Methodology

Digital Tech Occupations with SOC codes:

SOC Occupation Title
13-1080 Logisticians and Project Management Specialists
13-2050 Financial Analysts and Advisors
15-1221 Computer and Information Research Scientists
15-1211 Computer Systems Analysts
15-1212 Information Security Analysts
15-1251 Computer Programmers
15-1256 Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
15-1231 Computer Network Support Specialists
15-1232 Computer User Support Specialists
15-1241 Computer Network Architects
15-1244 Network and Computer Systems Administrators
15-1245 Database Administrators and Architects
15-1257 Web Developers and Digital Interface Designers
15-1299 Computer Occupations, All Other
15-2051 Data Scientist
17-2061 Computer Hardware Engineers
17-2071 Electrical Engineers
17-2072 Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
17-3012 Electrical and Electronics Drafters
17-3023 Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
17-3024 Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians

The occupations (SOCs) included on the Occupations page had to meet the following two thresholds:

High Demand

  • Projected annual growth for SOC > average projected annual growth for all occupations in at least one MSA in the region AND
  • Current demand for SOC > average current demand for all occupations in at least one MSA in the region

Family Sustaining Wage

  • The salary earned by the average entry level worker exceeds the living wage for that MSA (1 adult, 1 child)
  • Time period: 2022
  • Source: MIT living wage calculator

Other Definitions:

Average Entry Level Salary

  • Salary at the 10th percentile point in the earnings distribution
  • Time period: Q1 2023
  • Source: Lightcast

Current Demand

  • Annual Job ads (0-5 yrs) / current workforce for SOC (place of work)
  • Time period: January 2022-December 2022 (entry-level jobs ads) and Q1 2023 (current workforce)
  • Source: Lightcast

Employment/Current Workforce

  • Number of jobs for a given digital tech occupation
  • Time period: Q1 2023
  • Source: Lightcast

Entry Level Job Ads

  1. Number of job ads advertising 0-5 years of experience
  2. Time period: January 2022-December 2022
  3. Source: Lightcast

Median Salary

  • Median earnings of the incumbent workforce
  • Time period: Q1 2023
  • Source: Lightcast

Preferred Certifications

  • Top certifications requested in job postings requesting 0-5 yrs exp and a BA or less, by SOC
  • Time period: 2022
  • Source: Lightcast

Projected Annual Growth

  • The forecasted annual number of new jobs over one year
  • Time period: Q1 2023
  • Source: Lightcast

Top 10 Skills Requested

  • Top ten skill subcategories requested in job postings requesting 0-5 years experience and a BA or less, by SOC
  • Time period: 2022
  • Source: Lightcast