RALEIGH – With numerous artificial intelligence startups in the Triangle and Charlotte, demand for workers with AI skills is surging. But other skills from automation to software to systems management are also needed as high-tech job openings across North Carolina continue to grow.

So reports talent management firm Greene Resources, which compiles data used for the monthly IT Job Trends Report from the North Carolina Technology Association.

“Automation and artificial intelligence were two skillsets that grew notably [in November],” reports Jason deFreitas, Vice President of Recruiting Solutions at Greene Resources.

Great news for tech job hunters: Open positions climb to near-record levels

“From 2018, the demand for Automation in positions grew 3110% while jobs requiring artificial intelligence skills increased 204 percent.”

Overall, software positions topped 8,000. But deFreitas found demand in other areas also is quite strong.

“Computer Network Support Specialist positions are showing strong growth, increasing over 400 percent from last year.”

Other skills in high demand:

  • Controller Area Network (7279% growth from 2018)
  • Information Systems (7094%)
  • Architecture (5100%)
  • Operating Systems (4169%)
  • Databases (3444%)
Most needed jobs by type

From the report:

Occupations Nov ‘19, change from 2018
  • Software Developers 8,031, +27.3%
  • Network + Computer Systems Administrators 3,306, +11.5%
  • Computer Systems Analysts 2,818, +8.5%
  • Computer User Support Specialists 2,791, +8.6%
  • Information Technology Project Managers 2,898, +14.5%
  • Computer Systems Engineers/Architects 2,509, +17.2%
  • Information Security Analysts 2,333, +17.4%
  • Computer + Information Systems Managers 1,705, +17.3%
  • Web Developers 1,646, -0.2%
  • Software Quality Assurance Engineers 1,154, +6.0%
  • TOTALS Including All Others 31,229, +14.5%
TOP 10 Hard Skills/certifications needed

Skill, open jobs

  • Java 6,757
  • Software Development 6,327
  • Best Practices 6,147
  • Structured Query Language 5,518
  • Oracle 5,010
  • Computer Science 4,989
  • Python 4,969
  • Linux 4,738
  • JavaScript 4,553
  • Application Development 4,480