High-tech job openings in NC soar above 33,000 – Raleigh demand surges 36.5%

RALEIGH – North Carolina’s high-tech jobs market continues to surge with the highest number of publicly posted open positions soaring above 33,000, That’s the highest level in more than a year and represents a 50% increase from the low point last May during the pandemic.

Leading the way is the Raleigh-Cary metro where openings soared 36.5% year-over-year to 12,234, according to the latest IT Job Trends report from the N.C. Technology Association.

“With 33,530 available positions, there are more open opportunities for tech talent now than ever. As overall economic recovery and vaccine distribution improves, analysts remain optimistic that this growth will continue as businesses strive for technological and digital excellence in the post-COVID landscape,” says the report.

Jobs posted also increased slightly in Durham-Chapel Hill to just under 4,000.

Openings increase by more than 2,000 from January.

NC TECH graphic

“IT Job openings were up markedly in February, both in terms of year-over-year and continuing a monthly upward trend since December – in fact, reaching the highest level in a year,” said Brooks Raiford, CEO of NC TECH. “It’s also encouraging to see a return to typical trends, such as a first quarter acceleration in hiring.”

The NC TECH data is reflected in the latest jobs report from WRAL TechWire which found listings for thousands of positions – tech and otherwise – across the Triangle.