Technology hiring continues strong going into the New Year, according to Human Resources managers and recruiting firms, although the number of those anticipating hiring is lower than last year.

Out of more than 1,000 respondents in a recent survey, 64% plan on adding technology workers in the first half of 2013. This compares with a result of only 47% in a parallel study of those who staff all types of workers.

The Dice Report survey, completed by Dice Holdings, Inc., a leading career site for technology and engineering professionals, was prepared in mid-November 2012, just after the election. Survey respondents included Human Resources managers and recruiters, consultants and staffing firms who primarily hire technology professionals.

Surprisingly, the 64% answering that they plan to hire tech workers is significantly lower than that reported in the prior survey for the last six months of 2012, at which time 73% expected to add technology professionals. Growing concern about the uncertainty of resolving the “fiscal cliff” tax and spending issues at the time of the survey could have tempered the results, as firms held off on tech projects.

The most recent hiring survey highlights various aspects of tech hiring, including:

Regional outlook : the South and East experienced modest reductions compared to the last six months of 2012, but both the West and Midwest reduced their expectations by 20%.

: the South and East experienced modest reductions compared to the last six months of 2012, but both the West and Midwest reduced their expectations by 20%. Time to fill open positions : 55% of respondents reported more time required to fill technology positions; the most commonly cited reason (47%) was the inability to find qualified professionals, followed by hiring managers waiting for the perfect candidate match (33%).

: 55% of respondents reported more time required to fill technology positions; the most commonly cited reason (47%) was the inability to find qualified professionals, followed by hiring managers waiting for the perfect candidate match (33%). Voluntary departures : Tech professionals seem content to stay where they are, as 70% of respondents reported no increase in voluntary separations during 2012.

: Tech professionals seem content to stay where they are, as 70% of respondents reported no increase in voluntary separations during 2012. Candidate starting salaries : not surprisingly, the majority of respondents (53%) reported candidates asking for more money.

: not surprisingly, the majority of respondents (53%) reported candidates asking for more money. Offer acceptances: 28% of the respondents reported that more candidates are rejecting offers compared to the last survey, with only 18% stating that more candidates are accepting them.

Alice Hill, Managing Director of Dice.com, summarizes the state of technology recruiting at the start of 2013 as “tempered optimism.” She feels the survey results point to steady growth in hiring, rather than an avalanche.

Overall, the survey results indicate modest but continuing improvement in technology hiring, along with stability of existing staffs from both employer and worker perspectives.