Entry-Level Hiring in Tech Industry Sees Significant Decline

Graduating seniors, it’s not just your imagination – the tech industry’s reduction in entry-level hiring has reached alarming levels. According to Aneesh Raman, LinkedIn’s chief economic opportunity officer, the “bottom rung of the career ladder” is “breaking” due to AI eliminating traditional entry-level positions, as reported in The New York Times last week.

A recent report by SignalFire, a venture firm, reveals startling statistics: the 15 largest tech companies have seen a 50% decline in hiring new graduates since 2019. Before the pandemic, graduates made up 15% of Big Tech hires, but this figure has dropped to just 7%, as outlined in the SignalFire State of Talent Report 2025.

A Shift in Tech Industry Hiring Trends

Despite the concerning headlines, there is some positive news. The tech industry is not shrinking, but rather, tech roles are becoming more dispersed across various industries, including healthcare, finance, and retail. Recent research indicates that tech jobs are projected to grow from 6 million this year to 7.1 million by 2034. Additionally, software developers currently face a relatively low 2.2% unemployment rate, which is half the national rate. However, companies are increasingly seeking candidates with AI skills, with 87% of hiring leaders valuing AI experience, and nearly a quarter of all job postings now requiring it, as reported by the WSJ.