Technology
Bakersfield Tech Startups Attract $500M, Create 250+ IT Jobs
Over 250 startups and half a billion dollars in activity have expanded local IT openings tracked on major job boards.
How we reported this
Bakersfield lists over 50 active technology job openings right now, including 71 Information Technology roles and 53 entry-level IT positions on Indeed. These numbers sit against a backdrop of more than 250 tech startups recorded in 2025 that generated $500 million in annual economic impact and created more than 3,000 jobs.
The funding totals matter because they coincide with a job market expanding 12 percent faster than the national average and showing a 15 percent rise in tech positions since 2020. Local employers posting roles today include Kern Community College District, Clinica Sierra Vista, Grimmway Produce Group, UEI College and Sante Health Partners. A $50 million Tech Innovation District remains under development, while a city grant of $250,000 went to BIOS Health in May 2025.
Local Employers and Salary Ranges
Hybrid positions such as Associate Director, Information Technology Infrastructure at Kern Community College District carry salaries of $134,531 to $190,090. Entry-level Help Desk Support Specialist roles at Grimmway Produce Group pay $24 to $27 per hour. Common titles appearing in current listings include Senior IT Operations Specialist, Network Technician and Desktop IT Support, many of them remote or hourly.
LinkedIn data referenced in July 2026 showed 732 technical jobs citywide alongside the narrower 23 to 71 information technology counts. Average tech salaries stand at $85,000, 40 percent above the local median income, with entry-level cybersecurity roles beginning at $90,367 and some Cloud Architect positions exceeding $200,000.
Qualifications and Next Steps
Entry-level candidates usually need an IT certificate, associate degree or credentials such as A+, MCP or MCSE. Senior roles generally call for a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. The cost of living sits 30 percent below the California average, with median home prices near $350,000, which continues to draw applicants from higher-cost regions.
Job seekers can review current postings on Indeed and ZipRecruiter, match their credentials to the listed requirements, and monitor openings at the five major local employers already hiring. Over 50 tech events held annually in the city provide additional networking routes for those entering the market.