The skill proficiency data is based on self-assessments by New York State IT employees. They reported their personal level of proficiency on 126 skills associated with IT work in state government.

Higher overall proficiency ratings are concentrated in management, system design and development, technical support, and legacy technologies. Among the top 25 skills, ten are general management skills such as written and oral communication and supervisory skills.

Lower overall proficiency ratings are associated with networking, web-based services, security, and information analysis and use. No skills in these areas appeared in the top 25.

As a broad pattern, younger employees have somewhat higher proficiency ratings in newer technical skills, while older workers have higher proficiency ratings in management and legacy technologies.

The most striking differences in proficiency rating patterns are associated with job specialties. Within each specialty area, (such as programming, data administration, or IT management) high proficiency ratings exist in a number of skills appropriate to the specialty.