Tech Workforce

Building an inclusive tech talent ecosystem across New York City—ensuring all New Yorkers are equipped with the tech skills employers demand in a rapidly evolving economy.

As the world’s second-largest tech and startup ecosystem, New York City has tech jobs that span its diverse economy, from finance and media to healthcare, real estate, and more. However, not all New Yorkers have benefited equally from the growing tech presence in New York City; Black and Latinx workers, combined, account for approximately 43 percent of the city’s overall workforce, but only about 21 percent of tech talent.

NYCEDC is committed to ensuring all New Yorkers can access opportunities in tech. We support a variety of workforce development and training programs to align diverse New Yorkers with the evolving needs of employers and the local business ecosystem. And as emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence continue to redefine industries, we help New Yorkers re-skill and adapt to the jobs of tomorrow.

NYC’s academic strength is also central to the city’s tech talent flywheel. With 100+ higher education institutions; over 500,000 students; 21 accredited engineering schools across NYU, Columbia, CUNY, Cornell Tech, and more; and almost 500,000 graduates arriving to the city between 2021 and 2024, New York City attracts and cultivates tech talent at scale.

NYCEDC’s investments extend across the talent pipeline, from higher education to hands-on training programs.

NYC’s Tech Workforce

By The Numbers

~467K

New Yorkers ages 25+ with a bachelor’s degree or higher in a STEM field

By The Numbers

360K+

New Yorkers employed in tech ecosystem jobs

By The Numbers

87K+

NYC metro area graduates from 2018-2023 with AI-ready degrees (#1 in U.S.)

By The Numbers

~467K

New Yorkers ages 25+ with a bachelor’s degree or higher in a STEM field

By The Numbers

360K+

New Yorkers employed in tech ecosystem jobs

By The Numbers

87K+

NYC metro area graduates from 2018-2023 with AI-ready degrees (#1 in U.S.)

NYCEDC’s Tech Workforce Initiatives

Three young adults work together at a computer. One person types while the others watch and smile, appearing engaged and collaborative in a bright, modern setting.

AI Literacy Pilot with NYC’s Public Libraries: A program to develop resources and upskill public library staff and patrons on how to safely and responsibly use, understand, evaluate, and communicate about AI.

Street view photo of Civic Hall at Union Square. A glass office building with reflections of another tall building on its facade, with traffic lights and crosswalks visible.

Civic Hall - The Bernard Goldstein Center: An 85K-SF tech training and events center focused on skill-building for New Yorkers underrepresented in tech, with 93K visitors, 4.5K students, and 86% completion rate since opening in 2023.

Cornell Tech Campus. Photo by Iwan Baan.

Cornell Tech: A groundbreaking campus for technology research and education on Roosevelt Island, with ~2,300 total graduates and 1,000+ alumni working in NYC.

A large, diverse group of people poses together and smiles for a group photo in a brightly lit, modern indoor space with patterned flooring and plants in the background.

NYC Startup and VC Internship Programs: Workforce programs providing NYC students, with a focus on CUNY students, with paid work opportunities across the city’s startup and VC ecosystems, as well as with mentorship and professional development.

Additionally, NYCEDC has funded the creation of Columbia University’s Data Science Institute, New York University’s Center for Urban Science + Progress, CUNY City College’s Cybersecurity Master's Degree, and Fullstack Academy’s Cybersecurity Bootcamp.