While other sectors struggled with job losses as they navigated the pandemic, technology-related employment did well, with 44 states experiencing job growth in 2021, according to a report by CompTIA.
In Memphis, net tech employment had dropped in 2020 but bounced back strongly in 2021, adding 95 net tech jobs. Software, programmers, web, and quality assurance were the top tech occupations (3,455 workers) in the city, followed by IT support specialists and repair technicians (1,873), and cybersecurity and systems engineers (1,714).
It is also noteworthy that Memphis’ remote tech job postings grew 84% from 2019 to 2021. In 2021, there were 10,877 tech job postings, of which 32% (3,429) were work from home.
Regina Whitley, executive director of the Greater Memphis IT Council, noted flexibility to work from home not only gives businesses access to “a broader field of talent” but also plays a part in the job growth locally. However, it isn’t without challenges.
“It makes it easier to hire on some level, but it’s also very competitive,” Whitley said.
The report projects Memphis will see net tech employment grow by another 97 jobs in 2022. Data science and computer science occupations that otherwise had the lowest share of employees in 2021 are likely to witness the highest percentage increase (+2.7%) in 2022.
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