**Austin, Seattle, Denver Lead U.S. in STEM Job Growth Momentum**
Austin, Seattle, Denver, San Francisco, and Raleigh have emerged as the top U.S. metro areas with the strongest momentum for STEM job growth, according to the 2025 STEM Job Growth Index (STEMdex) released by RCLCO Real Estate Consulting. Austin secures the top position for the fourth consecutive year in this annual ranking.
The 2025 index shows little change from 2024, but notable shifts include the entry of Tampa and Jacksonville into the top 20—marking the first time these Florida cities have appeared on the list. They replace Phoenix and St. Louis, which had featured in previous years’ rankings.
“STEM occupations, supported by a highly educated and innovative workforce, are among the most economically influential and highest-paying in any market,” said Gregg Logan, Managing Director at RCLCO. “Their expansion not only creates quality jobs but also drives innovation, attracts investment, and shapes long-term housing and infrastructure demand. The STEMdex provides a clear and practical framework for understanding how STEM-driven growth will influence the economic trajectory of cities across the country.”
First published in 2016, the STEMdex ranks metro areas based on key metrics across four major categories: STEM Trends and Economic Factors, Workforce Quality, Quality of Life and Health, and Business Climate—all of which play a vital role in supporting and sustaining job growth in STEM-related fields.
