Software Developer Career Guide: Akron, OH

If you’re a software developer eyeing a move to Northeast Ohio, Akron offers a compelling blend of affordability, emerging tech opportunities, and a surprisingly robust healthcare and manufacturing tech scene. I’ve lived here for years, watched the city evolve from its rubber and tire legacy into a hub for polymer science, medical devices, and advanced manufacturing. It’s not Silicon Valley, but for a developer who values a reasonable cost of living and a tight-knit professional community, it’s a serious contender. Let’s break down the numbers, the neighborhoods, and the real day-to-day of building a tech career in Akron.

The Salary Picture: Where Akron Stands

Akron’s tech salaries are solid for the Midwest, though they trail national averages and some larger Ohio metros. The median salary for a Software Developer in Akron is $124,511/year, which translates to an hourly rate of $59.86. This is slightly below the national average of $127,260, but the lower cost of living more than compensates. The Akron metro area, with a population of 188,692, supports 1,132 software developer jobs, with a 10-year job growth of 17%—a healthy indicator of stability and opportunity.

Here’s how compensation typically breaks down by experience level. These are estimates based on local job postings and industry data, reflecting the Akron market specifically.

Experience Level	Typical Years	Salary Range (Akron)	Notes
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$75,000 - $95,000	Often at larger corporations or healthcare systems. Strong foundational skills in Java, C#, or Python are key.
Mid-Level	3-7 years	$95,000 - $125,000	The sweet spot for many local roles. Specialization in cloud (AWS/Azure), DevOps, or full-stack development pushes you to the higher end.
Senior-Level	8-12 years	$125,000 - $155,000	Leads teams or architects systems. Premiums for legacy system modernization (common in manufacturing) and security clearances (for defense contractors).
Expert/Principal	13+ years	$155,000 - $185,000+	Rare, typically at national HQs like Goodyear or in specialized R&D (e.g., medical devices at Akron Children’s). Often includes equity or bonuses.

How Akron Compares to Other Ohio Cities:

• Columbus: Higher median salary (approx. $129,000) with more fintech and insurance roles, but rent is 30-40% higher.
• Cleveland: Similar salary range, but a larger, more competitive market with a stronger focus on healthcare (Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals) and insurance (Progressive).
• Cincinnati: Slightly lower median salary (approx. $121,000) but comparable cost of living. Strong in logistics and consumer goods tech (P&G, Kroger).
• Cincinnati & Cleveland: Both have more mature, dense tech scenes. Akron’s advantage is a lower barrier to entry and less saturation in certain niches.

Insider Tip: The median salary of $124,511 is your anchor. In Akron, you can often negotiate a higher base by leveraging experience in specific, high-demand areas for local employers—like industrial IoT, cloud migration for legacy systems, or EHR (Electronic Health Record) integration for healthcare systems. Don’t just look at the job title; look at the employer’s industry.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get real about your monthly budget. A software developer earning the median $124,511/year in Akron has significant purchasing power. Here’s a breakdown of the take-home pay and expenses.

Assumptions: Single filer, Ohio state income tax (approx. 3.5%), federal income tax (approx. 22%), FICA (7.65%). This is a conservative estimate; your actual take-home will vary based on deductions (health insurance, 401k, etc.).

• Gross Annual Salary: $124,511
• Estimated Monthly Take-Home (after taxes): ~$7,300

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Software Developer, $124,511):

Expense Category	Estimated Cost	Details & Local Context
Rent (1BR Apt)	$816	The city average. You can find clean, safe 1BRs in good neighborhoods for this price. Utilities add ~$150.
Groceries & Dining	$500	Akron has a solid local food scene. $400 for groceries, $100 for dining out (e.g., Bricco, The Waterford).
Utilities	$150	Includes electricity, gas, water, and high-speed internet (AT&T or Spectrum, ~$60/month).
Transportation	$400	Assumes a car payment/insurance (~$350) + gas ($50). Public transit (METRO RTA) is limited; a car is almost essential.
Health Insurance	$200	Varies widely. Many employers cover a significant portion.
Debt/Loans	$500	Student loans or credit card debt. Adjust as needed.
Discretionary/Savings	$5,234	This is your power zone. With low core costs, you can aggressively save, invest, or pay down debt.

Can They Afford to Buy a Home?
Absolutely. With a take-home of ~$7,300 and core expenses under $2,500, you have a massive surplus. The median home price in Akron is around $160,000 - $180,000. A 20% down payment ($32k-$36k) is achievable within 1-2 years of disciplined saving. A monthly mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) on a $160k home could be as low as $1,100-$1,250. This is highly manageable on a developer’s salary, allowing for a comfortable lifestyle and rapid wealth building.

Insider Tip: The Cost of Living Index of 92.8 (U.S. avg = 100) means your dollar goes about 7.2% further than the national average. This isn’t just cheap rent; it’s cheaper groceries, services, and taxes. Your effective purchasing power in Akron is notably higher than in Columbus or Cleveland.

Where the Jobs Are: Akron's Major Employers

Akron’s tech job market is anchored by a mix of Fortune 500 corporations, world-class healthcare systems, and innovative research institutions. Hiring trends show a steady demand for developers who can bridge the gap between traditional industry and modern tech.

1. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (HQ): A massive employer. They’re on a multi-year digital transformation journey, hiring for cloud engineers, data scientists (for tire analytics), and enterprise software developers for their global supply chain. Hiring Trend: Growing, with a focus on AWS and modernizing legacy SAP systems.

2. Summa Health & Akron Children’s Hospital: The two major healthcare systems. They need developers for EHR integration (Epic, Cerner), patient portal apps, and internal data systems. Hiring Trend: Steady and recession-resistant. Skills in HL7, FHIR, and security (HIPAA) are gold.

3. The University of Akron: A major R&D hub, especially in polymer science and engineering. The university and its affiliated research parks (e.g., the Akron Polymer Innovation Center) hire for research software positions, HPC (High-Performance Computing), and grant-funded project development. Hiring Trend: Niche but growing, especially in scientific computing and data visualization.

4. FirstEnergy (HQ in Akron): A major utility company. They hire for grid modernization projects, smart grid software, and customer-facing digital platforms. Hiring Trend: Stable, with a push towards renewable energy and infrastructure tech.

5. Hyland Software (HQ in Westlake, 30 min north): While not in Akron proper, it’s a dominant regional force. A leader in enterprise content management (ECM), they hire aggressively for Java/.NET developers, QA engineers, and product managers. Hiring Trend: Very active. Their headquarters in Westlake means a commute, but the opportunities are substantial.

6. Local Tech Agencies & Startups: Agencies like Nmotion and Bourne (marketing tech) hire for web and app development. The startup scene is nascent but growing, often spinning out of the university or healthcare. Check Bounce Innovation Hub for emerging companies.

Insider Tip: Defense contractors like Meggitt (sensory systems) or BAE Systems (local operations) sometimes require security clearances, which can command a 10-15% salary premium. It’s a hidden gem for those with clearance eligibility.

Getting Licensed in OH

For Software Developers, Ohio has no state-specific occupational license. This is a huge advantage. You do not need a "Software Developer License" from the Ohio Department of Commerce or any state board to practice.

What You Do Need to Know:

1. Professional Engineer (PE) License: This is ONLY relevant if you work on certain regulated systems (e.g., safety-critical infrastructure, licensed medical devices). Most pure software roles do not require it. The path is rigorous: ABET-accredited degree (or equivalent), FE exam, 4 years of experience, PE exam. Cost: ~$500 for exams, plus fees.
2. Contractor Licenses: If you plan to start your own business as a general contractor doing IT installations, you’d need a state license. For pure software consulting, you typically just register as an LLC with the Ohio Secretary of State.
3. Background Checks: Common for corporate roles, especially in finance or healthcare. Costs are usually covered by the employer.

Timeline to Get Started: You can start applying and interviewing immediately. There is no mandatory "waiting period" or certification process to work as a software developer in Ohio.

Insider Tip: If you’re considering a move, get your resume polished and start applying 2-3 months in advance. The hiring process for corporate roles in Akron can be slower than in coastal tech hubs, often involving multiple interviews over several weeks.

Best Neighborhoods for Software Developers

Akron is highly car-dependent, but your commute can be manageable. Here’s a breakdown of neighborhoods by lifestyle and commute.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	1BR Rent Estimate	Best For
Downtown Akron	Urban, walkable to bars/restaurants. 5-10 min commute to most employers.	$900 - $1,200	Young professionals who want city life, easy access to the canal park, and a short walk to pubs like Mustard Seed or Muggswigz.
Fairlawn	Suburban, safe, excellent schools. 15-20 min commute to most offices.	$850 - $1,050	Families or those prioritizing safety and top-rated schools (Revere Local). Close to shopping and major employers like Goodyear.
Cuyahoga Falls	Riverfront town, charming downtown with parks. 15-25 min commute.	$800 - $1,000	Outdoor enthusiasts. A great balance of suburban comfort and a walkable downtown scene. Commute to Fairlawn or downtown is easy via Route 8.
Montrose	Commercial hub, near Summit Mall. 10-18 min commute.	$750 - $950	Convenience shoppers. Close to grocery stores, restaurants, and the main arteries (I-77, I-277). Less "neighborhoody," more strip-mall.
West Akron (Firestone Park)	Older, established, more affordable. 10-15 min commute.	$700 - $900	Budget-conscious buyers/renters. Stable, blue-collar roots, but improving. Close to Goodyear’s world HQ.

Insider Tip: If you work at Goodyear or in the Fairlawn business corridor, living in Fairlawn or Montrose makes for a sub-20-minute commute. If you’re at a downtown hospital or university, Downtown or Cuyahoga Falls offers a better quality of life.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Akron’s tech scene rewards specialization and loyalty. You won’t see the explosive startup growth of Austin, but you can build a deep, stable career.

• Specialty Premiums:

  • Cloud Architecture (AWS/Azure): +10-15% over base. Critical for Goodyear, FirstEnergy, and healthcare.
  • Industrial IoT / Manufacturing Tech: +10%. Direct pipeline to Goodyear and local manufacturing suppliers.
  • Data Science / Analytics: +12-15%. High demand in healthcare (Summa, Children’s) and manufacturing.
  • DevOps / SRE: +10%. As companies modernize, these roles are essential for maintaining uptime.

• Advancement Paths: The typical path is Developer -> Senior Developer -> Tech Lead/Manager. Due to the smaller market, lateral moves to a new company are common for advancement. Many senior developers eventually move into Product Management or IT Leadership at local corporations.

• 10-Year Outlook: The 17% job growth is a strong signal. Growth will be driven by the continued digitization of manufacturing (Industry 4.0), expansion of telehealth, and the need for data infrastructure. Akron will not become a major tech hub, but it will solidify its role as a center for applied tech in specific industries. Remote work has opened options, but local employers still value in-office collaboration for complex projects.

Insider Tip: Join the Akron Linux User Group or attend events at the Bounce Innovation Hub. The local tech community is small but tight-knit. Building a reputation here can lead to opportunities that never get posted online.

The Verdict: Is Akron Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Extreme Affordability. Your salary stretches further here than almost anywhere else.	Smaller Job Market. Fewer companies, fewer open roles than in Columbus or Cleveland.
Stable, Established Employers. Low risk of layoffs; companies like Goodyear and healthcare are perennial.	Slower Pace. Less cutting-edge tech; more legacy system work. Can feel "behind the curve."
Manageable Commutes. You can live and work without a soul-crushing drive.	Car Dependency. Public transit is inadequate; you need a vehicle.
High Quality of Life. Great parks (Cuyahoga Valley NP), low crime in suburbs, genuine community.	Social Scene. Nightlife is limited; it’s more about local breweries and sports than tech meetups.
Proximity to Other Cities. Easy weekend trips to Cleveland, Pittsburgh, or Columbus.	Weather. Winters are gray and snowy; summers can be humid.

Final Recommendation:
Akron is an excellent choice for a software developer who prioritizes financial stability, work-life balance, and a slower-paced lifestyle over cutting-edge tech buzz. It’s ideal for mid-career developers looking to buy a home, start a family, and build a long-term career without the stress of a cutthroat market. It’s less ideal for a new graduate seeking a hyper-competitive startup environment or a developer who thrives on the energy of a dense tech ecosystem. For the right person, Akron offers a rare and sustainable blend of professional opportunity and personal affordability.

FAQs

1. Is the market for software developers in Akron competitive?
It’s competitive, but in a different way than coastal cities. You’re competing with a smaller pool of local talent, but employers are very selective. They often look for industry-specific knowledge (e.g., manufacturing, healthcare) in addition to core coding skills. Tailor your resume to the employer’s domain.

2. Can I live in Akron without a car?
Technically, yes, but it’s very challenging. The METRO RTA bus system exists but has limited routes and frequency. Most employers are in suburban business parks or on campuses not served well by transit. A reliable car is a practical necessity for most developers in Akron.

3. How does Akron’s tech community compare to Cleveland’s?
Cleveland’s tech scene is larger and more diversified (healthcare tech, insurance, startups). Akron’s is more specialized around its legacy industries. Many Akron developers commute to Cleveland or work remotely for Cleveland companies. Akron offers a lower cost of living, but Cleveland offers more networking events and a larger talent pool.

4. What’s the interview process like at Akron employers?
Generally, it’s more traditional than at a startup. Expect a recruiter screen, a technical interview (often a live coding session or take-home project), and multiple rounds of interviews with the team and managers. The process can be slower (2-4 weeks). Be prepared to discuss how you’ve worked in team environments and solved business problems, not just algorithm challenges.

5. Are there opportunities for remote work from Akron?
Yes, increasingly so. The pandemic accelerated remote work adoption at larger employers like Goodyear and Summa Health. You’ll also find many Akron-based developers working remotely for companies in Cleveland, Columbus, or out-of-state. Having "remote work" experience can be a significant advantage in your job search.