US employers add tech roles as technology companies cut staff

Technology occupations across the US economy increased by 86,000 workers in August, while technology companies reduced staffing by about 14,700 positions.

The occupation figures cover technology professionals working across all industry sectors, while the technology company data includes technical and non-technical employees. CompTIA analysed data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Nearly 600,000 technology occupation vacancies were active during August, with 42% newly advertised, according to CompTIA.

Revelio Labs estimated that total US non-farm employment increased by 36,500 jobs in August, down from a 79,200 increase in July. Active job postings fell 3% from July to 18.35 million and were 2.2% lower than a year earlier. Revelio’s US hiring rate stats also fell during August, from 20.1% to 19.7%.

CompTIA recorded professional, scientific and technical services among the sectors generating the highest volumes of new technology job postings, alongside manufacturing and administrative support services. Retail, wholesale trade and educational services recorded month-on-month increases in technology vacancies.

Employers also advertised more roles in technology support, infrastructure, project management and cybersecurity.

More than 320,000 active job postings required AI-related capabilities, up 4.5% from July, according to CompTIA’s analysis of Lightcast data.

CompTIA said employers were seeking workers able to apply AI tools, manage AI-enabled workflows and support AI initiatives in business operations.

Revelio’s separate August analysis found weaker employment in occupations with the greatest exposure to AI, particularly among younger workers. Employment in the most AI-exposed occupations was about 6% lower relative to the least-exposed occupations compared with the period before ChatGPT, with the gap reaching 19% among workers aged 22 to 25.

CompTIA said the reduction in technology company employment may include the effect of layoffs announced by US-headquartered technology businesses in recent months.

Monthly occupation-level data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics can be volatile. Employment figures and Lightcast job posting data are also subject to revision.

• +36,500 total US jobs
• +86,000 technology occupation employment
• −14,700 technology company employment
• ~600,000 active technology job postings
• 42% of active tech vacancies newly advertised
• 320,000+ active job postings requiring AI skills
• +4.5% month-on-month growth in AI-related postings