Tech sector employment declined in March, as companies grappled with ongoing economic uncertainty, according to new data from CompTIA.
Firms within the tech sector cut a net total of 8,428 jobs in March, with most of the losses concentrated in tech services and telecommunications occupations, CompTIA said in its analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Across all industries, tech employment dropped by an estimated 29,000 positions.
The national unemployment rate for tech workers edged down to 3.1% last month, lower than the overall U.S. jobless rate of 4.2%.
Hiring demand holds steady
Despite the drop in employment, hiring intent remained relatively stable. Employers posted more than 213,000 new tech job openings in March, bringing the total number of active tech postings to nearly 478,000.
“With many employers in wait-and-see mode, the jobs data is about in line with expectations for the month,” said Tim Herbert, chief research officer at CompTIA.
The professional, scientific and technical services sector led in new postings with 52,526, followed by administrative and support services (26,099), and manufacturing (21,975).
Roles in demand, AI skills prioritized
Software developers and engineers, technical support specialists, systems engineers and cybersecurity professionals were among the most sought-after roles. Jobs requiring artificial intelligence (AI) skills accounted for 21% of all active postings, reflecting continued investment in AI-related capabilities.
Notably, half of the postings did not require a four-year degree, a sign that employers are widening their talent pools amid competitive hiring conditions.
Regional highlights
California, North Carolina and Washington saw the strongest month-over-month growth in tech job postings. Among metro areas, Seattle, San Francisco and San Jose led in growth, while New York City, Washington and Dallas posted the highest total number of openings.
