1. Madison, Wis.

Tech Employment Growth, 2015-2016: 30.2 percent

Change in Momentum, 2013-2016: 24.8 percent

The capital of the Badger State had an average annual salary of $77,773 for technology occupations last year, with 51 percent growth in IT jobs from 2011 to 2016. Meanwhile, non-technology jobs rose less than 16 percent and posted an average annual salary of $54,052. Having a skilled talent pool helps; 55 percent of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the number of technology degrees grew nearly 32 percent from 2011 to 2015, according to data CBRE cited from the National Center for Education Statistics.