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CompTIA Cyberstates 2020™ report reveals tech’s impact in the Prairie State

Springfield, Ill. – Information technology (IT) employment in Illinois grew by more than 5,400 net new jobs in 2019, capping a decade in which the state’s tech-related labor force expanded by some 59,400 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 5,436 workers in 2019, up 1.2% over 2018.[1]

From 2010 through 2019 tech employment in Illinois grew by 15.6%. Tech workers now make up 7% of the state’s workforce. There are more than 22,000 tech business establishments in Illinois.

At $55.5 billion the tech sector accounts for an estimated 7% of the total economy in Illinois. The dollar amount is the 10^th highest among the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The Chicago metro area ranks ninth nationally in the dollar value of its tech sector’s contribution to the local economy – $50.3 billion.

“Technology powered job growth and economic gains in the past decade in Illinois 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.”

Illinois ranks seventh nationally in net tech employment and 18^th 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 18.7% of all tech job postings in Illinois last year.

The estimated median tech occupation wage in Illinois is $82,966, 80% 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.

About CompTIA
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is a leading voice and advocate for the $5.2 trillion global information technology ecosystem; and the estimated 75 million industry and tech professionals who design, implement, manage, and safeguard the technology that powers the world’s economy. Through education, training, certifications, advocacy, philanthropy, and market research, CompTIA is the hub for advancing the tech industry and its workforce. Visit www.comptia.org to learn more.

Contact:

Steven Ostrowski
CompTIA
630-678-8468
[email protected]­
www.comptia.org