Opportunities Abound in Utah’s Software and Information Technology Arenas

Thanks to companies like Adobe, Ancestry, Domo, Micron, Qualtrics, Pluralsight, and many others, Utah is one of the nation’s top states for information technology employment. The state consistently ranks high on the list of fastest-growing states for tech jobs.

In 2019, Utah tech jobs grew by 4.6%. Tech companies supported one in seven Utah jobs and represented one-sixth of worker earnings, generating over $2.5 billion in tax revenue annually. In addition to 118,600 Utah jobs in the tech industry itself, tech-related firms provided 50,100 jobs in related industries.

Another 43,800 Utah employees worked in technology occupations for non-tech companies. The state has high concentrations of software developers, web developers, computer and information research scientists, and many other IT-related professions.

Growing Silicon Slopes Impact

Silicon Slopes, a nonprofit formed over a decade ago, connects members of Utah’s growing tech sector. In 2019, Silicon Slopes joined forces with the Utah Technology Council to empower Utah’s tech community.

“We’ve seen remarkable growth in the tech industry here in Utah,” said Clint Betts, Silicon Slopes executive director. “Entrepreneurs are focused on providing opportunities for their employees as well as providing needed solutions that can have a local and global impact.”

For example, Utah tech industry partners stepped up to provide wraparound funding through the Silicon Slopes Computer Science Fund at the Community Foundation of Utah to help ensure every child has the opportunity to learn critical computer science skills needed to unlock their full potential.

This effort supports the state’s desire to fund computer science education for every Utah student from kindergarten through high school. Collaboration between industry, government, and education leaders helped align similar efforts through a statewide plan.

Opportunities to Grow Throughout the State

Salt Lake and Utah counties provide most of Utah’s tech jobs, but the industry creates economic opportunity throughout the state. Homegrown and transplant tech innovators leverage decades of private and public investments in Utah’s tech sector.

With one of the nation’s strongest economies, Utah continues to experience low unemployment across all strategic sectors despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the next five years, the most significant labor force needs are likely to be software application developers, computer and information systems managers, computer user support specialists, and systems software developers.

“Providing Utah students with the skills they need to thrive is critically important, and it starts with enabling our teachers who are the key to increasing computer science learning opportunities for students,” said Aaron Skonnard, co-founder and CEO of Pluralsight.

Pluralsight, Inc. has entered into a multi-year partnership with the Utah State Board of Education to advance K-12 computer science training through its social enterprise, Pluralsight One. The partnership will support teacher and staff training that ensures computer science education will be an essential part of school curriculums across the state.

Women in Tech

The Women Tech Council’s growing influence spotlights the importance of inclusivity in the technology sector.

“With more than 13 years of creating scalable programs from high school to the boardroom, we have seen an incredible impact in changing the career trajectories of thousands of women,” said Cydni Tetro, president of Women Tech Council. “By uniting leaders and companies across the tech industry, we’ve activated more than 17,000 girls into STEM fields through internships, mentoring, opportunities and inspiration to expand the talent pipeline and help close the gender gap in tech.”

With Silicon Slopes leading the charge, all of Utah is onboard to support the tech industry and its continual growth.