Q4 2025 Insights
The current climate for the workforce in the Technology and Information industries presents a complex and bifurcated picture, mixing a generally high-earning, high-demand long-term outlook with a palpable, immediate-term anxiety driven by market corrections and saturation.
Official data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that while the sector remains robust in the long run, there are significant mixed signals in the present. Overall employment in computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2024 to 2034, with hundreds of thousands of annual openings projected due to both growth and replacement needs. The median annual wage for this group is exceptionally high, sitting well over $100,000 in May 2024, which is more than double the median for all occupations. Specific high-demand roles, such as Information Security Analysts and Data Scientists, show particularly strong projected growth, well exceeding 20%. However, certain roles like Computer Programmers and Network and Computer Systems Administrators show projected job declines or minimal change in the same period, suggesting a shift in the skills companies prioritize. This high-level, long-term projection contrasts with more immediate reports showing a slowdown in job growth and even job losses in the overall IT job market in recent months, largely a correction from the aggressive over-hiring that occurred during the 2020-2022 period. Despite these short-term dips, the industry continues to offer wages that are among the highest in the nation.
Sentiment among workers in technology and information-related subreddits over the last 45 days is characterized by significant anxiety, frustration, and a sense of market saturation, particularly among entry-level and junior professionals. Many workers are not doing well, describing the job market as "cooked" or the worst it’s been in years, and noting a severe difficulty in securing new employment after being laid off. There are widespread reports of applying to hundreds of jobs with minimal callbacks, being "ghosted" after multiple interview rounds, and a belief that many online job postings are "fake" or "ghost jobs" that companies post without a true intent to hire. This has led to a feeling of burnout and mental exhaustion as the job search process stretches on.
Conversely, for workers with many years of experience (around seven to ten years or more), especially those with specialized or in-demand skills and those willing to work in hybrid or in-office roles in tech hubs, the market is described as competitive but manageable, with some still receiving multiple job offers and negotiating significant raises. This disparity has fueled a trend of increased competition where even entry-level jobs now demand multiple years of experience, a degree, and certifications, suggesting that new graduates are struggling immensely. This has led to a noticeable trend of exploring new jobs or industries, with some veteran workers expressing a complete distrust of employers and actively building "F**k-You (FU) funds," while others question the long-term stability of a career in tech, feeling that the high-growth "gold rush" era is over. Furthermore, the push toward automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is frequently cited as a driver of job loss, particularly in more routine or junior roles, leading to a scramble among workers to acquire AI-related skills to survive in the evolving industry.