- Tech occupations added 247,000 jobs in August across all industries.
- Tech companies themselves cut 2,311 positions in the same period.
- AI-related job postings surged 94% year-over-year.
- Demand highest for mid-level professionals and software developers.
- Only three states and four metro areas saw growth in tech job postings.
Tech Jobs Grow Outside the Sector Despite Company Layoffs
U.S. employment in tech occupations rose by an estimated 247,000 positions in August 2025, according to analysis by CompTIA using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. This increase comes even as tech companies themselves reported a net reduction of 2,311 jobs during the same period, highlighting a divergence between tech sector employment and the broader demand for tech talent across other industries.
Overall, 6.9 million professionals now work in core tech roles, with the tech occupation unemployment rate ticking up slightly to 3% in August from 2.9% in July. CompTIA noted that monthly swings in tech employment data are common and may even out over the longer term.
Job Postings Dip, but AI Skills See Strong Demand
Active employer job postings for technology positions reached 446,763 in August, a 2.6% decrease from July, according to CompTIA’s analysis of Lightcast data. Of these, 186,769 were newly added listings. The most sought-after roles included software developers and engineers (37,180), systems engineers and architects (15,871), tech support (12,822), and cybersecurity engineers and analysts (10,963).
Despite the overall dip, job postings requiring artificial intelligence (AI) skills continued to climb. CompTIA’s AI Hiring Intent Index showed a 94% increase in AI-related postings compared to August 2024, signaling sustained demand for talent in AI and data science fields.
Mid-Level Experience Most in Demand
An analysis of job postings by experience level revealed that 29% targeted candidates with 4–7 years of experience, while 21% sought those with 0–3 years, and 16% required 8 or more years. This suggests employers are prioritizing mid-career professionals, though entry-level opportunities remain significant.
Regional Tech Hiring Remains Uneven
Only three states—Maine, Delaware, and Idaho—saw increases in tech job postings in August, each with fewer than 100 new listings. At the metropolitan level, just four markets registered growth. San Jose led in absolute numbers, with job postings rising from 5,808 in July to 5,935 in August, while Little Rock posted the largest percentage increase at 10%, from 987 to 1,090 postings.
Industry Outlook: Challenges and Opportunities
CompTIA’s chief research officer Tim Herbert commented, “Unevenness in the data means acknowledging the employers and job seekers struggling with a multitude of challenges but also recognizing it is not all doom and gloom.” The data indicates that while layoffs persist at tech companies, demand for tech skills remains robust across other sectors, particularly in areas like AI, cloud engineering, and cybersecurity.
The full CompTIA Tech Jobs Report is available for further analysis.