Job growth in Southeast, Mid-Atlantic

Robert Half Technology’s latest research shows a slight decline in IT hiring activity for next quarter, but the news is better for those who live in certain parts of the country.

Based on responses from more than 1,400 CIOs, Robert Half Technology’s Information Technology Hiring Index and Skills Report shows a net 5% hiring increase for the fourth quarter. This is down a bit from the 7% increase predicted for the third quarter, but at least it’s something.

The recruitment firm’s research shows that CIOs expect some regions to fare better than others. The most IT hiring activity next quarter is expected to occur in the East South Central region comprising Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee. Of those CIOs surveyed, 15% plan to expand their IT departments and 3% anticipate cutbacks. The net 12% increase compares quite favorably to the national average of 5%. “Technology executives in the East South Central states are reporting increased demand for individuals skilled in .Net administration and development as firms there begin to adopt the new platform,” says Katherine Spencer Lee, executive director of Robert Half Technology.

Just behind is the Mid-Atlantic region of New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, which is also expected to see attractive growth. A full 13% of CIOs in the area plan to add to staff, while 2% IT forecast staff reductions for an overall total of 11% growth. “Firms in the Mid-Atlantic region, in particular, are seeking applications developers and database designers with experience in the finance, insurance and healthcare industries,” Lee says.

On the other end of the spectrum, tough times for IT workers will continue in the East North Central area of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. Only 4% of CIOs expect to add headcount, while 6% expect cutbacks. And the West North Central region of Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota comes out flat, with 3% of respondents expecting growth and another 3% predicting staff reductions.

For the complete survey results, including a look at the skills in highest demand and industries that are doing the most hiring, go to https://www.roberthalftechnology.com/PressRoom