INFORMATIONTECHNOLOGY
Charlotte has become a destination city for technology talent, becoming the fastest growing tech momentum market this decade, according to real estate firm CBRE. With a large concentration of financial services and health care institutions, the Charlotte area is poised to take advantage of technological innovation in many industries.
• More than 45,000 technology workers across all industries
• Core tech talent increased by 77% from 2011 to 2016, the fastest growth in the U.S.*
• Growing Financial Technology (FinTech) hub with presence of two of top 10 highest valued FinTech firms, AvidXchange and Credit Karma**
W W W . C H A R L O T T E C H A M B E R . C O M
Q3 2017
*Source: CBRE**Source: Forbes Magazine
M A J O R T E C H E M P L O Y E R S
Source: Charlotte Chamber Data, Industry databases, Business Wise; *Announced expansion & addition of 314 new jobs in November 2016
COMPANYREGIONAL
EMPLOYMENT COUNTY
Accenture, LLC 1,500 Mecklenburg
Microsoft Corp 1,100 Mecklenburg
Optum Inc. 1,100 Cabarrus
Synchrony Financial 975 Mecklenburg
AvidXchange Inc. 900 Mecklenburg
McKesson Technology Solutions 375 Mecklenburg
LendingTree 270* Mecklenburg
Peak 10, Inc. 250 Mecklenburg
Aktion Associates, Inc. 150 Mecklenburg
Velocitor Solutions 150 Mecklenburg
INDUSTRYMSA
EMPLOYMENTAVG. ANNUAL
WAGES
PROJECTED ANNUAL GROWTH BY 2027
Computer Systems Design Services 8,518 $90,384 2.9%
Data Processing, Hosting & Related Services 7,882 $98,604 1.6%
Custom Computer Programming Services 6,484 $90,604 1.6%
Software Publishers 3,499 $124,589 3.2%
Other Computer Related Services 1,028 $92,763 2.9%
Internet Publishing/Broadcasting &
Web Search Portals615 $74,921 2.3%
Computer Facilities Management Services 264 $77,340 2.9%
I T S U B - I N D U S T R Y C O N C E N T R AT I O N S
Source: JobsEQ, Q1 2017
With large presence of technology giants such as Microsoft, HP Enterprise Services and Cisco Systems, IT is an established industry in Charlotte. But our diverse technology talent drives innovation in many other industries, too.
The financial technology, or FinTech, sector provides an example. With nearly 11 percent of Charlotte’s technology talent working in financial services, FinTech has emerged as a growing industry with around 40 firms in our area. Tech companies serving the health care and manufacturing industries make up a large portion of
Charlotte’s tech community as well. Many of the city’s most successful entrepreneurs began their careers at large companies in the financial services, health care and other sectors. These entrepreneurs have taken their expertise from many industries and developed tech-based solutions to solve problems in their fields.
Charlotte’s community leaders and industry experts promote a culture of innovation. In fact, Charlotte was named the No. 2 city on Inc.com’s list of “Four Cities You Didn’t Know were Startup Hotbeds.” With a diversified workforce, a wide variety of science,
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGYINFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
RANKED THE #1 TECH MOMENTUM MARKET FOR TECH-RELATED JOB GROWTH IN 2011-2016.
Source: CBRE
technology, engineering and math (STEM) education programs, and a range of accelerator and incubator programs, Charlotte is poised to grow its status as a hub for technology and innovation.
Photo by David Jaffe
OCCUPATION2017 MSA
EMPLOYMENTAVERAGE
WAGES
CURRENT ONLINE JOB ADS
AS OF 7/1/2017
PROJECTED ANNUAL GROWTH BY 2027
Computer Systems Analysts 8,400 $92,900 377 2.7%
Software & App Developers 7,608 $100,400 1,425 2.6%
Computer User Support Specialists 6,277 $54,700 1,969 1.9%
Computer & Information Systems Managers 4,221 $143,100 211 2.4%
Software Developers, Systems Software 3,617 $111,000 35 2.2%
Network and Computer Systems Administrators 3,561 $82,200 756 1.5%
Computer Programmers 2,775 $91,700 71 -0.1%
Information Security Analysts 1,893 $104,100 510 2.3%
Computer Network Support Specialists 1,840 $56,300 0 1.5%
Computer Network Architects 1,623 $112,300 46 1.7%
Web Developers 1,538 $74,200 768 3.3%
Computer Occupations, All Other 1,174 $74,200 319 2.0%
Database Administrators 1,149 $92,800 319 2.4%
Computer & Information Research Scientists 156 $116,400 48 2.4%
TOTAL CORE TECH TALENT 45,832 $94,900 9,789 2.1%
Source: JobsEQ, Q1 2017
T O P C O R E T E C H TA L E N T O C C U P AT I O N S
MORE THAN
1,700 CORE
TECHNOLOGY-
RELATED DEGREES
AND CERTIFICATES
AWARDED
ANNUALLY.Source: IPEDS and institutions, JobsEQ
ADVANTAGES OF DOING BUSINESS IN CHARLOTTEADVANTAGES OF DOING BUSINESS IN CHARLOTTE
ACCESS A central location on the U.S. East Coast and the sixth busiest global airport put the world within Charlotte’s reach. 53% of the US population lives within 12 hours trucking distance or a two-hour flight, and with more than 700 daily nonstop flights to 150-plus destinations,
nowhere is too far away.
TALENTCharlotte’s companies rely on a talented, young and growing workforce. The region’s 23 colleges and universities, plus 18 community colleges and vocational schools offer training for all types of skills and occupations.
AFFORDABILITYComprehensive tax reform has brought North Carolina one of the lowest flat corporate tax rates at 3% in the nation as of 2017. North Carolina regularly ranks high in business friendliness.
QUALITY OF LIFECharlotte consistently ranks high as a destination city for all ages. More than 33,000 newcomers arrive in the Charlotte area each year, drawn by career opportunities, diverse living options and a cost of living 94.8 percent of the national average.
3X THE NATIONAL AVERAGE OF INFORMATION SECURITY ANALYSTS IN MECKLENBURG COUNTY.
Source: JobsEQ, Q1 2017
W W W . C H A R L O T T E C H A M B E R . C O M
Once an industrial area adjacent to Uptown Charlotte, the
2,2502,250 J O B E X P A N S I O N INCLUDING TECH JOBS 249249 T E C H N O L O G Y
CONSULTING JOBS
300 ADDITIONAL INTERNET MARKETING FIRM JOBS300
INDUSTRY DISTRIBUTION OF CORE TECHNOLOGY WORKERS IN CHARLOTTE MSA
INDUSTRY DISTRIBUTION OF CORE TECHNOLOGY WORKERS IN CHARLOTTE MSA
28.9%CORE HIGH-TECH*
11.5%HEADQUARTERS
10.7%FINANCE AND
INSURANCE
13.7%CONSULTING AND OTHER SERVICES
8.0%INFORMATION
(NON-CORE HIGH TECH)
5.8%MANUFACTURERS
5.6%ADMINISTRATIVE
SUPPORT SERVICES
4.6%WHOLESALE
TRADE
2.7%EDUCATION 2.5%
HEALTHCARE
1.7%GOVERNMENT
More than 45,000 people work in core technology occupations in the Charlotte area, but only 29 percent of those work for classic core high-tech companies. Technology talent cuts across all industries in Charlotte, with particularly high concentrations in professional services, headquarters and finance and insurance.
*Core high-tech industries defined as NAICS Code 3341 Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing, 5112 Software Publisehrs, 5182 Data Processing, Hosting and Related Services, and 5415 Computer Systems Design and Related Services
Source: JobsEQ, Q1 2017
Applied Innovation Corridor in the emerging North End offers land and buildings with historic character ripe for redevelopment. The area is also primed for economic growth with the opening of the Lynx Blue Line Extension light rail. This transit connection will link the 28,000-student UNC Charlotte with the major employment hub of uptown. Incentives are available for qualifying technology businesses.
A P P L I E D I N N OVAT I O N C O R R I D O R A P P L I E D I N N OVAT I O N C O R R I D O R
M A J O R T E C H N O L O G Y A N N O U N C E M E N T S I N 2016 - 2017