Tech Sector Sees Robust Growth: January Hiring Surges in IT Jobs

Positive Employment Metrics in Tech

Three out of four key employment metrics showed positive trends for January, according to CompTIA's report. Technology companies across various sectors added tech workers and increased job listings, indicating a strong hiring momentum.

Job Growth Statistics

The analysis of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data shows that tech sector companies added a net 6,787 jobs in January. Notably, IT services and software development roles saw a robust increase of 13,700 positions, which compensated for a decline in telecommunication jobs (-7,900).

Overall Growth in Tech Occupations

Across all sectors, tech occupations grew by an estimated 228,000 jobs in January, with the tech unemployment rate at 2.9%, significantly lower than the national average of 4%.

Increased Job Listings

New job listings for tech positions increased by 51,756 in January, bringing the total to over 220,000. Active job postings exceeded 476,000, with 49 states and the District of Columbia reporting increases in tech job postings.

Top States for Job Increases

The states with the largest month-over-month increases included:

• California (+9,834)
• Texas (+4,256)
• Illinois (+3,476)
• Virginia (+2,101)
• New York (+2,083)
• Florida (+2,059)

High Demand for Tech Roles

Positions with the highest gains in job postings included:

• UI/UX designers (+54%)
• Data scientists (+52%)
• Data analysts (+47%)
• Tech support specialists (+38%)
• Systems analysts (+38%)

AI Job Market

In January, nearly 40,000 job postings were related to artificial intelligence (AI), marking an increase of about 1,500 from December. The cities with the most AI job postings included San Jose, San Francisco, Seattle, New York City, Boston, and Washington, D.C.

Degree Requirements

Interestingly, 45% of January job postings did not require a four-year degree, with higher percentages in specific roles such as:

• Network support specialists (83%)
• Tech support specialists (71%)
• Computer programmers (57%)
• Web and digital interface designers (53%)
• Network systems administrators (51%)

For more insights, check out the CompTIA Tech Jobs Report available here.