The Randstad Technologies IT Employee Confidence Index fell slightly to a reading of 48.6 in the first quarter 2013, a 7.2-point drop from the fourth quarter of 2012. Despite this, the index found that 46 percent of IT workers are likely to look for a new job. The index measures workers’ confidence in their personal employment situation and optimism in the economic environment.

“Although we saw a fairly significant decline in the overall confidence levels among IT workers, we believe this decline to be an anomaly being driven by many macro-level economic conditions in the first quarter that have a trickle-down effect to the employee,” said Bob Dickey , executive vice president of technologies at Randstad U.S. “In fact, several reports and projections point to a very promising year for the industry, with substantial growth on the horizon.”

Despite the index decline, the index found that 46 percent of IT workers are likely to look for a new job, up from 33 percent in the fourth quarter. However, IT worker’s confidence in their ability to find a new job fell to 38 percent from 44 percent in the fourth quarter, and IT workers who believe more jobs are available this quarter dropped to 24 percent from 29 percent.

The index is based on an online survey conducted by Harris Interactive, on behalf of Randstad Technologies, which included 275 respondents employed in IT.