Occupation statistics, such as the BLS Occupation Outlook, can be somewhat deceiving because you are only looking at the demand side of the equation. These data do not take into account the supply side which includes things such as college graduates and retirement. Obviously, differences in the regional economy will also cause these stats to vary.
For example: in Pittsburg, over three years, the regional economy has demand for 3,315 programmers but has a supply of 3,508. So while the programmer occupation is growing, there are very few job openings. Or at least, they are filled right away by the very best since this is an employers' market.
Compare this to Computer Software Engineers, Systems which has a demand for 2,781 but a supply of 2,606. Not only is this occupation growing, but there is a shortage of workers in the Pittsburg region. Just scanning some other metropolitan areas, you will see the same trend.
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Occupation statistics, such as the BLS Occupation Outlook, can be somewhat deceiving because you are only looking at the demand side of the equation. These data do not take into account the supply side which includes things such as college graduates and retirement. Obviously, differences in the regional economy will also cause these stats to vary.
For example: in Pittsburg, over three years, the regional economy has demand for 3,315 programmers but has a supply of 3,508. So while the programmer occupation is growing, there are very few job openings. Or at least, they are filled right away by the very best since this is an employers' market.
Compare this to Computer Software Engineers, Systems which has a demand for 2,781 but a supply of 2,606. Not only is this occupation growing, but there is a shortage of workers in the Pittsburg region. Just scanning some other metropolitan areas, you will see the same trend.
Source: Chmura Economics and Analytics (disclaimer: I work for this company)