Current Trends and Job Outlook of IT Careers
If I had to pick a phrase to describe the IT job market over the last few years, it’d be topsy-turvy. We saw unprecedented high-volume hiring in response to the pandemic, followed by a layoff-filled correction and an industry-disrupting shift toward AI adoption that’s still unfolding. It’s been a wild ride, and even after all the commotion, the technology job market is stronger than ever.
According to a report from CompTIA, one of the industry’s leading trade associations, U.S. employment in tech jobs is expected to grow at double the pace of the overall workforce over the next decade, with over 350,000 job openings yearly. California, Texas, and New York employ the most significant number of tech workers. Still, there are opportunities in every corner of the country, from Boise, Idaho, to Huntsville, Alabama, and many places in between.
It’s an exciting time for the tech world, but the struggle to fill highly technical roles is real. Many candidates lack the job-ready skills organizations need in areas like AI, blockchain, and data analysis. So, what does this mean if you’re looking for an IT career in 2025 and beyond? Arming yourself with practical skills, real-world experience, and niche IT credentials can help you stand out–and get paid handsomely.
We’ll explore the most promising job opportunities, where you should look for them, how much they pay, and what trends to prepare for as you search for your next great opportunity in the field of tech.
Information Technology Job Outlook
Regarding IT jobs, the current landscape is all about transformation. Technology is advancing faster than job descriptions, and companies are scrambling to find qualified, driven, creative individuals who can help them keep up.
Demand is high for professionals who can aid organizations in adopting new technologies, leveraging data to achieve business goals, and warding off cyber attacks, as well as the business leaders who can oversee and direct these initiatives.
IT jobs with the most exceptional growth projections include:
- Data scientists and analysts. These professionals help companies organize and analyze large volumes of data to distill meaning that can be used to achieve business goals. Data scientist and analyst roles are projected to grow at more than three times the pace of the overall workforce.
- Cybersecurity analysts and engineers. Workers in these roles plan and implement strategies to protect a company’s assets from cyber attacks. Professionals in this area can expect job growth at twice the overall rate.
- Software QA and testers. Software QA professionals and testers develop and execute tests to identify problems in software. Job growth is projected at 177% above the national average.
- Web and UI/UX. These designers develop and test layouts and interfaces for functionality across platforms and devices. Jobs in this area are expected to grow at a rate 134% faster than the average for all occupations.
- CIOs and IT directors. These business leaders use their technical expertise to plan, coordinate, and direct an organization’s IT activities. Job growth is a projected 134% higher than the national average.
Other high-growth IT jobs include:
- Web developers
- Database architects
- Emerging technology roles like AI
- IT project managers
- Systems analysts and engineers
- Network and cloud administrators and engineers
- IT support specialists
- Network and cloud architects
With job growth numbers in the stratosphere, the IT careers outlook is strong and doesn’t appear to be slowing down any time soon.
Related: Is Technology a Good Career Path?
IT Salaries Breakdown
Information technology is a lucrative profession, even for entry-level workers. As your experience grows, so does your earning potential.
Five years ago, my team placed an entry-level web developer with one of our clients at a starting salary of $50,000. He’s been adding projects and experience to his resume ever since, and last month, he landed a senior developer role paying $115,000. There aren’t many fields where you can start out at the bottom and double your salary in five years, but in IT, it’s not just possible–it’s probable.
Across all tech occupations, the median wage is $104,556. That’s more than double the median salary for all occupations. Simply by choosing a career in tech, you’re positioning yourself to be a higher earner than you would if you pursued nearly any other field.
Related: Search Salary Data by Job Title and Location
Best Cities to Find an IT Job
Everyone knows the West Coast is a technology epicenter; San Jose, Seattle, and San Francisco are the top three cities where tech has the biggest economic impact as a portion of the local economy. And yet, none of those cities made the top three for tech employment numbers or job growth, which means there are opportunities to be had all over the country–including some places you might not expect.
We’ll break down the best cities to find an IT job in two ways: by overall technology employment, meaning the sheer number of existing tech jobs, and by growth, which means how fast tech positions are being added.
Top 10 cities with the highest tech employment
- New York City
- Washington, D.C.
- Los Angeles
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Dallas
- Seattle
- Boston
- Chicago
- Atlanta
Top 10 cities with the fastest tech employment growth
- Dallas
- New York City
- Austin
- Miami
- Houston
- Orlando
- Nashville
- Atlanta
- Charlotte
- Raleigh
Whether you’re looking for rain or sunshine, mild winters or heaps of snow, these lists demonstrate that there’s a tech market out there to fit your geographical preferences.
IT Industry Trends for Job Seekers
High demand for emerging tech skills
IT jobs aren’t only found at tech companies. Technology subsets like AI, blockchain, and quantum computing are being adopted across industries, from banking to healthcare to manufacturing. GenAI, in particular, has experienced massive growth, with job postings related to GenAI growing 30x from 2023 to 2024.
Developing skills in these emerging tech areas will qualify you for a broader range of opportunities, help you command a higher salary, and make you a more resilient candidate if you have the unfortunate experience of being laid off.
Continuous learning is a must
There’s a significant catch-22 in the tech industry right now surrounding the ongoing skills gap. The half-life of some tech skills is as short as 2.5 years, which has companies begging for more skilled workers. Yet, many organizations are unwilling or unable to invest in the training required to advance their current employees’ skills.
Trust me–I know from experience just how unfair this is and how frustrating it can be for ambitious candidates. However, it does present an opportunity for self-starters who want to set themselves apart in the job search. Investing in your own skills through IT certifications, online courses, webinars, and live events enhances your resume and gives you the job-ready skills to make an impact for an employer starting on day one.
According to a recent report from Indeed, the top 10 most in-demand tech skills are as follows:
- Python
- AWS
- Oracle
- Java
- JavaScript
- Azure
- Power BI
- Tableau
- Kubernetes
- Microsoft SQL Server
Related: The Best IT Certifications to Advance Your Career
Flexibility is an advantage
Let me guess: you want to work from home. If this is true, you’re not alone; most candidates we work with now would prefer a remote or hybrid job over a strictly in-office one. If this is a sticking point for your job search, more power to you. But if you’re having trouble landing interviews, rigid preferences about work location may be a stumbling block.
With 27% of employers requiring workers to be fully onsite, according to Zoom, you’re ruling out a huge number of employment options if you refuse to budge on working from home. Being open to an onsite role, or a hybrid one rather than a fully remote one, can expand your opportunities and help you get your foot in the door, especially if you’re a candidate with little experience.
The job outlook for IT is bright, but there will likely be a few bumps in the road as the industry continues to adapt to new technologies, a tricky economy, and a new administration, among other changes. Job seekers who stay flexible and keep their skills sharp can expect strong prospects in the year ahead.
