Gary Higgins
- Massachusetts lost 8,251 tech jobs in 2024, the second-largest decline among U.S. states.
- CompTIA projects the state will regain about 3,000 tech jobs in 2025.
- AI dominates national demand, with 125,000 job postings tied to AI skills.
Massachusetts’ tech sector shed more than 8,200 jobs last year, marking the second-worst decline nationwide, according to CompTIA’s State of the Tech Workforce 2025 report released Tuesday.
The state’s tech workforce shrank 2.6%, falling from 319,416 jobs in 2023 to 311,165 in 2024. Only California reported a greater loss, with more than 51,000 jobs cut.
“This is a warning,” said Sara Fraim, CEO of the Mass Technology Leadership Council. “The loss is not good, but it’s not as severe as California. Tech remains strong.”
Fraim attributed the downturn to back-to-back recessions in 2023 and 2024 tied to global economic pressures, as well as remote jobs shifting out of state. Layoffs by more than 30 tech companies contributed, with major cuts from Boston-based Wayfair (NYSE: W) and software firm UKG.
Despite the declines, Massachusetts is expected to rebound in 2025. CompTIA forecasts a 1% increase in tech employment — about 3,000 jobs.
“Keeping companies here and giving startups what they need is critical,” Fraim said, adding that the Healey administration has acted but must “move faster.” Venture capitalist Eric Paley will become the state’s next economic development secretary in September, succeeding Yvonne Hao.
Nationally, AI is driving tech job demand. CompTIA recorded nearly 125,000 job postings in May 2025 requiring AI skills, a trend it expects to accelerate.
CompTIA defines “net tech employment” as including technical workers such as software developers and engineers, business professionals employed by tech firms, and self-employed tech workers — but not gig workers.