The number of U.S. information technology jobs increased in January and the rate of growth accelerated, according to the TechServe Alliance’s IT employment index.

The number of IT jobs rose 0.40 percent in January to about 4.59 million. On a year-over-year basis, IT employment has grown by 2.83 percent since January 2013, adding 126,200 IT workers.

Engineering jobs also increased again in January, up 0.13 percent from December to about 2.48 million. On a year-over-year basis, engineering employment has grown by 1.61 percent since January 2013, adding 39,400 engineering workers.

“As we begin the year, I am encouraged by the accelerating rate of growth in IT and engineering employment,” said TechServe Alliance CEO Mark Roberts. “I believe the strong January jobs numbers are a harbinger of a promising year to come.”

TechServe Alliance is a collaboration of IT staffing firms, solutions firms, clients, consultants and suppliers.