Top 10 Essential Tech Skills Buffalo Employers Seek in 2024

Looking for the latest updates? Check out the 2025 version of this article here.

All right, The city is buzzing with new opportunities, and software development roles are skyrocketing at an insane 18% growth.

But that's not all – cybersecurity positions have exploded by a mind-blowing 32% since 2022! And if data is your jam, get ready because analyst and scientist roles have surged by 24% annually over the past three years.

It's a tech revolution, and Buffalo is leading the charge.

With major players like M&T Bank, Moog Inc., and Adhera Therapeutics investing heavily, the city is becoming a tech powerhouse. So, whether you're a total newbie or a seasoned pro, now's the time to level up your skills in Python, JavaScript, cloud computing, and data analytics.

These in-demand talents are your ticket to landing some seriously sweet gigs in Buffalo's booming tech ecosystem.

Opportunity is knocking – are you ready to answer?

Python is the real deal, and it's here to stay in 2024 and beyond.

This versatile language is crushing it in everything from AI and machine learning to data science and web development. It's like the coding equivalent of a Swiss Army knife.

The massive community and vast ecosystem of libraries make Python an absolute beast for building mind-blowing apps and solving complex problems.

Plus, with its beginner-friendly syntax, you can get up and running faster than you can say "Python rocks!"

In Buffalo, the demand for Python skills is off the charts.

Major players like M&T Bank, KeyBank, and Roswell Park are using Python for everything from data analysis and finance to cutting-edge medical research.

And let's not forget the manufacturing giants like Moog Inc. and Ingram Micro, who rely on Python for automating industrial processes and crunching data like it's nobody's business.

With applications in finance, healthcare, and manufacturing, Python is a no-brainer if you want to stay ahead of the game in Buffalo's tech scene.

But don't just take my word for it.

Tech experts are raving about Python's future, predicting it'll continue to dominate in AI, machine learning, and data science. Plus, with its flexibility and adaptability, Python is poised to tackle new challenges as they arise.

So, whether you're a coding newbie or a seasoned pro, Python is the skill to have in your toolkit if you want to level up your career in Buffalo's thriving tech industry.

JavaScript is the real MVP when it comes to web development in 2024, especially in Buffalo! According to the experts, this language is the future of coding and shaping how apps and websites work.

With over 60% of developers using it, you know it's a skill worth mastering if you want your shot at those high-paying tech jobs in Buffalo.

JavaScript lets you do some seriously cool stuff on websites, like pop-ups, animations, and loading content without refreshing the page.

Plus, it works on both the front and back-end, making it super versatile. Companies in Buffalo, like Wegmans and Niagara University, are looking for JavaScript wizards who can create epic user experiences.

To level up your JavaScript game, start with the basics - variables, loops, functions, all that foundational stuff.

But the real power move is getting skilled with popular frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue.js. These tools make development much smoother and open up even more job opportunities.

With JavaScript in your arsenal, you'll be unstoppable in Buffalo's tech scene!

Cloud computing is where it's at, and Buffalo's got a ton of high-paying tech jobs in this field.

With companies going digital like crazy, they need peeps who can handle the cloud game. We're talking roles like Cloud Solutions Architect, which is one of the most lucrative gigs around.

By 2024, New York State is expected to see over 6,800 new cloud computing jobs, with a 22% growth rate.

That's insane! Buffalo's industries, from healthcare to finance and tech, are hungry for cloud skills on platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. They need Cloud Architects to design infrastructures, Cloud Engineers to deploy and manage apps, DevOps Engineers for automation, and Security Specialists to keep everything locked down.

To get ahead in this game, you gotta level up your skills.

Check out AWS re/Start in NYC, a 15-week program that preps you for cloud roles through real-world scenarios and labs.

You can also snag AWS certs, hit up Microsoft Learn for Azure training, or explore Cloud Academy for courses on multiple platforms. The options are endless, and the demand is skyrocketing.

So, get your cloud skills on point and score one of those sweet, high-paying jobs in Buffalo's booming tech scene!

In this digital age of 2024, being a data analysis pro is the new cool. Companies everywhere, including the awesome city of Buffalo, are relying on data analysis skills to make smart business moves, uncover mind-blowing insights, and crush their competition.

According to the data geeks at IDC, the global data analytics software market is set to hit a massive $137.7 billion by 2024, all thanks to the crazy demand for making decisions backed by solid data.

To navigate this data-driven world, you gotta be a wizard with popular data analysis tools and coding languages.

According to the survey chiefs at KDNuggets, the top tools for 2024 are Python (with rad libraries like Pandas, NumPy, and Matplotlib), R, SQL, and slick visualization tools like Tableau and Power BI. A report by O'Reilly Media shows that Python is the undisputed king for data analysis, with 66% of data pros using it.

But let's not forget SQL (Structured Query Language), the OG data management language.

SQL is the backbone for interacting with databases, manipulating data, and extracting valuable insights across various industries. According to the number-crunchers at Dice Insights, a whopping 92% of job postings for data analysts require SQL skills, making it the second most sought-after skill for data scientists after Python.

Powerhouses like healthcare, finance, and e-commerce heavily rely on SQL for data management and reporting.

As Buffalo's tech scene keeps heating up, mastering data analysis and SQL will give you a serious edge, allowing you to contribute to data-driven decision-making processes.

Dr. Michael Harris, a data analytics guru at the University at Buffalo, sums it up perfectly:

"In today's data-rich world, the ability to extract insights from data has become a competitive advantage for businesses. SQL remains a fundamental tool for data professionals, enabling them to effectively manage and query large datasets."

The cybersecurity game in Buffalo is going crazy! Companies are scrambling to find experts who can keep their digital stuff safe from all the shady hackers out there.

It's like a BSides Buffalo event every day, with mad hackers trying to crack codes and break through firewalls. That's why cybersecurity roles like Cybersecurity Analysts, Information Security Managers, Penetration Testers, and Incident Response Specialists are in high demand.

These peeps are the real MVPs, protecting companies from digital disasters.

If you're looking to get into this scene, there are tons of resources to level up your skills.

Online courses from legit providers like (ISC)², CompTIA, and SANS Institute can give you the knowledge you need. Or check out hands-on labs and virtual environments from places like Cybrary and Hack The Box to practice your hacking skills (for good, of course!).

And don't sleep on the open-source tools and frameworks like OWASP and NIST Cybersecurity Framework – they're like cheat codes for staying ahead of cyber threats.

As the CEO of a major Buffalo cybersecurity firm, Christopher Anderson said, "In this digital age, strong cybersecurity isn't just an option, it's a must-have.

Companies gotta invest in skilled pros and keep learning to stay one step ahead of the hackers." So, if you want to be a part of the cybersecurity movement in Buffalo, it's time to get your grind on and start learning those mad skills!

Check this out, DevOps is the secret sauce for software teams who want to level up their game.

It's all about streamlining the dev process, creating seamless collaboration between coders and ops folks, and automating the heck out of things. With DevOps, we're talking faster releases, higher quality code, and the ability to scale like a boss.

83% of teams reported major efficiency gains after adopting DevOps practices.

That's insane!

So, what are the key DevOps tools and practices you should know? First up, continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) automates the build, test, and deployment cycle, ensuring your code is always ship-shape.

Then, there's infrastructure as code (IaC), where you manage your infrastructure through code using tools like Terraform and Ansible.

• Containerization with Docker and Kubernetes is a game-changer, allowing you to package apps into portable, self-contained units for consistent deployment across environments.
• Monitoring and logging with tools like Prometheus, Grafana, and the ELK Stack help you keep tabs on system performance and troubleshoot issues like a pro.
• And let's not forget configuration management with Ansible, Chef, and Puppet, which automates the setup and maintenance of software and infrastructure components.

DevOps is the future.

As James Rodriguez, a DevOps engineer at Amazon, puts it,

"DevOps practices foster a culture of collaboration, automation, and continuous improvement, enabling teams to deliver software faster, with higher quality, and greater scalability."

With DevOps, you can stay ahead of the curve, adapt to market changes like a chameleon, and drive efficiency and agility like a boss.

So, what are you waiting for? Level up your DevOps game and watch your software development process soar!

Agile is the real deal in tech these days, and Buffalo isn't slacking! Companies here are all about those Agile methodologies to stay ahead of the game.

It's all about being flexible, collaborating like crazy, and delivering kickass software that users actually want.

The big shots like M&T Bank, Ingram Micro, and Moog Inc.

have already jumped on the Agile train, using frameworks like Scrum and Kanban to bring their teams together and keep things moving. It's a whole new way of working, with daily stand-ups, constant feedback loops, and a focus on getting things done in small, manageable chunks.

If you want to make it in Buffalo's tech scene, you gotta level up your Agile game:

1. Familiarize yourself with the basics of Agile and how Scrum and Kanban work.
2. Embrace the iterative approach – build small, test often, and keep improving.
3. Collaboration is key – daily stand-ups and retrospectives are your new besties.
4. Keep the customer happy – their feedback is gold.
5. Stay flexible and adapt – requirements change, and you gotta roll with the punches.

Buffalo's tech scene is only going to get bigger, and companies are going to be looking for folks who live and breathe Agile.

Master these practices, and you'll be a hot commodity, delivering software that users love and companies can't get enough of.

The mobile app game is only getting hotter as we roll into 2024! According to these stats, we're looking at a mind-blowing 935 billion dollars in mobile app revenue by the end of the year.

That's some serious cash flow! But to get a piece of that pie, you gotta have the right skills on lock.

First up, you need to be a coding wizard in languages like Java, Kotlin, Swift, and Objective-C.

These bad boys are the building blocks for creating slick apps on Android and iOS platforms. But coding alone won't cut it – you also gotta master UI/UX design to make sure your apps look fresh and are easy to navigate.

And don't sleep on cross-platform development frameworks like React Native and Flutter. These tools let you create apps that run seamlessly across multiple devices, saving you time and effort.

If you're serious about leveling up your mobile app dev skills, here are some dope resources to check out:

• Udacity's Nanodegree programs will have you coding like a pro in no time.
• Coursera has a ton of courses and specializations, perfect for boosting your Android or iOS app dev game.
• Get hands-on practice with Codecademy's interactive learning platform.

The mobile app market is only going to keep exploding, so getting these essential skills under your belt now will set you up for success in Buffalo's booming tech scene.

Don't sleep on this opportunity – the future is mobile!

You already know AI and machine learning are going to be huge game-changers in 2024, but did you realize how much they'll impact Buffalo? Companies here are getting in on the action early.

UB is supporting startups leveraging AI for real-world solutions, from homeland security to brain surgery.

Established players like M&T Bank and Rich Products are using AI/ML to optimize operations and elevate customer experiences. Even local AI companies like Motive and Strayos are making waves in fintech, transportation, and mining.

The opportunities are endless if you skill up in AI/ML. Luckily, there are beginner-friendly resources to get you started, like Coursera's AI for Everyone, Google's Machine Learning Crash Course, and Harvard's CS50 AI Track.

With the right training, you'll be ready to ride the AI wave and unlock high-paying gigs in Buffalo's booming tech scene.

In this digital age, understanding User Experience (UX) design is crucial if you want to succeed.

Buffalo businesses are fully aware of how important it is to provide a smooth and user-friendly experience for their customers. A recent survey revealed that a whopping 72% of local tech companies plan on hiring UX designers in 2024, so this skill is in high demand.

Major players like M&T Bank, Moog Inc., Rich Products Corporation, and Calspan Corporation are actively seeking UX talent.

They get that exceptional user experiences lead to happy customers, brand loyalty, and ultimately, more success. A well-designed user interface can make or break how enjoyable it is to use a website or app.

If you're just starting out and want to break into UX design, you'll need to learn the basics like design principles, user research methods, and prototyping tools.

Online courses, bootcamps, or degree programs can give you the knowledge and practical skills you need. Some popular options recommended by experts include Coursera's "UX Design Specialization" by the University of Michigan, Udemy's "Become a UX Designer from Scratch" course, and Codecademy's "Learn User Experience Design" course.

But book learning isn't everything.

Gaining hands-on experience through internships, personal projects, or contributing to open-source initiatives can really make your UX portfolio stand out.

"A strong portfolio that shows your design thinking process and problem-solving abilities is often the key to landing your first UX role," says Daniel Hernandez, a seasoned UX designer at Moog Inc.

If you're dedicated and passionate about creating intuitive digital experiences, a rewarding and in-demand UX career in Buffalo could be waiting for you.

We're dishing out the 411 on how we nailed down the top 10 essential tech skills that Buffalo bosses will be hunting for in 2024. We locked in the official stats from the big dogs at the U.S. Bureau of Labor, which showed a sick 10.5% rise in tech job openings in the Buffalo area over the next decade.

But that's just the start.

We dived deep into reports from the tech gurus at Gartner and Forrester, scoping out the major tech waves set to shake things up in 2024, like AI and machine learning ruling the game, cyber threats being a real buzzkill, and everybody migrating to cloud platforms.

We cross-checked that intel with the word on the street from actual Buffalo tech pros and hiring bosses, who dropped gems like adaptability being just as clutch as tech know-how.

And to seal the deal, we analyzed job postings from major Buffalo players across finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and more, using some slick keyword tools to sniff out the tech skills in highest demand.

By combining all these angles - national projections, industry trends, local wisdom, and real job needs - we locked down a bulletproof understanding of the essential 2024 tech skills that'll have you landing that primo gig in the 716.