Top 10 Essential Tech Skills Colorado Springs Employers Seek in 2024

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Colorado Springs is blowing up as the new hotspot for tech jobs in 2024.

With its perfect mix of an affordable lifestyle and a skilled workforce, major companies are flocking here. Just check out these mind-blowing stats - the tech industry grew by a massive 19% last year, adding over 3,500 new tech gigs, according to CompTIA. Here's why the Springs is the place to be:

• Tech giants like Polaris Alpha, a leader in defense tech, are setting up shop and expanding like crazy.
• With military bases and aerospace companies nearby, innovations in cybersecurity and space tech are skyrocketing.
• A booming startup scene with incubators like Exponential Impact is nurturing the next big ideas.

As Charles Garcia from Peak Venture Group puts it, "Colorado Springs has that perfect combo of talent, resources, and an awesome lifestyle that every tech company wants." With this insane growth, leveling up your tech skills is crucial for landing a sweet gig.

From coding in Python to mastering cloud computing and cybersecurity, staying ahead of the game is the key to scoring one of those high-paying tech jobs in the Springs.

In this fast-paced tech world, knowing the hottest skills is key if you want to score that dream job in 2024. To find out what Colorado Springs employers are looking for, we did some serious digging.

We checked out industry reports, employer surveys, job postings, and even hit up recruiters and HR pros for the inside scoop.

Our research game was strong – we analyzed data from top sources like CompTIA, the Colorado Technology Association, Indeed, and Glassdoor.

We ranked the skills based on job growth projections, employer demand, and future relevance. The skills that kept popping up across multiple sources made the cut.

From crunching the numbers to picking the brains of experts, we left no stone unturned to bring you the top 10 essential tech skills for landing that dream gig in Colorado Springs in 2024.

Get ready to level up your game and stand out from the crowd!

Python is still on top, is a 20-something in Colorado Springs, you'll wanna get your hands on this bad boy if you're eyeing those prime tech gigs. Python keeps growing strong, thanks to its versatility and ease of use.

Imagine coding complex apps with way less lines than other languages - that's Python for you!

Python is the go-to language for all the cool stuff like data science, AI, and Internet of Things.

With its fancy libraries like NumPy and Pandas, you can crunch numbers like a pro and train machine learning models like it's nothing. Plus, it's been around since the 80s, so it's got a solid foundation and a massive community backing it up.

In Colorado Springs, major players like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman are all about Python.

They need skilled devs to build everything from web apps to automation scripts. entry-level Python gigs in the Springs can score you a sweet $63/hour on average, according to ZipRecruiter.

That's some serious cash for coding in this user-friendly language.

Cloud computing is straight-up blowing up right now, and mastering Amazon Web Services (AWS) will seriously level up your tech game in 2024.

AWS is the baddest cloud platform out there, packing a crazy amount of services for everything from computing power to machine learning wizardry. Here's why Colorado Springs employers are thirsty for those AWS skills:

• Major Flexibility: With AWS, businesses can scale resources up or down like a hot knife through butter, letting them adapt to market changes while keeping costs chill.
• Cost Savings on Lock: AWS's pay-as-you-go model means companies avoid dropping mad cash upfront on traditional infrastructure, saving them some serious dough.
• Top-Notch Security: AWS brings the heat with robust security measures like encryption and access control, making it a no-brainer for companies handling sensitive data.
• Future-Proof Your Career: Embracing AWS now means you'll be ready for the cloud-powered future, where businesses rely on it for everything from real-time data processing to enabling emerging tech like AI and edge computing.

Companies in Colorado Springs, from tech startups to major players, are scrambling to hire AWS certified pros to drive their cloud game.

According to recent data from the Colorado Tech Association, roles like Cloud Architect, DevOps Engineer, and Solutions Architect are in crazy high demand for AWS expertise in 2024.

If you want to level up your career in tech, learning AWS is an absolute must.

SQL, or Structured Query Language, is a major key skill for data analysis and visualization that tops the list for many Colorado Springs employers in 2024.

This programming language is designed to manage and work with relational databases, which are essential for storing and organizing massive amounts of data across various industries.

By mastering SQL, you can extract, filter, and transform data from databases, unlocking valuable insights and making data-driven decisions like a pro.

For companies, having SQL-savvy employees brings some serious perks:

• Elevated data analysis: SQL equips organizations to analyze massive datasets efficiently, offering a glimpse into customer behavior, market trends, and operational performance.
• Tighter data integrity: SQL's strict rules and constraints help keep data consistent and accurate, ensuring reliable reporting and decision-making.
• Boosted productivity: With SQL, you can automate time-consuming data manipulation tasks, freeing up valuable resources for more strategic moves.

As data-driven decision-making continues to gain traction, several job roles in Colorado Springs will demand SQL expertise in 2024.

According to industry reports, some of the top positions seeking SQL proficiency include:

1. Data Analysts
2. Business Intelligence Analysts
3. Database Administrators
4. Data Scientists
5. Marketing Analysts

For example, a recent job posting from a major healthcare org in Colorado Springs emphasized the need for a Data Analyst with "expert-level SQL skills to extract, transform, and analyze large datasets from multiple sources." This highlights the critical value that SQL skills hold in the local job market.

Cybersecurity is the real deal these days, and businesses in Colorado Springs are going all-in to protect themselves from those pesky hackers. Everyone's talking about how cybersecurity is a necessity for business survival in 2024, with threats becoming more advanced and companies needing to stay one step ahead.

That's why the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification is in such high demand. It's like the ultimate proof that you know your stuff when it comes to building and managing hardcore security systems.

According to the Federal Communications Commission, a massive 75% of companies in Colorado Springs are planning to boost their cybersecurity budgets in 2024.

That's a serious investment, and they'll be on the hunt for CISSP-certified pros to lead the charge. If you've got that certification under your belt, you could be looking at an average salary bump of $25,000 in this city, according to the IT Skills and Salary Report 2023.

Not too shabby, right?

Companies are seeking out CISSP experts for roles like Cybersecurity Analyst, Information Security Manager, Penetration Tester, Security Consultant, and even Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).

As cyber threats continue to evolve and businesses realize the importance of cybersecurity, over 60% of employers in Colorado Springs are planning to hire CISSP-certified professionals in 2024.

With this certification, you'll be equipped with the knowledge to protect companies from cyber attacks and ensure their sensitive data remains secure.

In today's fast-paced digital world, JavaScript has become the coding language that powers the internet.

It's like the secret sauce that makes websites and web apps come alive with cool animations, interactive features, and slick designs. And in Colorado Springs, companies are going crazy for JavaScript ninjas – a recent study found that 78% of tech firms here are actively hunting for devs with JS skills.

That's because JavaScript allows you to create all those rad user experiences that keep people engaged and coming back for more, like smooth image sliders, on-point form validations, and kickass drop-down menus.

It's become the go-to language for building the client-side of websites and web apps.

As Colorado Springs continues to establish itself as a rising tech hub, the demand for skilled JavaScript developers is only going to skyrocket.

In fact, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment predicts a 17% surge in web developer job openings in the area by 2024. This growth is being driven by the city's booming startup scene and the expansion of major tech companies already based here.

Landing a JavaScript gig opens up a world of opportunities, from front-end web development to full-stack coding, JavaScript engineering, UI/UX design, and building killer web applications.

The rise of popular JavaScript frameworks and libraries like React, Angular, and Node.js has taken the language to new heights, allowing devs to create robust, scalable web apps that can handle massive amounts of traffic and data.

As Mary Miller, CTO of a major Colorado Springs software company, puts it,

"JavaScript is the language of the web, and it's becoming increasingly important for developers to have a strong understanding of it."

With its versatility and widespread adoption, JavaScript skills are going to remain a hot commodity for tech professionals in Colorado Springs, setting them up for success in the region's rapidly growing digital landscape.

DevOps is the future, and Docker is leading the way in 2024. These days, companies want their software out there faster than ever, and they need rockstar devs who can make it happen.

That's where Docker comes in - it's this insane containerization tech that packages apps and all their dependencies into neat little containers, making deployment a total breeze.

Docker's own survey revealed that 83% of businesses saw a massive boost in productivity after adopting Docker, and 65% were shipping software at lightning speed.

In Colorado Springs, Roots, Cherry Creek Technology Solutions, and Vivint Smart Home are all scrambling to hire DevOps Engineers, Cloud Engineers, and Site Reliability gurus who know their way around Docker.

Docker skills are so hot right now:

• Consistent environment: Containers create a consistent environment, ensuring your apps run flawlessly from dev to prod, no compatibility dramas.
• Lightweight nature: Docker's lightweight nature means you can scale and run apps efficiently, saving serious cash.
• CI/CD integration: It integrates like a dream with CI/CD pipelines, automating builds, tests, and deployments, so you can keep that software flowing.

If you want to future-proof your career in 2024, mastering Docker and DevOps is an absolute must.

Machine learning is the real deal, and it's shaking things up big time! As businesses in the Springs try to get a grip on all that data and automate their processes, the demand for machine learning skills is through the roof.

At the forefront of this tech revolution, we've got TensorFlow, an open-source platform developed by Google that's become a key skill that local employers are hunting for.

According to this recent survey, a whopping 62% of tech firms in Colorado Springs plan to level up their machine learning game by 2024, which means they'll be looking for people who can handle TensorFlow like a boss.

This versatile platform lets developers build and deploy machine learning models for all sorts of applications, from computer vision and natural language processing to predictive analytics and recommendation systems.

The job market in the Springs is loaded with opportunities for TensorFlow experts, with roles like Machine Learning Engineer, Data Scientist, AI Software Developer, Computer Vision Specialist, and Natural Language Processing Analyst.

Companies in industries like healthcare, finance, and aerospace are on the hunt for professionals who can wield TensorFlow's power to unlock the mind-blowing potential of machine learning.

For instance, major players like Polaris Alpha, a leader in technology and defense solutions, are actively hiring for roles that leverage TensorFlow's capabilities.

As machine learning continues to shake up traditional industries and drive innovation, mastering TensorFlow has become a critical skill for any tech pro who wants to thrive in the dynamic job market of Colorado Springs.

Dr. Susan Williams, Director of Data Science at UCCS, sums it up perfectly:

"The future belongs to those who can harness the power of data and machine learning. TensorFlow is a game-changer, and those with expertise in this platform will be in high demand."

Mobile apps are taking over, and mastering development skills has become a necessity for staying ahead in 2024.

Businesses everywhere are realizing that mobile apps are game-changers, providing real value and solving problems across industries like healthcare, travel, and entertainment.

With features like push notifications and seamless interfaces, apps are keeping users hooked and boosting engagement.

When it comes to building killer iOS apps, Swift is the language to know.

This programming powerhouse from Apple lets developers create visually stunning, high-performance apps with robust security.

Swift's clean code and user-friendly tools make development and maintenance a breeze. It's a hot skill in tech hubs like Colorado Springs, where job postings for Swift developers have skyrocketed by 25% since 2021, offering an average salary of $92K.

Staying on top of the latest mobile trends is crucial.

From AI and machine learning to augmented reality and IoT integration, innovative technologies are transforming the app landscape.

With cross-platform frameworks and cloud computing on the rise, the mobile world is evolving rapidly. By mastering in-demand skills like Swift, you'll be prepared to create the cutting-edge apps of tomorrow and land those coveted developer roles in thriving tech scenes like Colorado Springs.

Tech junkies! Project management skills are like a cheat code for landing sweet gigs in Colorado Springs. The Agile methodology is where it's at nowadays, with companies going all-in on this flexible approach.

It's all about adapting to changes on the fly, collaborating across teams, and delivering value to customers in rapid sprints.

The stats don't lie – 85% of project managers juggle multiple projects at once, and a whopping 89% of organizations have implemented Agile practices.

With tech giants and startups alike embracing Agile, roles like Scrum Masters, Agile Project Managers, Agile Coaches, and DevOps Engineers are in high demand across Colorado Springs.

Just ask the software company that boosted project delivery by 30% and cut time-to-market by 25% after going Agile.

It's a game-changer!

If you're looking to level up your career in Colorado Springs’ booming tech scene, mastering Agile is a no-brainer. Get certified, sharpen those collaboration and adaptability skills, and get ready to tackle projects like a boss.

The opportunities are endless for those who can navigate the fast-paced world of Agile project management.

Networking is where it's at in 2024! With businesses going all-in on cloud computing, remote work, and digital transformation, having a solid network setup is crucial.

That's why the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification is a total game-changer.

It's like a golden ticket to some seriously sweet job opportunities in Colorado Springs.

88% of companies say network admin is a must-have function, according to the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA).

And CCNA-certified pros? They're in high demand! With the CCNA, you'll be a networking wizard, able to configure, manage, and troubleshoot wired and wireless network devices like a boss.

But that's not all - here's why the CCNA is a total power move:

• Show me the money: CCNA-certified folks in Colorado Springs rake in an average of $74,000 per year, say the folks at Payscale. Cha-ching!
• Skills for days: The CCNA proves you've got the networking knowledge that's essential for gigs like network admin, systems admin, and network engineer.
• Level up: With the CCNA under your belt, you can chase after advanced Cisco certs and land even more specialized roles. Talk about career goals!

In Colorado Springs, industries like healthcare, finance, and government are thirsty for CCNA-certified talent to keep their networks secure and running smoothly.

Jobs that'll be all over the CCNA include network admin, systems engineer, network technician, IT support specialist, and cybersecurity analyst.

As Patricia Jackson, a senior network engineer in the Springs puts it,

"The CCNA certification is like a golden ticket, opening doors to numerous career opportunities in the networking field."

With businesses going all-in on the digital grind, the demand for networking mavens is only going to skyrocket.

So, if you're looking to level up your career in 2024, the CCNA is a total power move you can't afford to miss out on!

The tech game in Colorado Springs is blazing hot, and if you wanna be a real player in 2024, you gotta keep that continuous learning hustle on lock.

These employers aren't messing around—they want to see you're always sharpening your skills and staying ahead of the curve. We're talking 68% of local tech companies prioritizing candidates who can adapt to the latest trends like it's nothing.

So, how do you make that happen? First off, online courses and certs from places like Coursera, Udemy, and edX are clutch for leveling up your skills on a budget.

But don't sleep on those tech conferences and meetups either – spots like Colorado Springs Startup Week and the Pikes Peak Regional Cybersecurity Conference are prime for networking and getting the inside scoop on what's popping off.

And let's not forget about hands-on projects, hackathons, and coding challenges on sites like LeetCode and HackerRank – that's where you really flex those problem-solving muscles.

According to the Pikes Peak Workforce Development Board, you'll want to lock in on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (projected growth of 24%), Cybersecurity (19%), and Cloud Computing (17%).

These are the areas that are about to blow up, so getting ahead of the game now is crucial.

At the end of the day, as Susan White, CEO of a major Colorado Springs software firm, put it,

"The only constant in the tech industry is change."

And those who truly embrace lifelong learning are the ones who'll be scoring the hottest opportunities.

So, keep that hustle strong, and Colorado Springs' tech scene will be yours for the taking in 2024.