Known for its cultural diversity, rich history, high quality of life, and sunny and mild climate, San Jose is the largest city in Northern California, the third largest in the state, and the tenth most populous city in the U.S. Located in Santa Clara County, approximately 50 miles from San Francisco, San Jose is tucked between the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Bay Area. 

Highly skilled workers from all over the nation and the world are drawn to San Jose, including aspiring entrepreneurs who want to take advantage of the city’s forward-thinking culture and the opportunities presented by the high-tech industry and thriving startup community. 

What attracts employers to San Jose? 

If you’re a business owner or executive, there are several reasons why you might want to consider locating your company in San Jose. 

• Tech and innovation hub: San Jose is known as the capital of Silicon Valley—the global hub of innovation, entrepreneurship, and technological advancement culture. Home to more than 6,600 technology companies, including Google, Apple, and Facebook, the region offers access to a vibrant ecosystem of startups, investors, and other businesses. 
• Skilled workforce: Boasting one of the world’s largest concentrations of highly educated and skilled workers, the city’s universities, such as San Jose State University and Santa Clara University, provide a steady talent pipeline for companies with operations nearby. 
• Infrastructure: San Jose’s robust infrastructure—including an international airport, major highways, and a public transportation system providing buses, light rail, and BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit)—makes it easy for companies to move their products in and out of the city and provides workers affordable options for commuting. 
• Business-friendly environment: San Jose’s business-friendly environment offers a streamlined permitting process, tax incentives, and supportive local government, making it easier for companies to start and grow their companies. 

What attracts job seekers to San Jose? 

In addition to being the second happiest city in the U.S., San Jose has many draws for job seekers. 

• Job opportunities: Besides being home to many of the world’s leading technology companies, San Jose has thousands of startups, with more laying down roots each year, meaning you’ll live and work in one of the world’s most exciting and dynamic regions. Job growth in the market has increased by 13.7 percent in the past ten years—more than double the national average—and future job growth is estimated at 38.9 percent. 
• High wages: Salaries in San Jose are among the highest in the United States, averaging $125,075. 
• A large city with a small-town feel: San Jose is the largest city in Northern California and the third largest in the state, offering a buzzing downtown district and a friendly, small-town feel with a laid-back atmosphere and diverse neighborhoods. 
• High quality of life: San Jose consistently ranks among the top cities in the United States for quality of life. In fact, the U.S. News and World Report ranked San Jose fourth in the nation in its 2023-2024 Best Places to Live for Quality of Life list and first on its Best Places to Live in California. The city has a strong economy, excellent public schools, and a thriving arts and culture scene. 
• Cultural diversity: San Jose is the ninth most culturally diverse city in the United States, with a population that includes people from all over the world. The city’s diverse population includes people of different races, ethnicities, nationalities, and religions. 
• Rich history: Despite its modern, forward-thinking culture, the city remains proud of its rich history dating back to the Spanish colonial era. The city celebrates this diversity through many cultural events and festivals, such as the San Jose Jazz Festival and Silicon Valley Pride Parade, and landmarks, including the historic Peralta Adobe and Fallon House, San Jose Museum of Art, and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library. 
• Proximity to nature: Surrounded by beautiful scenery, including the Santa Cruz Mountains to the west, San Jose offers hiking and biking trails, several parks and green spaces, and the nearby beaches of Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Francisco. 

Are you an employer or job seeker contemplating expanding or relocating to the San Jose area? Download Acara’s latest infographic for more labor force statistics, including top growing occupations, largest industries, and employment data, and learn more about the talent acquisition solutions we offer out of our San Jose office. 

This blog was authored by Acara Account Executive Han Nguyen.