Once the fastest-growing sector, the technology industry is now undergoing a major shift marked by layoffs and hiring freezes. America’s biggest job platform, Indeed, has issued a cautionary note: not all tech jobs are equally valuable in today’s market.
According to a recent Indeed study, overall tech job postings have seen a steep decline. While AI and machine learning positions remain in strong demand, traditional and entry-level roles are rapidly cooling off. Brendon Bernard, senior economist at Indeed, noted that many positions are “losing steam,” urging job seekers to rethink their career strategies.
The warning comes as companies increasingly prioritize efficiency, automation, and AI integration over labor-intensive development roles.
Tech Jobs on the Decline
Indeed flagged several positions that are no longer “hot” in the job market:
- Front-End Web Developers: Demand is shrinking as low-code platforms and ready-made design templates replace basic front-end skills.
- QA Testers: AI-powered testing tools are automating quality assurance, reducing reliance on manual testers.
- IT Support Specialists: With cloud-based systems and self-service solutions, companies require fewer in-house support teams.
- Blockchain Developers: Following the crypto downturn and tighter regulations, blockchain roles have sharply declined.
Why the Shift?
Bernard points to three major factors reshaping the tech job landscape:
- AI & Automation – Tasks once managed by large teams are now being streamlined through intelligent systems.
- Remote Work – Changing infrastructure needs have lowered demand for traditional IT roles.
- Economic Pressures – Companies are adopting selective hiring, focusing on roles tied directly to innovation and revenue growth.
“While there isn’t a single cause linking AI to the plunge, automation trends are likely driving the weakness,” Bernard explained.
Tech Jobs Still in High Demand
Despite the downturn, certain roles remain highly sought-after. Positions such as:
- AI/ML Engineers
- Cybersecurity Analysts
- Cloud Architects
- Data Scientists
These align with companies’ priorities around intelligent systems, data-driven insights, and security-first architecture.
Where Demand Is Rising vs. Falling
Largest Declines in Tech Job Postings
- Web Developer: –72%
- .NET Developer: –68%
- Java Developer: –68%
- Front-End Developer: –67%
- iOS Developer: –62%
- UX Designer: –61%
- Programmer Analyst: –58%
- QA Engineer: –57%
- Senior Java Developer: –55%
- Software Test Engineer: –53%
Largest Increases in Tech Job Postings
- SAP Lead: +356%
- AI/ML Engineer: +334%
- Oracle HCM Manager: +263%
- Data Center Technician: +144%
- SAP Consultant: +98%
- Oracle Consultant: +67%
- Staff Software Engineer: +60%
- Machine Learning Engineer: +59%
- Technology Lead: +51%
- Platform Engineer: +43%