| January 2007 |
 |
| Many types of skills are in demand across diverse industries |
|
| With an unemployment rate that has tumbled from 5.0% to 3.9% since last July, things are looking lively in Baltimore these days, and the IT sector is leading the way. IT staffing consultancy Robert Half Technology, whose first-quarter IT Hiring Index was just released, finds that 19% of local CIOs plan to make new hires this quarter. And according to the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey, from January to March, a dramatic 42% of the companies interviewed (across all industries) plan to hire more employees.
|
|
Among the categories where Manpower sees the most action are public utilities, education, services, and public administration. Timm Brown, branch manager for IT recruiter Sapphire Technologies, agreed that government is looking to hire IT specialists, and he also mentioned healthcare and financial services as two more areas for job candidates to search. In fact, a look at the technology job listings in the Baltimore Business Journal in early January revealed that every listing was related to some aspect of the healthcare or pharmaceutical sectors.
Asked what job titles are in demand, Brown said, "We see a need for project managers, senior quality assurance/testers, web developers, and software engineers. Help desk and desktop support work is also starting to come on strong. We have a very steady market, and it seems to be very good for job seekers looking for both permanent and contract work."
|
|
| "We have a very steady market, and it seems to be very good for job seekers looking for both permanent and contract work" |
| - Timm Brown, branch manager of Sapphire Technologies |
|
Brown pointed out the region is doing what it can to build a knowledge economy, saying that the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development has been working hard to enact legislation designed to assist residents seeking jobs and invigorate local businesses. "Some of their efforts include the ratification of a Biotechnology Investment Tax Credit program which has helped to spur the growth of this industry in the local area," he added. The state also offers an R&D tax credit to help Maryland maintain its competitive advantage in attracting and retaining technology businesses.
"The Baltimore area has experienced strong market performance for the year and December is showing a healthy flow of activity as well. I believe 2007 will offer more of the same," Brown added.
The Dice numbers back him up. Baltimore has its largest number of Dice listings ever right now, up 36% in the fourth quarter. "We're pleased to see the Baltimore market steadily improving," said Scot Melland, CEO of Dice. "The listings span all sectors and all skills. There's plenty to choose from." Note that salaries are on the rise as well. The 2006 Dice Salary Survey found that IT salaries in the region were up 5.71% over 2005 to $79.911, a rise that was the best in the East and exceeded only by that of San Diego, Seattle, Los Angeles, and Phoenix.
It's also worth noting that Baltimore is home to the Greater Baltimore Technology Council, one of the country's most fully fleshed-out organizations to promote the expansion of the local tech sector. The organization’s Tech Nites and Mosh Pits (where college students create business plans and compete for large cash prizes) are notable Baltimore events. More cities could use this kind of highly organized boosterism to help guarantee a continually flourishing tech economy.
If you would like to be interviewed for the next Dice market report, or if you have comments about this article, please contact us at feedback@dice.com.
|
|
|
|
|
| Dice job postings in Baltimore are up 39% since Jan. |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
