High-tech job openings across NC surge above 30,000

RALEIGH – Companies across North Carolina are hunting for talent to fill a growing number of information technology jobs with more than 30,000 publicly promoted open positions in October.

So reports the NC Tech Association in its latest IT Job Trends report.

The state’s unemployment rate dipped slightly in October to 4 percent from 4.1 percent in September, meaning competition for talent remains strong.

Want a high-tech job? These skills are what NC employers need most

The October total the fourth highest number of openings this year, just behind 30,544 in Feb. but trailing nearly 34,000 jobs in March and more than 32,000 in April. Openings were up nearly 3,000 from September.

Despite concerns that the US and North Carolina economies are slowing, job vacanies are up more than 2,000 from a year ago.

Skills needed most are software developers as well as network-systems administrators.

NC Tech Association graphic

“North Carolina IT job openings were markedly higher in October than the same month last year, outpacing the US rate for that same comparison period,” said Brooks Raiford, President & CEO of NC TECH. “October openings were also higher than September, rising to their highest level in the past six months.”

IT job openings were down 9 percent year-over-year in October.

The Triangle remains the state’s largest market for tech talent but job openings declined from 2018. Job openings are way up in the Charlotte, Greensboro-High Point and Winston Salem markets. The Wilmington, Asheville and Burlington metros also saw big increases in openings.

The biggest hirers in the state: