U.S. Tech Hiring Moderates as Employers Prioritize Quality Over Quantity

Rhea-AI Summary

Experis Tech Talent Outlook (Q1 2026) shows U.S. tech hiring is moderating as employers shift from volume to precision hiring. The U.S. Net Employment Outlook (NEO) for Q1 2026 is 33%, down 10 percentage points from the prior quarter and 19 points year‑over‑year, placing the U.S. below the global average of 35%. Nearly 49% of U.S. tech employers still plan to add staff in Q1 while 16% expect reductions. Employers are prioritizing reskilling and flexible strategies: 32% upskilling current staff, 26% targeting underrepresented pools, and 25% increasing wages. Demand remains concentrated for AI, cloud, and data skills. The full report and Q2 2026 preview are available from Experis.

Positive

• Nearly 49% of U.S. tech employers plan to hire in Q1 2026
• Demand remains strong for AI, cloud, and data specialists
• 32% of employers prioritizing upskilling and reskilling current staff
• 25% of employers increasing wages to compete for talent

Negative

• U.S. NEO fell to 33%, down 10 points quarter‑over‑quarter
• U.S. NEO is 19 points lower year‑over‑year
• U.S. hiring expectations now sit below the global average of 35%

Experis survey: Nearly half of tech employers still plan to hire, but persistent skills gaps are driving investment in reskilling and flexible workforce strategies

MILWAUKEE, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Tech hiring in the United States is showing clear signs of moderation as 2026 begins. According to Experis' latest Tech Talent Outlook, U.S. tech employers report a Net Employment Outlook (NEO) of 33% for the first quarter of 2026. This represents a 10-percentage point decline from the prior quarter, and a 19-point drop year-over-year. For the first time, the U.S. has fallen below the global average, which stands at 35%.

Despite the slowdown, hiring intent remains resilient. Nearly half (49%) of U.S. tech employers still plan to add staff in Q1, while just 16% expect workforce reductions. The constraint is not demand. It is access to skills — and that persistent gap is prompting organizations to rethink how they build and sustain tech talent.

"The tech labor market is recalibrating," said Kye Mitchell, President of Experis U.S. "Employers are being more thoughtful and strategic in how they hire, but demand for specialized skills remains strong. What we're seeing is a move from broad, volume hiring to precision hiring. The competition for high-impact tech talent is as strong as ever."

With tech talent scarcity persisting globally, employers are doubling down on strategies to close the skills gap:

• Upskilling and reskilling current employees (32%)
• Targeting new and underrepresented talent pools (26%)
• Increasing wages to remain competitive (25%)

Globally, tech hiring expectations remain strongest in emerging and high-growth markets. Brazil leads with an NEO of 58%, followed by Peru (51%) and India (50%). At 33%, the U.S. sits alongside Belgium and China, reflecting a broader cooling trend across more mature tech economies.

For tech professionals with in-demand capabilities, particularly in AI, cloud, and data, the shift toward precision hiring presents opportunity. Employers are prioritizing candidates who can deliver immediate business impact, making specialized expertise more valuable than ever.

To view the full Q1 2026 Experis Tech Talent Outlook, including detailed U.S. and global findings, visit experis.com. The next report, covering Q2 2026 hiring expectations, will be released in March 2026.

ABOUT THE SURVEY
This research is based on results from the ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey — the longest running, most comprehensive, forward-looking employment survey of its kind, used globally as a key labor market indicator. ManpowerGroup interviewed 3,796 Tech & IT Services employers across 41 countries on hiring intentions for the first quarter of 2026.

SURVEY METHODOLOGY
Survey responses were collected from October 1-31, 2025. Size of organization and sector are standardized across all countries and territories to allow international comparisons. 

ABOUT MANPOWERGROUP
ManpowerGroup® (NYSE: MAN), the leading global workforce solutions company, helps organizations transform in a fast-changing world of work by sourcing, assessing, developing, and managing the talent that enables them to win. We develop innovative solutions for hundreds of thousands of organizations every year, providing them with skilled talent while finding meaningful, sustainable employment for millions of people across a wide range of industries and skills. Our expert family of brands – Manpower, Experis, and Talent Solutions – creates substantially more value for candidates and clients across more than 70 countries and territories and has done so for more than 75 years. We are recognized consistently for our diversity – as a best place to work for Women, Inclusion, Equality, and Disability, and in 2025 ManpowerGroup was named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for the 16th time – all confirming our position as the brand of choice for in-demand talent.

For more information, visit www.manpowergroup.com, or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Bluesky.

ABOUT EXPERIS
Experis® is a global leader in technology services and talent, helping organizations accelerate digital transformation through a unique blend of expert teams and specialized tech talent. We combine deep expertise in cloud, AI, data, and applications with top-tier tech talent to help organizations modernize, innovate, and drive measurable business outcomes. Through Experis Academy, we build future-ready talent through business-ready training, reskilling, and upskilling programs that address critical technology skill gaps. Experis is part of the ManpowerGroup® (NYSE: MAN) family of brands, a global workforce solutions leader, which also includes Manpower and Talent Solutions.

For more information, visit www.experis.com, or follow us on LinkedIn.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding labor demand in certain regions, countries and industries, and economic uncertainty. Actual events or results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, due to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These factors include those found in the Company's reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the information under the heading "Risk Factors" in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, whose information is incorporated herein by reference. ManpowerGroup disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking or other statements in this release, except as required by law.

FAQ

What is the U.S. Net Employment Outlook (NEO) for Q1 2026 for MAN?

The U.S. NEO for Q1 2026 is 33%, reflecting moderated hiring intent.

How much did U.S. tech hiring expectations change quarter‑over‑quarter in Q1 2026?

U.S. NEO declined by 10 percentage points from the prior quarter.

What share of U.S. tech employers plan to add staff in Q1 2026 (MAN)?

Nearly 49% of U.S. tech employers report plans to add staff in Q1 2026.

Which talent strategies are U.S. employers prioritizing according to the Q1 2026 report?

Top strategies: 32% upskilling/reskilling, 26% targeting underrepresented pools, 25% raising wages.

How does U.S. tech hiring compare globally in Q1 2026?

At 33% NEO, the U.S. sits below the global average of 35% and below several emerging markets.