The State of IT Jobs in 2025: A Boom Time for IT Projects
Increased IT Investments and Strategic Cost-Cutting Measures
The coming year will be a boom time for IT projects, but the impact depends on where you sit. Companies plan to increase tech investments to respond to business challenges or to fund new initiatives. However, these same organizations will be sizing budgets and balancing spending through strategic tech cost-cutting measures.
Key Findings
- 43% of executives said their businesses intend to increase IT staff size compared to 32% two years ago.
- 57% of employers said they have trouble finding employees with the required expertise and potential candidates aren’t very confident in some in-demand IT skills.
- IT talent gaps were most pronounced in cybersecurity, data analysis, scripting/coding, and conflict resolution.
- Confidence in artificial intelligence (AI) skills was also low at 57%.
- Overall tech budget growth is expected to accelerate in 2025, with nearly two-thirds (64%) of companies planning to increase their IT budgets.
Top Drivers Behind Technology Budget Growth
- Increased security concerns (53%)
- Priority on IT projects (47%)
- Need to update infrastructure (45%)
- Employee growth (45%)
- Inflation (45%)
IT Automation and Strategic Cost-Cutting Measures
- 76% of respondents said IT automation is the best investment for money.
- 72% said gigabit Wi-Fi is well worth the investment.
- 68% said they see value in AI and edge computing.
- 64% said they see value in Blockchain.
Disconnect Between IT Staff and Senior Leaders
- IT staff are two times more likely to be concerned about wages not keeping up with the cost of living and teams being asked to do more with less than senior management.
- 54% of IT staff believe their company is not spending enough to support its technology needs, while most hiring managers believe they’re spending either enough or more than enough.
Conclusion
The report suggests a mixed bag for IT professionals in 2025. While there are opportunities for growth and investment, there are also challenges related to talent gaps, cost-cutting measures, and skepticism about the value of AI. IT leaders should prioritize listening to their staff and addressing their concerns to ensure the success of their organizations.
FAQs
Q: What is the projected growth rate for IT budgets in 2025?
A: 9% year over year.
Q: What are the top drivers behind technology budget growth?
A: Increased security concerns, priority on IT projects, need to update infrastructure, employee growth, and inflation.
Q: What are the most in-demand IT skills?
A: Cybersecurity, data analysis, scripting/coding, conflict resolution, and AI.
Q: How do IT staff and senior leaders view the value of AI?
A: Senior leaders are more likely to say AI is worth it, while IT staff are less inclined to see the value.
Q: What are the most important IT career skills?
A: Core technical knowledge, problem-solving, cybersecurity, written and verbal communication, and team collaboration.
