The majority of U.S. employers say they plan to increase hiring this year—these are the top roles they’re looking to fill

In 2026, U.S. employers are optimistic about increasing permanent hiring in the second half of the year, with 66% planning to do so, according to Robert Half data. This marks a significant rise from 60% in the first half and 57% from the previous year. Furthermore, 56% of American employers intend to add contract talent to address the shortage of specialized skills, as many have had to cancel projects due to skill gaps.

Michelle Reisdorf, a district director at Robert Half, notes that businesses have reached a point where waiting to hire is no longer an option. They have business priorities to meet and are willing to invest in talent directly supporting those goals. While technology workers are at the top of employers' hiring lists, followed by healthcare specialists, finance and accounting professionals, marketing and creative talent, and legal experts, human resources and administrative/customer support roles remain highly sought after.

The most challenging skills to find include industry-specific knowledge (47%), software proficiency (42%), and leadership abilities (40%). The tough job market has significantly impacted Americans, with the average perceived probability of finding a job if one loses their current role falling to 43.1% in December 2025, a 4.2% decrease from the previous year.

This record-low figure has been driven by various factors, such as workers earning less than six figures, those without college degrees, and baby boomers over 60, who have the lowest confidence in the job market.

The job market has also caused worker confidence to plummet, with many facing long periods of unemployment and even pay cuts. Gen Zers and millennials between 25 and 34 were unemployed for an average of 19 weeks (almost five months), while Gen Xers and baby boomers aged 55 to 64 were out of work for 26 weeks (over half a year). Among those who faced layoffs, 24% of Gen Xers and baby boomers failed to find new employment, and 11% were forced to accept pay cuts.