Unemployment rate drops in tech during coronavirus pandemic
The unemployment rate for individuals in computer occupations declined from 3% in January 2020 to 2.8% in April 2020. At the same time, the unemployment rate for individuals in all other occupations increased from 4% to 15%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. read full report
Why did professionals in computer occupations fare much better than other workers during the coronavirus pandemic? One reason is the skills used by computer professionals generally can be performed remotely. The skills in computer occupations are in high demand today and likely will be in even higher demand in the future as more work moves online. In fiscal year 2019, 66% of H-1B beneficiaries were in computer-related occupations. The data raise questions about the Trump administration's ability to use the unemployment rate to justify the new restrictions being considered for H-1B visa holders and international students working on Optional Practical Training (OPT). So the low unemployment rate in tech is a pretty good news to people still want to live and work in United States. As of May 13, 2020, there were 625,702 active job vacancy postings advertised online in the previous 30-day period for jobs in the most common computer occupations that generally require a bachelor's degree or higher.
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