CompTIA: Unemployment Rate for Tech Occupations Declines

The national unemployment rate for technology occupations edged downward to 2.8% in April following an unusual spike earlier in the year, according to an analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data by CompTIA, the nonprofit association based in suburban Chicago. 

Technology companies added an estimated 4,280 workers in April, according to the CompTIA analysis. 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

“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.”

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.

Channel Impact^®
The report provides encouraging news amid continuing layoffs in the tech industry.