Employment in the U.S. information technology sector ended 2016 on a positive note, adding 5,100 new positions, according to the CompTIA IT Employment Tracker released by CompTIA, the world's leading technology association.

Software and technology services led December job growth among technology categories, adding 4,100 new positions.

"During 2016, IT services added an estimated 79,300 jobs, making it the primary driver of job growth in the sector," noted Tim Herbert, senior vice president for research and market intelligence at CompTIA.

Employment in other information services, including search portals, expanded by 2,400 positions in December, according to CompTIA's analysis of the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Employment Situation report (#jobsreport) released this morning. Data processing, hosting and related services added 1,600 jobs.

Telecommunications shed 2,100 jobs last month. For the year, telecom employment fell by 24,100 positions.

Computer and electronics products manufacturing employment also declined in December, down 900 jobs from the previous month.

The second component of the nation's IT workforce – IT occupations across all other industries – had another strong showing in December, with an estimated net gain of 154,000 jobs.

"During the fourth quarter of 2016 a net 337,000 IT jobs were added to the economy, a strong finish to the year," Herbert reported.