Tech occupation unemployment rate inches down to 2.5%
DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., Dec. 6, 2024 – The tech workforce saw modest movement in the latest national employment data, according to CompTIA, the nonprofit association for the tech industry and workforce.
Analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) #JobsReport data reveals the tech unemployment rate for the month fell slightly to 2.5%, matching the low end of the rate for 2024. The national unemployment rate rose slightly to 4.2% in November.
Employment within the technology industry sector was essentially flat with a decline of 1,636 jobs for the month.[1] The tech sector employs nearly 5.6 million people, which translates to a percentage decline of essentially 0%.
Tech professions throughout the economy declined by 6,000 in a national workforce of nearly 6.5 million workers.[2]
“While a flat month in the aggregate as some employers take a breather, the data continues to highlight the diversity of hiring activity across the tech workforce,” Tim Herbert, chief research officer, CompTIA. “Across industry sectors, metro areas and company sizes harnessing tech talent remains a top priority.”
Active employer job postings for new hiring totaled more than 475,000 in November, down about 42,000 from October.[3] Companies added nearly 184,000 new tech job postings last month, with employers in consulting, finance, manufacturing and technology hardware, software and services among the most active.
Artificial intelligence (AI) hiring momentum continues to build. In the aggregate employers recorded nearly 331,000 active job postings throughout 2024 in recruiting for AI job roles and AI skills, a year-over-year increase of 71%.
Across all tech occupations 44% of November postings did not specify a four-year degree requirement for applicants. Some occupations had notably higher percentages, including network support specialists (84%) and tech support specialists (71%).
The data indicates hiring for work from home (WFH) positions is holding steady at about 20% of total tech job recruiting. On a hiring activity volume basis, the top WFH positions include software developers, IT project managers, data scientists and analysts, tech support specialists, and systems analysts.
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/
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[1] Labor market data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and employer job postings 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.
Steve Ostrowski
Senior Director, Corporate Communications
(630) 678 - 8468
[email protected]
Roger Hughlett
Director, Corporate Communications
(202) 503 - 3644
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Access Now$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.
