News Summary
Orange County’s software sector has seen a 4.3% decline in employment, dropping to 7,251 employees. While some companies like IBM maintain stability, others such as Blizzard Entertainment have reduced their workforce. The competitive job market and demographic shifts are influencing these trends, posing challenges in attracting and retaining talent.
Orange County has experienced a decline in employment within its largest software companies, with a reported drop of 4.3% as of July. This decline reflects the latest rankings provided by local business analysts and industry experts.
According to the latest data, employment in the software sector has fallen to 7,251 employees, based on estimates from 28 companies. The previous year, another noticeable reduction of 6.4% was recorded among 27 companies in the area. The trend highlights ongoing challenges as businesses navigate a competitive market.
While some companies faced layoffs, others managed to maintain or expand their workforce. IBM Corp., which holds the No. 2 position in employee count, has kept its headcount stable at approximately 1,188 employees. Despite a 2.5% decrease in its overall companywide workforce, which now stands at 273,100 employees, IBM remains positive about growth opportunities in California, particularly focusing on advancements in the artificial intelligence sector.
Blizzard Entertainment continues to lead as the largest employer in Orange County with an estimated workforce of 1,300, although they have seen a decline from 1,400 employees reported last year. Rounding out the top five software companies in the region by employee count are:
- 1. Blizzard Entertainment – 1,300 employees
- 2. IBM Corp. – 1,188 employees
- 3. Oracle Corp. – 425 employees (unchanged)
- 4. UKG Inc. – 396 employees
- 5. CrowdStrike – 394 employees
Not all companies within the industry faced downturns. Lake Forest’s iBase-t experienced a significant increase, growing its local employee count by 27% to 65 employees, securing the No. 25 ranking on the list. Similarly, Tebra Technologies Inc., known as the Shopify of the healthcare industry, recorded the largest growth with a 40% boost to 350 employees.
MeridianLink holds the No. 7 position with an estimated 270 OC employees, while Alteryx, based in Irvine, saw a decrease in headcount from 209 to 188 employees, which resulted in it ranking No. 11. Other companies have also experienced modest changes; Viant Technology’s employee count has notably dipped from 149 to 146 employees, underscoring the ongoing pressures in the market.
The report highlights increasing challenges companies face in both attracting and retaining top talent as the software industry becomes increasingly competitive. Specifically, experts suggest that the overall decline in enrollment within the software sector can be attributed to shifting demographics and the rise of competitive job training and educational initiatives.
As the technology landscape continues to evolve, these trends will likely remain a focus for both businesses and job seekers within Orange County’s software industry.
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Additional Resources
- Orange County Business Journal: OC Headcount at Software Companies Falls 4.3%
- Orange County Business Journal: Veritone & WM Technology
- Los Angeles Times: Public Pensions and Gentrification
- CA Labor Law: Invasion of Privacy Lawsuits
- New York Times: Disney World Workers’ Union
- Wikipedia: Software Industry
- Google Search: Employment Trends in Software Industry
- Google Scholar: Software Employment California
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Software Industries
- Google News: Orange County Software Industry
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
