By Katie Merritt, Senior Research and Data Manager, Robert HalfThe U.S. job market in 2025 looks markedly different from recent years. After a stretch of rapid growth, intense competition for talent and record-high turnover, the market has cooled with recent employment revisions from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) suggesting job gains were about half the number reported over the last 12 months.Other recent data from the BLS shows the unemployment rate hovering around 4%—one of the lowest levels in decades—and job openings were around 7.2 million in July. That said, the number of openings has been declining, certain sectors are experiencing layoffs and hiring processes are elongating.Some employers have already hit the pause button on large-scale hiring while those pressing ahead with team expansion through year-end are taking a more targeted approach to staffing. For example, many are prioritizing talent recruitment for high-impact roles critical to compliance, digital transformation and business growth, such as financial analysts, cybersecurity specialists and marketing automation experts.Robert Half’s research for the midyear update of our Demand for Skilled Talent report underscores how hiring trends in 2025, to date, have been less about employers moving with urgency to staff open roles and more about their preference to recruit talent strategically. We have also learned that many professionals are reassessing their priorities, and often weighing work flexibility, company culture and career development opportunities as heavily as pay.Read our midyear report.
Business confidence: A mix of optimism and caution
To understand why hiring is becoming more targeted, it helps to consider how business leaders are feeling about the economy—and what dynamics are likely influencing their decision-making.Small business sentiment is inching upward. The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose slightly to 100.8 in August, nearly three points above the 52-year average, signaling modest confidence about future expansion. The NFIB Uncertainty Index also fell by four points to 93—although the NFIB notes that this figure is well above the historical average.NFIB’s research shows that the top concern for small business owners is labor quality. And according to other NFIB data, of the 53% of owners hiring or trying to hire in August, 81% reported few or no qualified applicants for the positions they were aiming to staff.Meanwhile, leaders at large firms are also feeling more optimistic about general economic conditions. The Conference Board’s CEO Confidence Index climbed 15 points to 49 in Q3 2025—a sharp increase from earlier in the year, but still just shy of the neutral 50 mark.Another finding from the survey: For the first time since 2020, more CEOs said they plan to streamline their workforce (34%) than expand it (27%) over the next 12 months. Rising costs—especially those tied to digital transformation efforts—are leading many companies to increase automation of routine work and emphasize targeted hiring and internal talent development. The continued move away from “labor hoarding,” a strategy to avoid the high cost and difficulty of finding new talent when business growth necessitates it, is another factor for many firms reducing or maintaining headcount.
What industries are hiring in 2025—and what jobs are in demand?
While the overall tempo in the U.S. job market has been slowing, hiring activity in 2025 continues to show strength in several key industries and professional fields. Here are three notable examples, along with examples of positions in the top 10% of roles in demand, based on an analysis of thousands of job postings and Robert Half placements:HealthcareWith an aging population and rising need for services, healthcare remains one of the most reliable engines of job creation in the U.S. economy. In the first half of 2025, there were close to 150,000 new openings added. Employers are not only adding clinical staff but also strengthening nonclinical teams to improve patient access, billing accuracy and customer service. At the same time, hospitals and health systems are modernizing IT infrastructure, electronic records and diagnostic tools—creating steady demand for support roles that keep operations running smoothly.Top jobs: Medical biller, medical customer service specialist, patient access/services specialistsLearn more about these and other nonclinical roles in demand.Finance and accountingMarket volatility, inflationary pressures and heightened regulatory scrutiny are pushing many organizations to invest in growing their finance teams. Companies are hiring skilled to improve forecasting, manage compliance and guide strategic decision-making. The demand is especially acute in mid-level and senior roles, where professionals can interpret complex financial data and advise leaders on risk and growth opportunities.Top jobs: Staff or senior accountant, controller, director of financeLearn more about these and other finance and accounting roles in demand.TechnologyDigital transformation and tech modernization initiatives are fueling job growth in every major business sector. AI and automation are being deployed to cut costs and unlock new capabilities, while cloud adoption continues to redefine IT strategies. At the same time, cybersecurity remains a top concern as companies confront more sophisticated threats. Together, these forces are driving demand for tech and IT talent that can innovate, scale and secure enterprise systems.Top jobs: ML engineer, IT project manager, business analyst, software developerLearn more about these and other tech and IT roles in demand.
Remote work hiring trends: Many candidates aiming for hybrid arrangements
The enduring importance of work flexibility continues to shape 2025 hiring trends—and the disconnect between what professionals want and what employers provide remains one of the U.S. labor market’s defining tensions. Robert Half’s research shows that the majority of job seekers are eyeing hybrid roles, yet only a third of jobs feature any remote work.What are the implications of this gap? Companies that stand firm on in-office-only policies risk throttling their talent pipeline, while those that support hybrid work are more likely to have an edge in recruiting and retaining in-demand professionals. For job seekers, prioritizing work flexibility could limit job opportunities, but it may also help surface roles that align more closely with long-term goals, values and work preferences.See Robert Half’s recent analysis of remote work hiring trends in the U.S.
The job market outlook for the remainder of 2025
As we move further into the second half of 2025, hiring trends are pointing to a labor market where employers are focusing less on expanding headcount and more on securing targeted expertise that can help advance critical initiatives.Even so, they will be challenged in finding candidates. According to Robert Half’s research, 73% of employees plan to stay in their current positions through the end of this year, citing flexibility and stability as key reasons.In this complex and more measured hiring environment, engaging contract talent is gaining traction as a strategic solution for businesses that need to access in-demand skills and keep key projects moving forward. Research from Robert Half found that 67% of companies are increasing contract hiring in the second half of 2025 as a way to:Access specialized skills: 27%Leverage workforce flexibility: 24%Achieve cost savings: 20%Robert Half's data also shows that flexible work is grabbing the attention of job seekers, with 71% reporting they would consider contract roles.Learn about other trends shaping the U.S. job market through year-end 2025—and likely beyond.
Stay informed about current hiring trends with resources from Robert Half
Keeping pace with hiring trends in 2025 means more than knowing which roles are in demand. It’s also about understanding what is driving the need for skilled talent, and where that talent is needed most.With access to timely data and well-researched insights, employers can stay agile and hire more effectively, and professionals can navigate the job market more successfully. To stay in the know, check out these data-driven resources from Robert Half:Demand for Skilled Talent reportLabor Market Overview pageSalary GuideFollow Katie Merritt on LinkedIn.
