Tech Hiring Slows as IT Job Postings Reach 10-Year Low

The once-booming tech job market is showing signs of fatigue. According to recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and CompTIA, IT job postings have dropped to their lowest level in over a decade, just 2.24 million in 2024, a sharp decline from the 4.41 million posted in 2022. While tech roles have historically weathered economic storms better than most, new reports suggest the slowdown may be more structural than cyclical.

Several factors are driving the decline. In a recent CIO article, experts cited economic uncertainty, changing workforce models, and the internalization of tech roles into broader business units. Many companies are shifting responsibilities once held by centralized IT departments into distributed teams, often without advertising open roles externally. Meanwhile, automation and AI are enabling teams to do more with less, reducing the need for large-scale hiring.

While the broader job market added 175,000 jobs, tech occupations fell by 20,000. On top of this, the tech unemployment rate rose to 3.5%, which is its highest since the early days of the pandemic. It’s a marked change from the frenzied hiring environment of the last decade, when companies competed fiercely for talent and IT job seekers had the upper hand.

Yet, the demand for tech skills hasn’t disappeared; it’s evolving.

A recent survey from the University of Phoenix shows that IT professionals still view emerging technologies like AI, quantum computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT) as critical to the future of work. Other findings reveal that a majority of IT professionals surveyed said AI will be pivotal in shaping their career trajectories. But surprisingly, less than a third feel prepared to adapt to AI-driven roles, pointing to a significant skills gap.

The survey also found that 94% of IT professionals believe certifications are essential to remain competitive. Cybersecurity topped the list of critical skills for the future (71%), followed by AI/machine learning (59%) and cloud computing (54%). This aligns with the current hiring landscape, where demand is narrowing around highly specialized, future-focused roles.

What we’re witnessing in the tech job market is not a disappearance of opportunity, but a reshaping of it.

Employers are no longer hiring for broad IT generalists, they're looking for deeply skilled professionals who can navigate complex systems, secure critical infrastructure, and help lead digital transformation. This shift places a premium on upskilling, continuous education, and adaptable career strategies.

It also underscores the importance of remote and hybrid work models, with 88% of IT professionals in the University of Phoenix survey saying they expect remote work to remain a dominant fixture of the tech world. This adds flexibility but also heightens competition, as companies can source talent from anywhere in the country and not your local market, leading talent pools to grow tenfold. 

For job seekers and employers alike, the message is clear: the bar has been raised. As hiring slows, tech professionals must be more intentional about the skills they build—and the value they offer. The era of passive opportunity in IT may be ending, but for those who adapt, the next chapter is just beginning.