Three of four key employment metrics were positive for the month
DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., Feb. 7, 2025 -- Technology companies and employers throughout the economy added tech workers in January, while also increasing job listings for future hiring, CompTIA, the leading global provider of vendor-neutral information technology (IT) training and certification products, reported today.
"Employers continue to balance the need for foundational tech talent and skills with the push into next gen fields."
Analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) #JobsReport data reveals employment by tech sector companies increased by a net 6,787 positions in January.1 Robust hiring of personnel in IT services and software development occupations (+13,700) offset reductions in telecommunication jobs (-7,900).
Across all sectors of the economy tech occupations grew by estimated 228,000 for the month.2 The tech unemployment rate increased to 2.9%, compared to the national rate of 4% for January.
"Tech hiring activity was solid across the key categories," noted Tim Herbert, chief research officer, CompTIA. "Employers continue to balance the need for foundational tech talent and skills with the push into next gen fields."
New employer job listings for tech positions increased by 51,756 in January, to more than 220,000. The total of active job postings for the month was over 476,000.3
CompTIA's analysis shows 49 states plus the District of Columbia saw increases in tech job postings last month. California (+9,834), Texas (+4,256), Illinois (+3,476), Virginia (+2,101), New York (+2,083) and Florida (+2,059) recorded the largest month over month increases. Metropolitan areas that experienced big jumps in tech job postings included San Jose, San Francisco, New York City, Chicago and Dallas.
Employer hiring spanned every sector of the economy, with a broad mix of company types pursuing tech talent. On a month-over-month percent change basis the positions with some of the highest gains in job posting volumes include UI/UX designers (+54%), data scientists (+52%), data analysts (+47%), tech support specialists (+38%) and systems analysts (+38%).
Active postings for positions in artificial intelligence (AI) or jobs requiring AI skills totaled nearly 40,000 in January, an increase of about 1,500 from December. The San Jose, San Francisco, Seattle, New York City, Boston and Washington, D.C. markets had the most AI job postings for the month.
Across all tech occupations 45% of January job postings did not specify a four-year degree requirement for applicants, with some occupation categories at higher percentages. These include network support specialists (83%), tech support specialists (71%), computer programmers (57%), web and digital interface designers (53%) and network systems administrators (51%).
The "CompTIA Tech Jobs Report" is available here.
About CompTIA
CompTIA Inc. is the leading global provider of vendor-neutral information technology (IT) training and certification products. CompTIA unlocks potential in millions of aspiring technology professionals and careers changers. Working in partnership with thousands of academic institutions and training providers, CompTIA helps students build career-ready skills through best-in-class learning solutions, industry-recognized certifications and career resources. Learn more at https://www.comptia.org/.
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