While jobs in technology are now officially growing nationwide, one state in particular is seeing a two year high in IT jobs. North Carolina gained 4,560 tech jobs from July to August 2010, a 15 percent increase, according to the latest IT employment report from the North Carolina Technology Association (NCTA), SkillProof and Tek Systems.
It was the second month in a row the state saw double-digit gains in tech employment after July saw an 18 percent increase in tech jobs from June. A year ago in August, IT job openings averaged 1,130.
The IT skills most in demand in the state are systems engineering and support at 1,400, compared to 370 a year ago. IT architects and consultants are the second most in demand at 900, up from 190 in 2009. Other in-demand skills include IT management, (680), software development (650), IT sales and marketing (470) and systems administration (250).
These figures, while substantial, are also not surprising, given North Carolina's burgeoning tech sector. North Carolina's Research Triangle,is home to big tech companies IBM, SAS Institute, Cisco and NetApp. Plus, the region is ranked in the top three areas in the U.S. for life science companies as GlaxoSmithKline, Biogen Idec, BASF, Merck & Co. and others have a presence in the Triangle.
The eight-county Triangle is also a hotbed of innovation due to the 15 colleges in the area. The Research Triangle Park and North Carolina State University's Centennial Campus in Raleigh support innovation through R&D and technology transfer among the region's companies and research universities including Duke University and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
However, the report also predicted that job demand may slow in the coming months.
"After the strong run up since the beginning of the year this may be the beginning of slower growth ahead," the report stated. "Job markets in some other states, including neighboring states to the north and south, have already leveled off, suggesting faltering expectations for an economic recovery."