Employment and Hiring Trends in 2026: Demand for Skilled Talent

Job seekers: Explore opportunities and grow your career.

The way work gets done is changing, and so are the skills essential to achieving business success. Companies are launching projects, adopting AI and adjusting to shifting demands. Every objective, including growth and modernization, depends on skilled professionals who can deliver results.

The challenge? A dynamic job market and evolving business needs require leaders to rethink how they attract, develop and retain top talent. Technical expertise matters, but so do the people and soft skills that hold teams together. AI is influencing operations in both predictable and unexpected ways.

With the right guidance, companies can move forward and make confident decisions—today and in the future. The Demand for Skilled Talent report provides just that.

Hiring managers: Get customized insights and workforce strategies from a Robert Half talent solutions professional.

How Robert Half can help

Robert Half’s research and data on hiring, employment and job market trends can aid companies in finding and retaining skilled talent. Use the links below to explore the full report. We also offer guidance and talent solutions in 7 professional fields.

Hiring plans and challenges in 2026

Discover what’s driving hiring across the U.S., including business priorities and employment trends. Find out what’s happening 

Trends by profession

Learn about the hiring trends that matter most in 7 professional fields—and how staffing plans might be affected. Select your professional field

Succession and pipeline planning

Business disruption often begins with leadership gaps. Plan ahead with data-backed insights. Start strategizing

Want to know more about the hiring market?

Get a clear view of the job market with the latest employment data from Robert Half and other industry reports. Track hiring trends and the most in-demand roles—so you can make informed decisions and stay ahead.

Get the latest info

Trends and data by professional field

Finance and accounting

Technology

Marketing and creative

Legal

Administrative and customer support

Non-clinical healthcare

Human resources

Understand the data. Remove the guesswork. Hire with confidence.

A report walk-through delivers deeper insights

You’ll learn what the data means for your team, local trends shaping hiring and strategies to strengthen your workforce. Schedule a walk-through

Build your team

We connect you with skilled professionals who are ready to step in and support your business from day one. Hire talent

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Frequently asked questions

Hiring is expected to remain active, but finding skilled talent will continue to be challenging. Many employers are working with staffing and recruiting firms to hire more efficiently and access critical skills.

Will hiring get easier in 2026?

Roles tied to growth, productivity and AI adoption will remain in high demand. Staffing and recruiting firms help employers identify specialized talent and hire for roles that support business priorities.

What jobs will be in demand in 2026?

Skills gaps, rising application volumes and extra evaluation steps continue to complicate hiring. Staffing firms like Robert Half help by validating candidate skills and experience, managing applicant assessments and reducing time to hire.

What hiring challenges will employers face in 2026?

AI is increasing applications and verification needs. Staffing firms like Robert Half help employers navigate these changes by delivering pre-evaluated talent and streamlining the hiring process.

How will AI affect hiring in 2026?

AI is increasing applications and verification needs. Staffing firms like Robert Half help employers navigate these changes by delivering pre-evaluated talent and streamlining the hiring process.