The tech workforce experienced minimal changes in November, as revealed by CompTIA’s analysis of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) #JobsReport. Despite a slight dip in tech sector jobs and a stable unemployment rate, hiring activity across tech professions shows diverse trends, with artificial intelligence (AI) roles gaining significant momentum.
- Tech Unemployment and Employment Trends:
- The tech unemployment rate decreased slightly to 2.5%, matching the low end of the rate for 2024.
- The national unemployment rate increased slightly to 4.2%.
- The tech industry saw a marginal decline of 1,636 jobs, maintaining stability within a workforce of 5.6 million employees.
- Across the broader economy, tech professions declined by 6,000 jobs out of nearly 6.5 million workers.
- Job Postings and Hiring Activity:
- November saw over 475,000 active tech job postings, down by 42,000 from October.
- Employers added nearly 184,000 new tech job postings, with strong demand in consulting, finance, manufacturing, and tech hardware and software.
- AI Job Market Growth:
- AI-related job postings reached nearly 331,000 in 2024, marking a 71% year-over-year increase.
- Roles requiring AI skills continue to be a major focus for employers across industries.
- Remote Work and Educational Requirements:
- About 20% of tech job postings specified work-from-home positions.
- Key WFH roles include software developers, IT project managers, data scientists, tech support specialists, and systems analysts.
- 44% of postings in November did not require a four-year degree, with higher percentages for network support specialists (84%) and tech support specialists (71%).
- Hiring Priorities Across Sectors:
- Despite a flat month overall, demand for tech talent remains strong across various sectors, metro areas, and company sizes.
- Harnessing tech talent continues to be a critical priority for employers.
The tech job market remains dynamic, reflecting strong hiring momentum in AI roles and a steady interest in remote work opportunities. With increasing flexibility in educational requirements and consistent demand for specialized skills, the tech workforce continues to adapt to evolving industry needs.
