New York Overtakes San Francisco as Tech Talent Hub

The transition stems from a divergence in regional hiring trends. While the Bay Area has navigated a period of workforce contraction, New York’s traditional finance sector has aggressively integrated technology professionals, particularly those specializing in artificial intelligence. Colin Yasukochi, executive director of CBRE’s Tech Insights Center, noted that the growth in New York is largely driven by financial institutions seeking to bolster their AI capabilities.

Despite New York’s lead in total tech employment, San Francisco remains the primary engine for pure AI development. The report highlights that both cities added over 20,000 AI-specific roles since mid-2025. Across the U.S. and Canada, AI-related positions now comprise nearly one-third of all tech job listings. This influx of specialized labor is exerting pressure on office leasing in major urban centers, as firms prioritize proximity to these growing talent pools.