The first quarter of 2015 offered up some good news for tech pros, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) announcing that the unemployment rate for the tech industry had hit 2.3 percent—the lowest rate recorded in almost seven years. The good news kept coming in April, when the BLS announced that the unemployment rate had dropped even further, to 1.9 percent. For those keeping score at home, that’s the lowest unemployment rate since June 2008, before the Great Recession hit. But the rising tide didn’t float all boats: Computer and electronic-product manufacturing lost 1,000 jobs in April. Those losses were more than offset by the 9,100 positions added to technology consulting; data processing, hosting, and related services also gained 100 jobs during the month. The unemployment rate for tech pros has steadily declined over the past year, hinting at increased hiring momentum among companies for the best talent. That’s translated into higher salaries and more benefits for those candidates with the right combination of skills and experience; according to Dice’s most recent annual salary survey, tech pros earned an average of $89,450 in 2014, up 2 percent from 2013. For specific segments such as IT security, salaries can be even higher. Even with falling unemployment and record-setting profits, however, not all individuals are enjoying the benefits of a muscular tech sector: Unlucky startups have imploded, and some tech giants have instituted layoffs. But for many, it’s a good time to be in the industry.