Robert Half: Two-thirds of U.S. employers plan to increase hiring in second half of 2026
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Hiring plans climb to 66%, up from 57% a year ago
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Technology, healthcare, and finance and accounting lead hiring demand
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Denver, Minneapolis and San Francisco top U.S. hiring markets
The majority of U.S. employers plan to increase hiring in the second half of 2026 as organizations advance business priorities and seek specialized talent to address persistent skills shortages, according to new research from talent solutions and business consulting firm Robert Half.
In a survey of more than 2,000 U.S. hiring managers, 66% say they plan to increase permanent hiring during the second half of 2026, up from 60% in the first half of the year and 57% one year ago. More than half (56%) also expect to hire contract professionals to access specialized expertise, support priority initiatives and keep critical work moving.
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“Organizations are increasingly moving forward with strategic initiatives, but many recognize they need specialized talent to make those plans a reality,” said Dawn Fay, operational president of Robert Half. “We’re seeing employers invest in both permanent and contract professionals to access the expertise they need, maintain momentum and remain competitive.”
Where hiring demand is strongest
Hiring plans vary by location and area of specialization, with several major U.S. markets and specializations reporting particularly strong demand:
Hiring plans by city
|
Rank |
City |
Plans to increase permanent hiring |
|
1 |
Denver |
83 % |
|
2 |
Minneapolis |
76 % |
|
3 |
San Francisco |
73 % |
|
4 |
Houston |
69 % |
|
5 |
Seattle |
69 % |
|
6 |
Boston |
66 % |
|
7 |
Dallas |
65 % |
|
8 |
Los Angeles |
64 % |
|
9 |
Atlanta |
63 % |
|
10 |
Chicago |
63 % |
|
11 |
New York |
59 % |
|
12 |
Washington, D.C. |
57 % |
Hiring plans by specialization
|
Rank |
Specialization |
Plans to increase permanent hiring |
|
1 |
Technology |
78 % |
|
2 |
Healthcare |
75 % |
|
3 |
Finance and accounting |
74 % |
|
4 |
Marketing and creative |
65 % |
|
5 |
Legal |
58 % |
|
6 |
Human resources |
56 % |
|
7 |
Administrative and customer support |
52 % |
Employers continue to face skills shortages
Despite growing hiring demand, employers continue to struggle to find professionals with the specialized skills they need. Nearly 6 in 10 hiring managers (58%) say finding qualified talent is more difficult than it was a year ago.
Skills shortages are also affecting business execution:
- 63% have experienced significant project delays.
- 48% have canceled projects because they lacked the staff with the necessary skills.
The skills employers say are hardest to find include:
- Industry-specific knowledge (47%)
- Software proficiency (42%)
- Leadership abilities (40%)
In response, organizations are turning to staffing firms for candidates with specialized project skills (60%), urgent project support (56%) and to backfill for internal staff (48%).
“When specialized talent is difficult to find, employers are expanding how they approach hiring,” Fay said. “Partnering with a staffing firm gives organizations access to a broader network of skilled professionals, including contract talent who can make an immediate impact while companies continue recruiting for long-term needs.”
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