CompTIA: Tech employment in Wisconsin grows by nearly 5,000 net new jobs

Madison, Wis. – Information technology (IT) employment in Wisconsin grew by nearly 5,000 net new jobs in 2019, capping a decade in which the state’s tech-related labor force expanded by more than 44,000 workers, according to Cyberstates 2020™, the definitive guide to the U.S. tech industry, occupations and trends published annually by CompTIA, the leading trade association for the global IT industry.

Net tech employment increased by an estimated 4,942 workers in 2019, up 2.3% over 2018.[1] Tech was second only to the manufacturing industry in the number of new jobs added last year.

From 2010 through 2019 tech-related employment in Wisconsin grew by 25.6%. Tech workers now make up an estimated 7.1% of the state’s workforce.

At more than $21 billion the tech sector accounts 7% of Wisconsin’s total economy.

“Technology powered job growth and economic gains in the past decade in Wisconsin and across the county while delivering countless benefits in how we work, communicate, create and share,” said Todd Thibodeaux, president and CEO of CompTIA.

“Looking ahead, the need for professionals from all backgrounds to develop, support, and protect these technologies will continue to grow,” Thibodeaux added. “In these trying times it is often difficult to think beyond today, but we must remain committed to preparing the workforce of tomorrow for success in whatever the future may hold.”

Wisconsin ranks 19th nationally in net tech employment and 21st in the total number of jobs added last year.

“The labor market for technology professionals was extremely tight during 2019, with unemployment nationwide at historic lows throughout periods of the year,” said Tim Herbert, executive vice president for research and market intelligence at CompTIA. “This speaks to the broad-based demand for tech talent across regions, industries and employers looking to capitalize on innovation that was once in the realm of science fiction, but increasingly reality.”

In fact, positions in emerging technologies accounted for 12.5% of all tech job postings in Wisconsin last year.

The estimated median tech occupation wage in Wisconsin is $68,576, 62% higher than the median wage for all occupations in the state.

Cyberstates 2020 is based on CompTIA’s analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI), Burning Glass Technologies, Hoovers and other sources.

Visit https://www.cyberstates.org/ for the latest data on the economic and employment impact of the U.S. tech industry.