Tech Job Market 2025: Is CS Still Safe?

Despite headlines about tech layoffs, the 2025 job market tells a more nuanced story. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall tech employment sits 3.2% above pre-pandemic levels, with software development roles leading growth at 8.1% year-over-year.

The disconnect between perception and reality stems from concentration bias. High-profile layoffs at companies like Meta, Amazon, and Google generate significant media coverage, but these represent less than 2% of total tech employment. Meanwhile, thousands of smaller companies, startups, and traditional enterprises continue aggressive tech hiring.

For Computer Science graduates, the market remains fundamentally strong. The CompTIA Tech Jobs Report projects 371,000 new technology positions in 2025, with software engineering comprising the largest segment at 156,000 openings.

Tech layoffs in 2024 affected approximately 180,000 workers, primarily concentrated in big tech and over-hired pandemic darlings. However, this must be contextualized against a tech workforce of nearly 5.2 million professionals.

The layoff narrative obscures several positive trends:

• Enterprise digital transformation: Traditional companies accelerated tech hiring by 23% as they compete with digital-native firms
• AI boom hiring: Machine learning and AI engineering roles grew 34% year-over-year, with salaries increasing 12% on average
• Cybersecurity expansion: Security roles show 19% growth as companies respond to increased threat landscapes
• Remote work normalization: Geographic constraints removed, opening opportunities for talent in non-tech hubs

Many laid-off engineers found new positions within 90 days, often with salary increases. The software engineer job market remains particularly resilient, with multiple offers common for experienced developers.

The 2025 hiring landscape varies significantly by specialization. Some roles face headwinds while others see explosive demand.

Salary growth in tech has moderated from pandemic highs but remains strong compared to other industries. The median software engineer salary reached $127,000 in 2025, representing 4.2% year-over-year growth.

Geographic salary disparities are narrowing as remote work becomes standard. Engineers in traditionally lower-cost markets now command 80-90% of Silicon Valley salaries when working for major tech companies remotely.

Key salary trends include:

• AI specialization premium: Machine learning engineers earn 15-25% above general software engineers
• Security skills bonus: Cybersecurity professionals see 12-18% salary premiums
• Experience multiplier: Senior engineers (5+ years) command 40-60% higher salaries than entry-level
• Company stage variation: Late-stage startups often match or exceed big tech total compensation

The skills landscape continues evolving rapidly. While foundational programming abilities remain essential, specialized skills command premium compensation and job security.

Despite market volatility, Computer Science remains one of the most recession-resistant career paths. Historical data shows tech employment recovers faster and stronger than other sectors during economic downturns.

Several factors support long-term career security in tech:

• Digital transformation acceleration: Every company is becoming a technology company, driving sustained demand
• Skills transferability: Programming and system design skills apply across industries and roles
• Continuous innovation: New technologies like AI and quantum computing create entirely new job categories
• Global opportunity: Remote work enables access to worldwide job markets

However, career safety increasingly depends on continuous learning and adaptation. The half-life of technical skills continues to shorten, making lifelong learning essential for career longevity.

Looking ahead, several trends will shape the tech employment landscape:

1. AI Integration Everywhere: Every software role will require some AI/ML familiarity as these tools become standard development aids
2. Cybersecurity Criticality: Security skills will become non-negotiable as cyber threats multiply and regulations tighten
3. Cloud-Native Default: Traditional on-premise infrastructure knowledge becomes less valuable as cloud-first becomes standard
4. Remote Work Maturation: Geographic arbitrage decreases but global talent competition increases
5. Quantum Computing Emergence: Early-stage opportunities in quantum algorithms and quantum-classical hybrid systems

The most successful tech professionals will be those who develop T-shaped skills: deep expertise in one area combined with broad familiarity across multiple domains.