DFW-Arlington Ranks No. 6 Best Large Metro for STEM Professionals

Published on July 01, 2025

By Office of Communication

DFW-Arlington was ranked the No. 6 best large metro for STEM professionals in a recent study by CoworkingCafe. The region saw the highest growth of STEM average wage among large metros between 2019-2024 (average annual salaries are $116,612), a 35.6% growth in the number of STEM jobs and 6,552 STEM establishments in the area. 

The study analyzed 138 metro areas across metrics like STEM job availability, average incomes and affordability, among others. The metro areas were split into three population categories – large (1+ million residents), mid-sized (500,000 to 999,000 residents) and small (200,000 to 499,000 residents).

Arlington’s educated, diverse workforce is contributing to the STEM field as well as the economy in the metro area and beyond. The University of Texas at Arlington and its alumni drive an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion. This year, UTA once again earned the prestigious R1 designation from the Carnegie Classifications of Institutions of Higher Education, signifying the highest level of research activity.

Full CoworkingCafe study: Top U.S. metro areas that foster STEM development