CompTIA Newsroom

 

CompTIA Press Releases

Unemployment rate for tech occupations ticks down, CompTIA reporting shows

May 3, 2024

Positive job gains in tech services, software development and cloud infrastructure sectors

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. – The national unemployment rate for technology occupations edged downward to 2.8% in April following an unusual spike earlier in the year, according to analysis by CompTIA, the nonprofit association for the information technology (IT) industry and workforce.

Technology companies added an estimated 4,280 workers in April, CompTIA’s analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) #JobsReport data reveals.[1] Job growth was led by hiring in technology services and software development (+5,600). Cloud infrastructure jobs also increased (+900). Cloud infrastructure and data processing and hosting jobs have seen positive gains in nine of the past 12 months, while positions in tech and software services have increased in 10 of the past 12 months.

Technology occupations throughout the economy fell by 20,000 in April, a decline of 0.3% of the total base of tech occupation employment of 6.4 million.[2]

“Employers and job seekers continue to navigate a shifting labor market,” said Tim Herbert, chief research officer at CompTIA. “Skills-first approaches to hiring and talent development are even more important against this backdrop.”

Employers listed nearly 179,000 new job postings for tech positions last month. In total, there were an estimated 415,000 active tech job postings.[3] Openings for artificial intelligence (AI) positions or occupations that require AI skills accounted for 11% of all tech job postings in April. Positions in all emerging tech categories rose to 26%.

Among metropolitan areas Houston (TX), Columbus (OH), Sacramento (CA), Dallas (TX) and New York (NY) saw the most notable month-over-month growth in tech job postings, though in each instance the gains were modest. The same is true at the state level, where New Jersey, New York, South Dakota, Tennessee and Delaware led the list.

CompTIA’s report shows that 46% of all active tech job postings in April did not specify that candidates have a four-year degree. Positions for network support specialists (86%), IT support specialists (73%), network and systems administrators (55%), web and UI/UX designers (51%) and database administrators (48%) had even higher percentages.

The “CompTIA Tech Jobs Report” is available at https://www.comptia.org/content/tech-jobs-report.

About CompTIA
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is the world’s leading information technology (IT) certification and training body. CompTIA is a mission-driven organization committed to unlocking the potential of every student, career changer or professional seeking to begin or advance in a technology career. Millions of current and aspiring technology workers around the world rely on CompTIA for the training, education and professional certifications that give them the confidence and skills to work in tech. https://www.comptia.org/

Media Contact
Steven Ostrowski
CompTIA
sostrowski@comptia.org
630.678.8468



[1] Labor market data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and employer job posting data from Lightcast may be subject to backward revisions.

[2] Monthly occupation level data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics tends to experience higher levels of variance and volatility.

[3] Active job postings include open postings carried over from previous months and new postings added by employers.

View all Press Releases

Media Resource Center

Media Contact

Steve Ostrowski

Senior Director, Corporate Communications
(630) 678 - 8468
sostrowski@comptia.org

Public Sector Media Contact

Roger Hughlett

Director, Corporate Communications
(202) 503 - 3644
rhughlett@comptia.org


Follow Us

Follow us on social media to keep up to date on CompTIA.


Media Library

Download CompTIA logos and assets from our press releases to use in your article or write-up.

Access Now
Media Resources
Press Releases
Subscribe to CompTIA News
CompTIA in the news
Media Library

CompTIA Meetings & Events

CompTIA’s Live Office Hours - December

Online
Dec 3rd 9am/4:30pm Cohort Class Setup | Dec 10th 9am/4:30pm Dive in Data

Become a Master Builder of Your IoT Product & Transform IoT into Recurring Revenue

Online
Tuesday, December 3rd at 12 PM CST

CompTIA ANZ and ASEAN Interest Group Call - December

Online
December 3, 2024 at 12:00 PM (AEDT)

View all CompTIA Meetings & Events

Fast Facts

  • $2 trillion – Estimated direct economic impact of the U.S. tech industry, representing 8.8% of the national economy.

  • 582,000 – Number of tech business establishments in the U.S.

  • 9.1 million – U.S. net tech employment at the end of 2022.

  • 286,400 – Estimated number of new technology jobs added in the U.S. in 2022.

  • 4.1 million – Number of postings by U.S. employers for tech job openings during 2022.