Technology Careers Are Taking Off in Rutherford County, TN

GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO/BARAN ÖZDEMIR

From fostering collaboration among software developers to providing cutting-edge data solutions, Rutherford County is a significant player in the Southeast’s growing tech industry. 

MTC Empowers the Tech Industry 

At the forefront of this effort is the Murfreesboro Technology Council. Through events, partnerships and educational initiatives, MTC connects entrepreneurs, students and technology professionals. 

“Middle Tennessee has an incredible pool of talent,” says Byron Glenn, sales and marketing manager with Business System Solutions and an MTC board member. “After traveling across the country to meet with tech leaders, I’ve noticed a common theme: Middle Tennessee is desirable for tech companies, businesses and skilled professionals. MTC is working with regional leaders to attract businesses of all sizes, including startups and entrepreneurs, to the area.” 

Through partnerships with the Tennessee College of Applied Technology, Murfreesboro City Schools and local nonprofits, Glenn says MTC has established a tech pipeline that provides resources to students while connecting job seekers with employers. 

This initiative strengthens the local workforce and helps build a tech hub to compete with other Southeastern technology centers. In 2023, MTC provided Murfreesboro City Schools with the largest non-grant-related technology donation in the district’s history. More recently, MTC donated servers to TCAT Murfreesboro. 

Boro.Dev Creates Community

Shaun Willis is a Tennessee native who entered the workforce as a forklift driver, working for a third-party contractor connected with Nissan. At the same time, he was trying to build a career as a Christian songwriter and creating his own websites. 

“As I got into that, I discovered there was an opportunity in the marketplace to be a developer,” he says. 

So, Willis reached out to what was then Caddis, a digital agency based in Franklin, and connected with co-founder Michael Leigeber. That mentorship over the past decade has inspired Willis to help others. 

In 2017, Willis broke into the tech industry with his first job and also founded Boro.Dev, a meetup designed to build community among developers. The group has evolved to offer monthly meetings and tech talks. These days, its membership has risen to 700, and additional meetup groups have spun off in the region – all signs of continued interest and growth in Rutherford County’s tech industry. 

But Willis wanted to do even more to support the tech industry. 

“There was still no space for junior developers to find full-time jobs,” he says. “There was no entry level, onboarding type of experience to train people. That led me to create Boro Dev Agency in 2021.” 

Willis, his brother, Kurt, and Tyler Vaughn lead the agency, which offers software development services while also serving as a platform for nurturing local talent. 

“We have a ton of talent here, and the demand for that talent is growing,” Willis says. “We’re able to connect developers to jobs and help our clients grow and succeed. My original vision was to help Murfreesboro become the next tech hub. We are seeing that come to fruition, and it is very exciting.” 

Data Suites Powers AI 

Another cornerstone of Rutherford County’s tech ecosystem is Data Suites Murfreesboro, a state-of-the-art colocation data center founded by Scott Graby and Jon Hoscheit. With a Tier 3-ready infrastructure, the facility is designed to meet the needs of businesses at any stage. Specializing in artificial intelligence and high-performance computing, Data Suites offers data security and scalability in an offering unique to Rutherford County. 

“As AI continues to transform industries, the demand for reliable, scalable and energy-efficient data solutions will only grow,” Hoscheit says. “Data Suites is proud to be at the forefront, providing Rutherford County with the power, capacity and cutting-edge facilities required to meet the future demands of AI-driven advancements. We’re building a foundation today to support the technologies of tomorrow.” 

By offering enterprise-grade services locally, Data Suites reduces the reliance on out-of-state providers, keeping resources and expertise within Middle Tennessee. Having a large, power-efficient data center nearby has lowered data costs, attracted fiber carriers like United Communications, and made the region more competitive. United Communications recently committed $85 million to expand broadband access to an additional 77,000 Middle Tennessee homes and businesses. 

This collaborative spirit drives the success and innovation within the region’s tech hub. 

Rutherford County Tech Careers By the Numbers 

Computer User Support Specialists:  500 annual openings;  $46,735 average salary 

Computer Systems Analyst:  315 annual openings: $73,649 average salary 

Software Developers, Applications:  340 annual openings; $93,701 average salary 

Software Developers, System Software: 210 annual openings: $94,063 average salary 

Network and Computer Systems Admins:  185 annual openings: $78,603 average salary 

Web Developers:  95 annual openings; $62,671 average salary 

51%: Growth in tech jobs in Middle Tennessee from 2015 to 2020 

40%: Percentage of regional tech roles held by women 

Source: Rutherford County Works