The skills tech industry leaders say are in highest demand

Skilled tech workers are in high demand, even as the industry undergoes major shifts.

Software development, data analytics, and engineering are among the most valued skills in the eyes of tech leaders.

Automation is expected to reshape the field in the coming years, but most industry leaders do not believe this will result in displacing workers.

Tech companies will need to withstand looming industry-wide changes in the coming years — and tech leaders believe aggressively hiring more employees with technical skills is the key to adapting.

Over 250 tech industry leaders weighed in on the evolving tech workforce for the Consumer Technology Association's Future of Work Study published earlier this week.

The leaders expect that emerging forces — like automation — will reshape the tech industry in years to come. But this doesn't mean the demand for new hires will decrease: survey respondents overwhelmingly said they want to recruit and hire more skilled workers, and outlined the tech skills that are in highest demand at their companies.

Here's what they said about the future of tech.