According to analysis of a proprietary dataset of more than one million U.S. job postings, including 100,000 Robert Half placements, the tech job market for software engineers and developers remained resilient despite notable layoffs at major firms earlier in 2023. With over 400,000 new software engineering and development jobs posted throughout the year, competition for top talent in these roles was, as expected, fierce. The demand for executive leadership and operations roles also grew, with a 15% and 6% increase in job postings, respectively.
A majority of the technology positions tracked by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics had unemployment rates well below the national average of 3.3% for the year. For instance, systems managers reported an annual unemployment rate of 1.7%, and help desk and desktop support professionals reported a rate of 1.9%. Notably, security analysts had a 0.5% unemployment rate, underscoring the demand for cybersecurity expertise.
Nearly a quarter of new technology positions in 2023 offered hybrid work arrangements, and an additional 17% were fully remote. Given the interest in flexible work on the part of many candidates, the balance of firms may be missing an opportunity. As more employers require more in-person time, companies that can offer adaptable work schedules, including flexible scheduling or hybrid or fully remote options, are particularly poised to distinguish themselves in the talent market.
The Demand for Skilled Talent report by Robert Half is an authoritative source providing essential insights into employment trends. This report has offered a deep dive into the U.S. hiring landscape for over a decade, spotlighting challenges and strategies to attract and retain talent. It explores what employees seek in their careers, identifies common recruitment errors and suggests solutions. The report spans finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, administrative and customer support, and human resources, proving crucial for business leaders and managers.
