Historic Shift: New York Surpasses San Francisco Bay Area as the Tech Job Capital

Commercial real estate firm CBRE has released its annual ‘Scoring Tech Talent’ report, which ranks the top markets for tech jobs in the US and Canada. This year’s survey reveals a significant shift in the tech job landscape, with New York City emerging as the new leader, surpassing the San Francisco Bay Area for the first time in the report’s 13-year history.

According to the report, New York City now boasts the highest number of tech jobs, with a total of 394,300 positions, compared to the Bay Area’s 375,730. This milestone marks a significant turning point in the tech industry, as New York’s growth is largely attributed to the expansion of finance and AI sectors, which have been driving the demand for skilled tech talent.

CBRE’s report highlights the dynamic expansion of AI, which has been fueled by substantial investments in the sector. This has led to the creation of new job opportunities, with AI companies requiring full-time, in-person work commitments. As a result, New York has seen a significant increase in commercial occupancy, with many companies relocating to the city to take advantage of its thriving tech ecosystem.

One of the key factors contributing to the shift in the tech job landscape is the decline of remote work arrangements. The report notes that fully remote arrangements for new roles have declined as employers moved to hybrid schedules of three or more days in the office. This change is particularly evident in the San Francisco Bay Area, where remote job postings fell to 7% as of April 2026, compared to 24% in mid-2022.

Despite the widespread layoffs at tech giants such as Meta, Amazon, and Google, the total tech employment grew by 1.8% last year, adding 108,760 jobs. AI roles accounted for the majority of those gains, with the sector growing by 45% over the past year. San Francisco and New York each added more than 20,000 AI-oriented jobs in that span, CBRE said.

As the tech industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how the job market adapts to the changing landscape. Will other cities follow in New York’s footsteps, or will the Bay Area regain its position as the tech job capital? Only time will tell.

In the meantime, the ‘Scoring Tech Talent’ report provides valuable insights into the current state of the tech job market, highlighting the growth of AI and the shift towards in-person work arrangements. As the industry continues to navigate these changes, it is essential to stay informed about the latest trends and developments.

The report’s findings have significant implications for tech companies, job seekers, and policymakers alike. As the industry continues to evolve, it will be crucial to adapt to the changing needs of the workforce and the growing demand for skilled tech talent.