According to a new survey by TechNet, the so-called "app economy" has helped create hundreds of thousands of jobs for those with an online computers and IT degree and applications software experience.
The report found that the demand for applications for mobile phones, online social media and computer tablets has opened up 466,000 new positions over the past four years.
Michael Mandel, the economist hired by TechNet to put together the report, told The Associated Press that the numbers suggest there will be even more job growth as the economy continues to rebound.
"This is a telescope into what the future looks like," Mandel told the news source. "This is one part of the economy that is actually expanding and hiring. Once you point people in that direction, they can realign their compass pretty quickly."
Tech Net estimates that approximately 3.5 million people are now working in technology-related jobs, including sales, marketing, human resources and other administrative positions.
Metropolitan areas that are seeing the largest demand for tech jobs include New York City, San Francisco and Seattle.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment opportunities for computer software and applications engineers are expected to increase by 34 percent through 2018.
