Key Points:
- Tech sector strength continues with 49 states seeing increased job postings and over 476,000 active tech positions in January 2025.
- Manufacturing job openings remain stable at 462,000, a 7.2% increase from the previous month.
- Engineering managers who act now gain access to wider talent pools and reduced hiring competition.
The U.S. job market demonstrated remarkable resilience in February, maintaining strong growth despite headwinds from trade policy uncertainties and federal spending cuts. While unemployment rose slightly in key manufacturing regions, these increases remain modest and don’t yet warrant significant concern. This creates an interesting dynamic for employers navigating today’s labor landscape.
Tech Sector Continues to Thrive
The latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) report, released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on March 11, 2025, shows the technology sector’s particular strength across the country with 6,787 net positions in January 2025, with 51,756 new job listings bringing the monthly total to over 220,000. The overall number of active job postings exceeded 476,000.
- 49 states experienced increases in tech job postings last month: California (+9,834) and Illinois (+3,476) led with the largest month-over-month gains
- Major metropolitan areas seeing significant growth in tech job postings include San Jose, San Francisco, New York City, Chicago, and Dallas
Manufacturing Sector Holds Steady
Manufacturing job openings rose to 462,000 in January 2025, a 7.2% increase from December but a 16.9% decline from January 2024’s 556,000 openings. Hiring improved to 332,000 workers, up from 300,000 in December, while separations slightly increased to 324,000 but remained below 2024 levels. Overall, the sector shows moderate growth with improved worker retention despite the evolving economic landscapes.
Key Engineering Markets See Low Unemployment Rates
While the national unemployment saw a slight increase in unemployment from 4.0 in January to 4.1 in February, unemployment rates in traditional engineering and manufacturing markets remain relatively low.
- Silicon Valley: Santa Clara (4.1%), San Francisco (3.7%), San Mateo (3.6%)
- Southern California: Los Angeles (6.1%), San Diego (4.7%), Orange County (4.1%)
- Midwest: Wisconsin (3.2%), Waukesha County/Milwaukee Metro (3.0%)
Why Employers Should Take Advantage of Today’s Market
While some uncertainty exists, the overall job market remains stable, creating a prime opportunity for employers to acquire talent. Companies that strategically build their teams now will be better positioned when economic conditions improve further.
Employer Market Advantage
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- Reduced competition for talent compared to tighter labor markets
- Increased likelihood that candidates will accept reasonable compensation packages
- Opportunity to be selective and find ideal skill matches for your organization
Consider Contingent/Contract labor
For organizations concerned about economic stability:
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- Engaging talent as contractors initially can mitigate risk during uncertain periods
- This approach offers flexibility to adapt to changing economic conditions
- Contract-to-hire arrangements allow for evaluation before making permanent commitments
- Specialized projects can be completed without long-term overhead increases
Despite some regional variations and mild increases in unemployment, both tech and manufacturing sectors are showing resilience, which creates strategic hiring opportunities. By acting decisively now, companies can secure valuable talent, maintain operational momentum, and position themselves advantageously for future growth.
Contact SoloPoint Solutions today to access specialized manufacturing talent, optimize your hiring process, and secure top candidates before competition intensifies: