The U.S. information technology sector added an estimated 9,600 new jobs in June, extending its current streak of employment gains to five consecutive months, CompTIA, the leading technology industry association, reported today.

For the year, IT sector employment has increased by an estimated 48,900, according to CompTIA's analysis of the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics "Employment Situation" report.

Today's report includes some contradictory signals in IT employment. While the IT sector added jobs, IT employment across all sectors of the economy was down 90,000 jobs.

"Despite the mixed bag of results in the tech labor market over the past several months, demand for tech talent remains strong," said Tim Herbert, senior vice president for research and market intelligence at CompTIA. "There will always be a degree of volatility in BLS data from month-to-month. Over the long-term, we expect the growth trajectory to continue."

CompTIA's analysis finds that June job growth occurred in four categories:

• IT services, custom software development and computer system design added 6,000 positions. This category has grown by some 41,000 jobs through the first half of 2018.

• Computer, electronics and semiconductor manufacturing increased by 5,100 jobs, including gains in the sub-categories of electronic instruments (+ 3,100) and semiconductors and electronic components (+ 1,700). So far this year tech manufacturing employment has expanded by 14,100 jobs.

• Data processing, hosting and related services added 1,100 jobs, reversing May's slight step back in employment. For the year, this category has grown by some 10,000 positions.

• Other information services, including search portals grew by a modest 600 jobs.

Telecommunications employment decline by 3,200 positions in June. This category has shrunk by some 18,200 jobs so far this year; and has shed an estimated 30,700 jobs over the past 12 months.

"This reflects the ongoing dynamic of telecom companies pursuing growth in new areas such as the Internet of Things, 5G and IT services, while contending with the maturing technologies and business models of the past," Herbert said.

Across the entire economy, total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 213,000 in June, and has grown by 2.4 million over the last 12 months. The national unemployment rate inched up slightly to 4 percent. The unemployment rate for IT occupations followed suit, increasing to 1.9 percent, which remains one of the lowest rates across all occupation categories.