AUSTIN, Texas: Technology hiring in Austin is expected to start strong in 2018, according to the Robert Half Technology IT Hiring Forecast and Local Trend Report.
Twenty-five percent of CIOs said they plan to add full-time technology professionals to their teams in the first half of the new year. In addition to hiring plans, the report also highlights technology skills in demand and CIOs' top priorities for the first six months of the year.
"The hiring environment for technology professionals in Austin is expected to remain strong throughout 2018," said Tim Matteson, branch manager for Robert Half Technology in Austin. "Contributing to the growth is the expansion of local interactive agencies, start-ups and healthcare companies. With tech unemployment numbers at record lows, the demand for local talent is very high."
Top 12 Cities for Tech Hiring in 2018
In addition to the forecasted 25 percent hiring growth, 49 percent of technology leaders here expect to maintain staff levels by filling vacant roles. The demand for talent places Austin on the list of U.S. cities where tech hiring is expected to grow the most in the first half of 2018:
1.San Diego
2.Atlanta
3.New York
4.Austin
5.Charlotte, North Carolina
6.Minneapolis
7.Philadelphia
8.Des Moines, Iowa
9.Miami
10.Cleveland
11.Phoenix
12.Salt Lake City
Hiring Challenges and Skills in Demand
It continues to be a competitive hiring environment: 53 percent of CIOs in Austin said that it's challenging to find skilled IT professionals in today's market. The skills in greatest demand within their organizations, according to respondents, include:
1.Wireless network management (48 percent)
2.Network administration (45 percent)
3.Database management (45 percent)
Top Priorities
When asked to name their top priority for the next six months, 21 percent of Austin CIOs said they will be focused on maintaining security of IT systems and safeguarding company information. Other priorities will include:
•Innovation and helping to grow their businesses (21 percent)
•Staff retention (21 percent)
•Technology innovation and investing in new technologies (19 percent)
•Upgrading existing systems for business efficiency (18 percent)
Matteson added, "Companies are adjusting to the low supply, high demand model by speeding up their hiring process and developing a better understanding of what technology professionals value most."
