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Report on U.S. IT worker shortage

Updated: Author: Alina Kanametova

Reference Guides 39 pages Anonymized Access on request

A 1997 U.S. Commerce Department report analyzing a possible shortage of core information technology workers in the United States. It summarizes demand, supply…

EB-2 NIW O-1

About this document

A 1997 U.S. Commerce Department report analyzing a possible shortage of core information technology workers in the United States. It summarizes demand, supply, competitiveness concerns, and responses, using Bureau of Labor Statistics projections and industry survey findings. The report ties the issue to projected job growth through 2005 and to limits in the education pipeline and labor market adjustments.

Key points

  • A 1997 Office of Technology Policy report on the shortage of information technology workers.
  • It cites a survey finding about 190,000 unfilled IT jobs in the United States.
  • The report uses BLS projections for computer scientists and engineers, systems analysts, and computer programmers through 2005.
  • It says more than one million new IT workers will be needed between 1994 and 2005 for growth and replacements.
  • Systems analysts are projected to rise from 483,000 to 928,000, a 92% increase.
  • Computer scientists and engineers are projected to rise from 345,000 to 655,000, a 90% increase.
  • The report lists causes including education pipeline gaps, training mismatches, industry practices, retraining needs, underrepresentation of women and minorities, and limits on immigration.
  • It says shortages could affect innovation, productivity, competitiveness, and job creation.

What is inside

  1. Definitions and worker types
  2. II. Demand for IT workers
  3. Industry IT intensity figures
  4. III. Supply adequacy and salaries

When it helps

It serves as background evidence on labor demand, shortage claims, and projected growth in core IT occupations. The report also supports broad industry-context arguments about why IT talent is in high demand.

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