The number of IT jobs in the US remained flat in September compared to August, according to an analysis by the TechServe Alliance, a trade association representing the IT and engineering staffing and solutions industry. The association noted IT employment has been effectively flat for more than a year. 

IT employment in the US dropped by a scant 0.13% month over month in September.  On a year-over-year basis, the number of jobs was up by only 500 jobs, or 0.01%.

“While IT employment dipped modestly in September, when we step back and look at multiple data points it is clear we are in a no-growth environment due to the lack of available talent,” TechServe Alliance CEO Mark Roberts said. “In addition to adding only 500 net new IT jobs (reflecting a mere 1/100 of 1% increase) and an IT unemployment rate of only 2.3% in Q3, there were almost 500,000 registrations in the most recent H-1B lottery competing for 85,000 visas for skilled foreign workers.”

Even if some sectors of the economy soften and pull back in their hiring, demand for tech talent will continue to outstrip supply for the foreseeable future, according to Roberts.

Separately, the TechServe Alliance reported engineering employment rose by 3.7% year over year in September, reflecting an increase of 97,900 engineering workers.