May Tech Jobs Report: Hiring Moderates Amid Mixed Signals

The latest May Tech Jobs Report offers a cautiously stable snapshot of the technology labor market, with results that modestly exceeded expectations—even if those expectations were set low amid ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty and global trade tensions. The data suggests resilience in parts of the market, but also underscores the challenges that continue to weigh on tech hiring.

A Mixed Picture for the Broader Economy

The U.S. economy overall added 177,000 jobs in April, outperforming projections of 133,000. Unemployment held steady at 4.2%, signaling a broadly stable labor market despite volatility in other economic indicators. While these figures point to durability in the broader economy, the story for the technology sector remains more nuanced.

Tech Unemployment Inches Up

In tech, unemployment rose from 3.1% to 3.5%, a subtle but notable increase suggesting some loosening in the job market. While still well below the national average, this uptick reflects the uneven recovery in tech hiring after the significant layoffs that defined much of 2023.

Meanwhile, tech companies reduced staffing by a net 7,000 positions in April, signaling continued caution in workforce planning. Yet somewhat paradoxically, employers posted 203,000 new tech job listings during the month—an indication that while some companies are downsizing, others remain eager to fill specialized roles.

Regional Trends: Minor Shifts Across Markets

Regionally, the market showed small movements rather than dramatic swings:

• Dallas saw a modest gain of 320 postings, bringing total tech job openings to 9,789.

• Denver experienced a slight drop of 82 postings, totaling 3,696 open roles.

• Austin saw postings dip marginally by 17, ending the month at 4,577.

While these regional changes were relatively minor, they reflect a market stabilizing after several quarters of turbulence.

Looking Ahead: Slow and Selective Growth

Overall, the May report portrays a tech job market that’s holding steady—not surging, but not slipping dramatically either. With employers continuing to post new roles even amid selective staffing reductions, hiring remains cautious, targeted, and uneven.

As economic uncertainty and trade dynamics continue to shape business decisions, both employers and job seekers should expect a measured, deliberate pace of hiring in the months ahead. While fears of deeper contraction have not materialized, the path forward is unlikely to deliver rapid gains without broader economic tailwinds.

About IQ Clarity: Your Strategic IT Hiring Partner

At IQ Clarity, we understand the challenges employers face. Finding the right IT professionals to meet business needs is hard. Our team offers comprehensive IT recruiting solutions. We streamline the hiring process and connect employers with top talent. Our network of IT professionals provides employers with a pool of pre-screened candidates. This allows data-driven hiring decisions. Trust IQ Clarity to be your partner in navigating the dynamic IT job market.

About Ted Hellmuth

As the Founder & GM of IQ Clarity, Ted is seeking to disrupt the technology recruiting industry. He helped Colorado companies solve their hardest technology and talent acquisition problems. Before starting IQ Clarity, he was a Talent Acquisition Consultant for Comcast / NBCUniversal. He also spent over a decade with one of the world’s largest staffing firms. Ted holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder and an MBA from the University of Colorado at Denver. Ted enjoys spending time in the mountains with his wife and three children.