[October 2026] Tech Job Market Trends Monthly

Welcome to the 10th issue of Tech Job Market Monthly! You can check out the previous issues of Tech Job Market Monthly here.

So, a quick recap of how this works:

Each month, we sit down and check out the US job market for each major field in tech, so that you can get a mile-high view of how each industry is looking.

Why the US?

Mainly because it's the biggest market and because a lot of the other markets trail the US by a few months. This means it's fairly indicative of upcoming trends in other regions as well, although there may be specific geographic factors where you're based.

How do we come up with this information?

For now, we do this by evaluating data from 2 sources:

• LinkedIn Dice, and

• Google trends

This way, we can look at the number of open jobs available for each role, alongside current search trends, to get a better picture of what's happening in the tech job market.

IMPORTANT:

We've made a change to our job data source this month, which I'll explain in the overview below as it has a pretty huge impact on this months numbers.

With all that out of the way, let's get into the data for October 2026!

Current Job Trends in the Tech Industry for October 2026

I know some of you just want the hard data, so I've made a handy dandy table showing the total number of job openings for each role and the month-over-month ("MoM") change.

Before I share that though, I don't want you to freak out so it's a little further down the page. There's something important we need to cover first, as we've had to make a fairly significant change to how we collect our job market data this month.

Why we've switched from LinkedIn to Dice

If you've been following these reports, you'll know we've always used LinkedIn to track the number of available jobs for each role.

We chose LinkedIn because it covers a wide range of industries and employers, giving us a useful snapshot of the broader US job market. And by checking the same searches each month, we could see whether the number of advertised jobs was increasing or decreasing.

Not only that, but you'll have companies advertising tech jobs that are not always a 'tech' company. Places like Finance, Healthcare, etc. So this shows us a broader picture that just using a tech job platform.

Unfortunately, LinkedIn has recently changed how it displays job search results...

So instead of showing the total number of available jobs, it now just displays "99+" and limits accessible search results to 1,000 listings.

This means we can no longer reliably collect the job counts we've been tracking throughout the year.

So, for October, we've switched to Dice, a job board specializing in technology roles that still provides numerical job listing totals.

It's not an ideal situation, particularly when we've spent nine months tracking the same searches. But Dice gives us a way to continue collecting job numbers across the different tech careers we're following.

There's one important catch, though.

LinkedIn and Dice don't show the same jobs

LinkedIn covers a wider market so there will be more jobs posted on there for certain roles like Data Analyst or UX Design, etc. While DIce is almost exclusively tech focused, so we're going to see a drop in certain roles.

This is not indicative of the whole industry. It's more like we were at the food court before and could show you all the options, and now we're at pizza hut, and so there's no burger option.

Burgers still exist and are out there by the hundreds of thousands. There's just not at Pizza hut. Same here with the Dice listings.

The tech jobs are out there in much larger numbers if you look around. But because we want s single source of truth so we can compare each month and see the trends, that's why we'll be using Dice. Obviously this will have a HUGE impact on last months numbers.

So while we'll continue adding October's numbers to our historical charts, any increase or decrease between September and October is almost certainly the change in platform rather than an actual shift in hiring demand.

We'll still show the percentage differences in our table, but keep that distinction in mind as we work through the results.

So what's going on this month?

With that explained, here's what the latest numbers look like:

Well, the first thing that jumps out is just how different some of these numbers are!

Software Engineer listings have gone from 36,784 on LinkedIn in September to 76,803 on Dice in October. Software Developer listings have also jumped from 47,770 to 76,761.

That's over 153,000 listings across those two searches alone, which is encouraging to see if you're looking for work in software development.

However, the differences go both ways. Some roles show considerably fewer listings on Dice, while others have much higher numbers.

As we mentioned above, that doesn't necessarily mean demand has increased or decreased. This is actually why we originally chose LinkedIn, as its wider range of employers and industries gave us a broader snapshot of the job market.

For all we know, there could be similar numbers of jobs advertised on LinkedIn as there were last month. However, we just can't see the totals anymore, which makes it impossible to know whether those numbers have actually changed.

Still, there are plenty of interesting figures worth exploring, particularly when we combine them with Google Trends and recent industry developments.

So, let's break down each role in more detail.

1. Software Developer and Software Engineer

Dice/Job Data (US) - October 2026:

• 76,803 Software Engineer (+108.8%/monthly)

• 76,761 Software Developer (+60.7%/monthly)

Google Keywords Trend graphs:

Well, that's quite a jump in the numbers!

Dice is showing 76,803 Software Engineer jobs and 76,761 Software Developer jobs this month, compared with 36,784 and 47,770 respectively on LinkedIn in September.

Of course, as we covered in the overview, this doesn't mean hiring has suddenly doubled. We're using a different platform now, and there may be considerable overlap between the two searches.

Still, it's encouraging to see so many opportunities advertised for both roles.

Outside of actual job numbers, I think the advice from last month still stands. Companies increasingly expect developers to be comfortable using AI coding tools like GitHub Copilot, Cursor, and Claude Code as part of their everyday work.

That doesn't mean you can skip learning how to code. If anything, understanding what your code does, spotting mistakes, and knowing how to fix problems becomes even more important when AI is helping you write it.

So if you're learning software development, I'd focus on building those fundamentals while getting comfortable using AI tools in your workflow.

If you haven't already, our Claude Code course is a good place to start:

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Want to get started in these roles? Check out the career path below. It will help you get set up in both Software Development and Software Engineering roles:

2. AI and Machine Learning Engineer

Dice/Job Data (US) - October 2026:

• 7,683 AI Engineer (-24.4%/monthly)

• 3,084 ML Engineer (-25.1%/monthly)

Google Keywords Trend graphs:

Dice is showing 7,683 AI Engineer jobs and 3,084 Machine Learning Engineer jobs this month, compared with 10,156 and 4,117 respectively on LinkedIn in September.

Both figures are lower, but as we've already covered, we can't tell how much of that difference comes down to the change in platforms. Still, that's a substantial number of opportunities, particularly when you consider how specialized these roles can be.

As I've said in previous issues, I still think these are both great areas to get into, especially as more companies look for ways to put AI into their products and everyday operations. Companies need people who can do more than experiment with AI tools. They need people who can build something useful, get it working reliably, and keep improving it as requirements change.

So if you're interested in either career, I'd focus on developing those practical skills and building projects that demonstrate you can put AI to work in real applications.

Want to get started in these roles? Check out the career paths below:

3. Data Scientist

Dice/Job Data (US) - October 2026:

• 1,541 Data Scientist (-70.5%/monthly)

Google Keywords Trend graph:

Dice is showing 1,541 Data Scientist jobs this month, compared with 5,217 on LinkedIn in September.

That's quite a difference, but given that Data Scientists work across so many industries, I wouldn't be surprised if LinkedIn's broader coverage accounts for at least some of it. After all, Data Scientists aren't just employed by tech companies. They're also needed in finance, healthcare, retail, manufacturing, and plenty of other industries. So a specialist tech job board like Dice might not capture the same range of opportunities.

And that's something worth remembering if you're looking for work in this field. Rather than limiting your search to tech companies or jobs with the exact title of Data Scientist, look at the problems businesses are trying to solve with their data.

You might find opportunities in industries you hadn't considered, or under related titles that still involve statistical analysis, predictive modeling, and machine learning.

So while Dice is showing fewer listings than LinkedIn did last month, I wouldn't interpret that as a reason to avoid Data Science. If anything, it's a reminder to cast a wider net when looking for opportunities.

Want to get started in this role? Check out the career path below:

4. Cybersecurity Analyst and Cybersecurity Specialist

Dice/Job Data (US) - October 2026:

• 758 Cybersecurity Specialist (-78.6%/monthly)

• 1,315 Cybersecurity Analyst (-47.3%/monthly)

Google Keywords Trend graph:

Interesting results for cybersecurity this month. Dice is showing 758 Cybersecurity Specialist jobs and 1,315 Cybersecurity Analyst jobs, compared with 3,543 and 2,496 respectively on LinkedIn in September.

That's quite a difference, particularly for Cybersecurity Specialists. However, I suspect yet again that most of this comes down to how the two platforms categorize these roles, as well as the wider range of employers advertising on LinkedIn.

One thing I definitely wouldn't read into these numbers is that companies suddenly need fewer cybersecurity professionals.

As we've discussed in previous issues, cybersecurity is changing as AI becomes more capable. Security teams can use AI to help investigate threats, analyze suspicious activity, and automate some of the repetitive work that previously took up their time. But attackers are using AI too, which creates new challenges for the people defending these systems.

They're not going to remove the humans from the equation.

So if you're looking to get into cybersecurity, I'd focus on building a solid understanding of security fundamentals while learning how AI is changing both sides of the equation.

That way, you're developing skills that remain useful as the tools and threats continue to evolve. That’s also why I keep recommending our AI for Ethical Hacking and Cybersecurity Bootcamp:

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Want to get started in this role? Check out the career path below:

5. AI Developer and Prompt Engineer

Dice/Job Data (US) - October 2026:

• 7,686 AI Developer (+1,891.2%/monthly)

• 80 Prompt Engineer (+116.2%/monthly)

Google Keywords Trend graphs:

Now here's an interesting difference!

Dice is showing 7,686 AI Developer jobs this month, compared with just 386 on LinkedIn in September. That's a huge jump in reported listings. This is almost certainly due to the fact that this is more of a focused tech job board.

Meanwhile, Prompt Engineer remains a much smaller category.

As I've been saying almost every month, though, the number of jobs specifically titled "Prompt Engineer" doesn't tell you how valuable prompting is as a skill. (You probably know that unless you've just woken up from a three-year coma).

Prompting is increasingly part of other jobs, particularly in AI development, software engineering, and data-related roles. So if you're interested in working with AI, I'd focus on learning how to build useful applications and work effectively with AI models, rather than limiting yourself to jobs with "Prompt Engineer" in the title.

Those skills can open up a much wider range of opportunities.

Want to get started in these roles or pick up these skills? Check out the career path and courses below:

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6. UX and UI Designer

Dice/Job Data (US) - October 2026:

• 171 UX/UI Designer (-77.4%/monthly)

Google Keywords Trend graph:

Dice is showing just 171 UX/UI Designer jobs this month, compared with 758 on LinkedIn in September. That's a pretty substantial difference, but I suspect the specialist nature of Dice plays a part here. After all, UX and UI Designers aren't just needed at technology companies. They work across all sorts of industries, helping businesses improve their websites, applications, and digital experiences.

So while Dice is showing fewer opportunities, I wouldn't take that as evidence that demand for designers has suddenly dropped.

That said, I do think AI is changing what employers expect from designers.

Tools can now help generate layouts, prototypes, and interface designs much faster than before. But creating something that looks good is only part of the job. You still need to understand what users are trying to achieve, identify problems with an experience, test your ideas, and make decisions based on what you learn.

That's why I'd focus on demonstrating those skills in your portfolio, rather than simply showing off polished designs. Being able to explain why you made a design decision, and how it improved the experience for users, is going to be increasingly valuable as AI tools become more capable.

Want to get started in this role? Check out the career path below:

7. DevOps Engineer

Dice/Job Data (US) - October 2026:

• 1,567 DevOps Engineer (-49.5%/monthly)

Google Keywords Trend graph:

Dice is showing 1,567 DevOps Engineer jobs this month, compared with 3,100 on LinkedIn in September. That's quite a difference, especially considering DevOps is such an important part of modern software development. However, as we've seen with several other roles, Dice doesn't necessarily capture the same range of employers as LinkedIn.

I certainly wouldn't interpret this as a sign that DevOps is becoming less important. If anything, I think the growing adoption of AI makes the work DevOps Engineers do even more relevant. After all, building an AI-powered application is one thing. Getting it deployed, making sure it can handle real users, monitoring its performance, and keeping everything running reliably is another challenge entirely.

That's where skills like cloud infrastructure, automation, CI/CD, containers, and monitoring become so valuable. And while AI tools can help automate parts of that work, someone still needs to understand how the systems fit together, troubleshoot problems, and make sure everything is secure and reliable.

So if you're interested in DevOps, I'd focus on building those fundamentals while getting comfortable with how AI tools can help you work more efficiently.

Those are skills that apply to far more than just AI projects, and they're not going away anytime soon.

Want to get started in this role? Check out the career path below:

8. Data Engineer

Dice/Job Data (US) - October 2026:

• 2,738 Data Engineer (-65.4%/monthly)

Google Keywords Trend graph:

Dice is showing 2,738 Data Engineer jobs this month, compared with 7,922 on LinkedIn in September. That's another fairly substantial difference, although I suspect that yet again, this is just LinkedIn's broader coverage of industries playing a part here.

After all, Data Engineers aren't just needed at tech companies. Any business dealing with large amounts of data needs people who can collect, organize, and manage it. And with more companies looking to put AI into their products and workflows, I think those skills are becoming even more important.

One thing worth remembering also is that AI systems are only as useful as the data they work with.

You can have an incredibly capable model, but if the information you're feeding it is incomplete, outdated, or poorly organized, you're going to run into problems. That's why Data Engineering is such an important part of building reliable AI systems.

It's also where things like MLOps come in, bringing together Data Engineering, Machine Learning, and DevOps to help companies deploy models, monitor their performance, and keep them working as data changes.

So if you're interested in this side of AI, I'd recommend learning how these systems work together, rather than focusing exclusively on building data pipelines.

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Want to get started in this role? Check out the career path below:

9. Data Analyst

Dice/Job Data (US) - October 2026:

• 1,317 Data Analyst (-91.5%/monthly)

Google Keywords Trend graph:

Dice is showing 1,317 Data Analyst jobs this month, compared with 15,471 on LinkedIn in September. That's one of the biggest differences we've seen between the two platforms, but I suspect it's largely because Data Analysts work across so many different industries, and Dice is only showing those open roles at tech companies.

After all, businesses in finance, healthcare, retail, marketing, and plenty of other fields need people who can make sense of their data. So a specialist tech job board like Dice might not capture nearly as many of those opportunities.

As I mentioned last month, I do think AI will continue changing some of the routine work analysts do. However, being able to understand what the numbers mean, spot problems with the data, and turn that information into useful business decisions is still incredibly valuable.

That's why I'd focus on developing strong data analysis and data wrangling skills, alongside learning how to use AI tools to speed up your work.

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Want to get started in this role? Check out the career path below:

10. Blockchain Developer

Dice/Job Data (US) - October 2026:

• 66 Blockchain Developer (-90.7%/monthly)

Google Keywords Trend graph:

Dice is showing just 66 Blockchain Developer jobs this month, compared with 713 on LinkedIn in September.

That's a pretty dramatic difference, but interestingly, LinkedIn is still showing "99+" listings for the same search. So we know there are more opportunities appearing on LinkedIn than Dice is reporting, even though we can't see the actual total anymore.

Once again, (and I'm sorry to keep repeating this), this is a good example of why we need to be careful when interpreting this month's numbers. Different platforms capture different jobs, and a smaller number on Dice doesn't necessarily mean demand has fallen.

Blockchain development is also an interesting one because the skills involved aren't always advertised under the exact title of "Blockchain Developer." Depending on the company, you might find similar work advertised under titles like Smart Contract Developer, Web3 Developer, or Software Engineer, particularly when blockchain is just one part of a larger product.

And while the number of dedicated Blockchain Developer listings is relatively small, the technology is still finding practical applications. As I mentioned last month, companies like SoFi and Mastercard have been exploring blockchain-based payment infrastructure. That's a good example of how blockchain development can extend beyond cryptocurrencies and into financial systems.

So if you're interested in this field, I'd recommend developing strong software engineering fundamentals alongside more specialized skills like smart contract development and blockchain security. That way, you're not limiting yourself to a relatively small number of jobs with one specific title, and you'll have skills that transfer into other areas of software development too.

Want to get started in this role? Check out the career path below:

11. Business Intelligence Analyst

Dice/Job Data (US) - October 2026:

• 754 Business Intelligence Analyst (-35.9%/monthly)

Google Keywords Trend graph:

Dice is showing 754 Business Intelligence Analyst jobs this month, compared with 1,176 on LinkedIn in September. That's another fairly substantial difference, although it's worth remembering that Business Intelligence Analysts work across a wide range of industries, not just technology companies.

After all, almost every business needs to understand what's happening with its finances, customers, operations, and performance. Having access to data is one thing, but knowing what it means and what to do with it is another. And that's where Business Intelligence Analysts come in.

With AI making it easier to generate reports, dashboards, and visualizations, I think the ability to interpret that information and turn it into useful business recommendations is becoming even more valuable.

So if you're interested in this career, I'd focus on developing strong SQL, data visualization, and analytical skills, alongside understanding how businesses actually use data to make decisions.

Tools like Power BI and Tableau are useful to learn, but being able to explain what the numbers mean and recommend what a business should do next is what can really set you apart.

Want to get started in this role? Check out the career path below:

12. Game Developer

Dice/Job Data (US) - October 2026:

• 67 Game Developer (-89.3%/monthly)

Google Keywords Trend graph:

Dice is showing just 67 Game Developer jobs this month, compared with 627 on LinkedIn in September. That's one of the biggest differences we've seen between the two platforms.

However, just like Blockchain Developer and others, LinkedIn is still showing "99+" listings for the same search. So we know there are more opportunities appearing on LinkedIn than Dice is reporting, even though we can't see the actual total anymore. Studios and publishers may advertise their openings through specialist gaming job boards, their own career pages, or broader platforms like LinkedIn.

There's also the issue of job titles. Not every company advertises positions under "Game Developer." You might find opportunities listed as Gameplay Programmer, Unity Developer, Unreal Engine Developer, or Software Engineer, depending on the work involved.

So if you're looking to break into game development, I'd definitely recommend broadening your search rather than relying on one job title or platform.

And as we've discussed in previous issues, the games industry has been going through a difficult period, with layoffs and studio closures creating a challenging environment for job seekers. That doesn't mean there aren't opportunities, but it does mean having a strong portfolio and practical experience with a game engine like Unity or Unreal Engine can make a real difference.

I'd focus on building a few polished projects that demonstrate your programming skills, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of how games actually work.

That way, when you do find an opportunity, you've got something concrete to show employers beyond simply listing the technologies you've learned.

Want to get started in this role? Check out the career path below:

What's next?

So that's October 2026 wrapped up:

It's been an unusual month, mainly because of our switch from LinkedIn to Dice.

Some roles are showing considerably more job listings, while others have far fewer. And as we've seen with Blockchain Developer and Game Developer, LinkedIn is still showing "99+" results for searches where Dice reports fewer than 100 jobs. That's a useful reminder that no single job board gives us the complete picture.

The encouraging part is that there are still plenty of opportunities being advertised, particularly across Software Engineering, Software Development, and AI-related roles.

However, I wouldn't choose or rule out a career based on one month's job numbers, especially when we're comparing two different platforms. Instead, use these figures as a starting point. Look at the roles that interest you, explore the skills employers are asking for, and check multiple job boards to get a broader view of the opportunities available.

And remember, while AI is changing how many of these jobs are done, understanding the fundamentals and being able to apply your skills to real-world problems is still incredibly valuable.

We'll be back next month with another update, so subscribe below so you don't miss it!