Technology-related employment in New Jersey grew by more than 1,000 jobs last year and the industry as a whole directly impacts the state’s economy, according to Cyberstates 2019, a guide to tech sector analytics published by CompTIA, a technology industry association.

Cyberstates said tech employment in the state grew by 1,069 in 2018. Since 2010, it has grown by more than 18,000 new jobs. There are about 335,500 tech workers in the state currently, which makes up 7.9 percent of New Jersey’s workforce.

The industry also has an economic impact of $56 billion, Cyberstates said.

“Clearly the broad-based impact of the tech industry touches virtually every community, industry and market across New Jersey, especially when you consider the thousands of knowledge workers who rely on technology to do their jobs,” Todd Thibodeaux, CEO and president, CompTIA, said.

When looking ahead, future employment remains positive.

Cyberstates said New Jersey saw a 38 percent increase in the number of job postings related to emerging technologies, such as Internet of Things, smart cities, drones, artificial intelligence, and blockchain.

“The findings attest to a tech labor market that will remain tight as employers balance short-term needs with an eye towards the future,” Tim Herbert, senior vice president for research and market intelligence at CompTIA, said. “As digital-human models begin to unfold, employers and employees alike will face new challenges – and opportunities, in shaping the workforce of tomorrow.”

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