CBRE Report Places San Diego Among Nation’s Top 25 Tech Talent Markets

CBRE Report Places San Diego Among Nation’s Top 25 Tech Talent Markets

San Diego has secured a position in the top 25 of CBRE Group’s annual Scoring Tech Talent report, the latest edition of the commercial real estate firm’s widely followed ranking of North American markets for technology talent. The report, published by CBRE Group, evaluates metropolitan areas on their ability to produce, attract, and retain skilled technology workers — a factor that has become closely tied to office demand and long-term real estate investment across the country.

The annual study is one of the most frequently cited benchmarks for how cities compete in the technology sector. Markets that score well tend to benefit from sustained hiring by tech employers, which in turn supports office leasing, apartment demand, and broader commercial activity. For San Diego, a top-25 placement underscores the region’s continued presence among established second-tier tech hubs, alongside its strengths in biotechnology, defense, and telecommunications research.

Why Tech Talent Rankings Matter to Real Estate

For real estate investors and office landlords, tech talent concentration is often treated as a proxy for future demand. Cities that consistently rank highly in CBRE’s analysis have historically attracted corporate expansions, venture-backed startups, and campus-style office developments. Rankings like this one also influence site-selection decisions for companies weighing where to open new engineering or research offices.

CBRE, which publishes the report as part of its research platform, is one of the largest commercial real estate services firms in the world. The company operates across four segments — Advisory Services, Building Operations and Experience, Project Management, and Real Estate Investments — spanning the United States, the United Kingdom, and international markets. Its stock traded at $142.06 in recent trading, down 1.66% from a previous close of $144.46, valuing the company at roughly $43.67 billion.

The Scoring Tech Talent report examines metrics such as tech degree completions, job postings, talent concentration relative to overall employment, and cost measures including salary levels and occupancy expenses. While a top-25 ranking signals durability, the competitive landscape among mid-sized tech markets remains tight, with regions vying for a limited pool of skilled workers and expansion projects.

For San Diego’s commercial property market, the recognition arrives at a time when office demand nationally is uneven and tenants remain selective about location, amenities, and cost. Markets with strong talent pipelines have generally fared better in retaining occupiers than those dependent on a narrower set of industries.

What to watch

• The next edition of CBRE’s Scoring Tech Talent report and whether San Diego holds or improves its position.
• Quarterly commentary from CBRE on office leasing trends in tech-driven markets.
• Major tech employer announcements or expansions in the San Diego region.

Source: original release