US employers plan to boost hiring in 2026, tech and health roles lead demand
Around two thirds of US employers intend to raise permanent hiring in the second half of 2026, according to a recent survey by staffing firm Robert Half. The figure of 66% marks an increase from 60% in the first half of the year and from 57% a year earlier, signalling a shift away from the pandemic-era hiring slump.
Employers say they can no longer afford to delay recruitment. Michelle Reisdorf, district director at Robert Half, told EuroHerald that waiting to hire "isn't really an option" because business priorities demand immediate action. She added, "They are not hiring just to add headcount, but they are willing to invest in talent for roles that directly support those goals."
Technology positions top the list, with 78% of firms indicating a need for such workers. Healthcare follows at 75%, finance and accounting at 74%, marketing and creative at 65% and legal at 58%. Human resources (56%) and administration or customer support (52%) also remain in demand despite some automation gains.
When asked about the most difficult skills to source, employers highlighted industry-specific knowledge (47%), software proficiency (42%) and leadership ability (40%). To bridge these gaps, 56% of companies plan to add contract talent, hoping to secure specialised expertise quickly.
The hiring outlook contrasts with a bleak picture for many job seekers. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported that the perceived chance of finding a new job fell to 43.1% in December 2025, the lowest level since the survey began in 2013. The decline is most pronounced among workers earning under six figures, those without a college degree and baby boomers over 60.
Unemployment durations also vary by age group. A Wall Street Journal analysis showed that Gen Z and millennial job seekers aged 25-34 were unemployed for an average of 19 weeks, while Gen X and baby boomers aged 55-64 faced an average of 26 weeks without work. Among older workers who experienced layoffs, 24% were still jobless and 11% had to accept lower pay when they finally found employment.
With firms eager to fill critical roles, the next months are likely to see a surge in both permanent and contract hiring, especially in technology, healthcare and finance. Companies will continue to grapple with skill shortages, prompting greater reliance on specialised contractors and upskilling programmes. Meanwhile, workers will need to navigate a competitive market where confidence remains low, making career guidance and training increasingly important.
Overall, the hiring rebound reflects a cautious optimism among US businesses, but the underlying talent gap and worker uncertainty suggest that the recovery will be uneven across sectors and demographic groups.