Ready to work!
When individuals are ready to move
from the classroom to the working
world, Southern California has plenty
to offer. The tech/med-tech workforce
developed over several decades on the
heels of defense and aerospace
developments, the media industry,
and continued investment in local
medical research institutes. The talent
pool is now one of the largest and
most diverse in the nation.
Looking at tech jobs specifically, the
region has recorded a significant boost
in the number of computer and math
professionals, with Orange County
leading the way. The Southern
California region boasts a tech-skilled
workforce of 225,780, only behind New
York-Newark-Jersey City (289,130) and
the Bay Area (265,930), while ahead of
Chicago (149,500), Boston (133,660),
and Seattle (125,650).
Growth in the number of professionals
is tied to the increasing amount of
tech companies in the region.
Southern California outpaced the
national trend in company growth,
with the number of establishments
increasing by 60.2 percent since 2011.
Tenant requirements for tech total
more than 525,000 square feet in San
Diego, 700,000 square feet in Orange
County, and nearly 1 million square
feet in Los Angeles, clearly indicating
strong demand for space.
Employees in computer or math occupations
220,000
210,000
200,000
190,000
180,000
170,000
160,000
2011
2016
Source: JLL Research, BLS
Technology firms by the numbers
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
2011
Source: JLL Research, BLS
2016