Two-Thirds of US Employers Plan to Increase Permanent Hiring

Approximately 66% of U.S. employers plan to increase permanent hiring during the second half of 2026, according to data from staffing firm Robert Half Inc. This figure marks a steady rise from 60% in the first half of the year and 57% a year ago. The strongest demand for new talent is concentrated in technology (78%), healthcare (75%), and finance and accounting (74%).

Beyond permanent roles, 56% of employers intend to hire contract talent to bridge skills gaps that previously led to project cancellations. This shift toward growth follows a period of volatility, including 1.2 million job cuts in 2025 and a significant hiring slump in June 2026, when only 57,000 roles were added to the economy.

Despite the projected increase in corporate hiring, worker confidence has reached record lows. This trend is most pronounced among employees over age 60 and those without college degrees, who remain more susceptible to economic swings.