Each Thursday, we’ll take a look a specific demographic, occupation or research trend “by the numbers.” We’ll tell you who’s city is at the top and point you in the direction to find out more. This week, we’ll take a look at technology talent. We’ll ask questions such as where are computer programmers and scientists? What are their average salaries? Download the full report below.
“First the basics, nationally there are approximately 389,000 computer programmers and nearly 26,000 computer scientists. Interesting, five metros – New York, Chicago, Washington, DC, Dallas-Forth and Los Angeles – account for more than 27% of the nation’s computer programming talent (See Figure 1). Likewise, two metros – Washington, DC and New, York – have 20% of the nation’s computer scientists – almost 5,300 (See Figure 2). By 2014, the nation’s computer programming and science talent pools are expected to grow to almost 493,000 – a 19% increase over 2005.”
Download “By The Numbers: Tech Talent” report
Posted by Steven Pedigo (BIG shout out to Jim Kaminski, of Georgetown University, for his research assistance in putting this “By The Numbers” Report together)
March 15th, 2007 at 5:35 pm
This raises the interesting question of who or what is a computer programmer? I’m wondering because I’m an absolute non-expert, but the post reminded me of this article from the February 8th Oregonian. I’ll just copy and paste the whole story here. If this is accurate, then the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimate may be low in counting actual high-tech jobs, although maybe they’re just allocated to the wrong sector.
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Study: 10% of Oregon software workers are their own boss
More than 50,000 people in Oregon work in software jobs, according to a new study, and more than 1 in 10 of those is self-employed.
The report, due out today, was commissioned from economic research firm ECONorthwest by the Software Association of Oregon. Software has historically been among the smallest parts of the state’s high-tech economy, which is dominated by hardware manufacturers such as Intel.
However, ECONorthwest concluded that more than half of Oregon’s software jobs are hidden at Intel and other companies that develop software as a complement to their core business. The state also has a high profile within the vibrant community of open-source software developers, which includes Oregonians working at Intel and IBM in Washington County, or as independent freelancers.
ECONorthwest estimated that Oregon had 5,900 self-employed software developers in 2005, up from around 5,000 in 2002. Overall, the economic researchers pegged software’s direct impact on the Oregon economy at $9.2 billion.
March 16th, 2007 at 9:41 am
It would be helpful if the top ten and bottom ten were listed in the report.
March 16th, 2007 at 7:21 pm
Michael- Thanks for the spot-on comments.