how different hubs compare in terms of job availability, cost of living, and earning potential.

*Calculated based on US average of 100. Numbers higher than 100 relate to a higher cost of living.

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