Tech Job Market Surges: 228,000 New Positions in January Despite Economic Uncertainty

In a strong start to 2025, the U.S. tech job market has shown remarkable resilience and growth, according to the latest report from CompTIA.

The tech sector added 6,787 new positions in January, with a significant boost in IT services and software development roles. However, the most striking figure comes from across all sectors of the economy, where tech occupations grew by an estimated 228,000 positions in just one month.

This surge in tech employment comes despite ongoing economic uncertainties, highlighting the critical role of technology in driving business growth and innovation across industries. The tech unemployment rate stands at 2.9%, significantly lower than the national average of 4%, indicating a continued high demand for skilled tech workers.

Tim Herbert, CompTIA’s chief research officer, noted, “Employers continue to balance the need for foundational tech talent and skills with the push into next-gen fields.” This balance is evident in the job posting data, which shows over 476,000 active listings for tech positions in January, including a notable increase in AI-related roles.

Interestingly, the report, which was created as an analysis of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data recently released, reveals a shift in hiring practices, with 45% of job postings not specifying a four-year degree requirement. This trend is even more pronounced in certain tech roles, potentially opening doors for career changers and non-traditional candidates.

The geographical spread of tech job growth is also noteworthy, with 49 states plus Washington D.C. seeing increases in tech job postings. California, Texas, and Illinois led the pack, demonstrating the widespread nature of tech sector expansion.

As the tech industry continues to evolve, with a particular emphasis on AI and data-related roles, this robust job market suggests a positive outlook for both current tech professionals and those looking to enter the field in 2025.