What's happened
CBRE data shows New York has the most tech talent, edging out the San Francisco Bay Area for the first time. AI roles drive hiring and office leasing in major markets, with New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and Toronto leading in AI jobs.
What's behind the headline?
Analysis
- AI is reshaping where tech workers are concentrated, not just how many.
- New York’s growth reflects a shift from pure tech to finance-and-AI integration, while SF remains strong in AI share.
- The leasing boom in Manhattan and other AI-heavy markets signals a broader office-market recovery tied to technology and automation.
- This matters to readers as it hints at where job opportunities and office space costs may trend in coming months.
How we got here
CBRE’s 13-year analysis tracks tech-talent by market in the U.S. and Canada. The latest data show New York surpassing San Francisco in tech headcount due to finance sector hires and AI growth, while SF leads in AI concentration. Office leasing is rising in markets with strong AI demand.
Our analysis
CNBC reports CBRE’s market-by-market breakdown, noting NY leads in total tech employment while SF dominates AI concentration. CNBC’s Diana Olick highlights 58% of SF leasing tied to AI and notes office-centric growth in AI roles.
Go deeper
- What cities are gaining AI payrolls fastest in the next 6 months?
- Should investors target AI-heavy markets like NYC or SF for office space?
- How might this shift affect tech wages and real estate pricing in your area?
More on these topics
-
CNBC - Television channel
CNBC is an American pay television business news channel that is owned by NBCUniversal Worldwide News Group, a division of NBCUniversal, with both being ultimately owned by Comcast.
-
San Francisco - City in California
San Francisco, officially the City and County of San Francisco and colloquially known as The City, SF, or Frisco and San Fran, is the cultural, commercial, and financial center of Northern California.