The number of U.S. information technology jobs was roughly flat at almost 4.2 million in December, falling by just 600 jobs from November, according to the TechServe Alliance. Still, IT jobs increased faster than overall nonfarm employment in 2012.

“While there was respectable growth overall in 2012, the IT jobs growth engine was essentially in a holding pattern in the fourth quarter,” said Mark Roberts, the CEO of the TechServe Alliance.

The TechServe Alliance reported the number of IT jobs rose by 2.23 percent in 2012, a slightly slower pace than the 2.3 percent in 2011. However, total nonfarm employment rose by only 1.4 percent in 2012, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“While the secular trends for strong IT employment growth remain in place, we need to get through the current period of pervasive uncertainty,” Roberts said. “Once the uncertainty dissipates, I fully anticipate we will see robust growth in IT employment throughout 2013 and beyond.”

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