Tech hiring in the United States is stabilizing after a period of moderation, with employers reporting a Q2 2026 Net Employment Outlook (NEO) of 41%, an eight-point increase from the prior quarter, according to the latest Tech Talent Outlook from Experis, part of the ManpowerGroup family of brands. The improvement suggests growing employer confidence as technology investments continue across industries, though the U.S. outlook remains five points below year-ago levels.
The data for the second quarter was collected between January 1 and February 3, 2026, prior to geopolitical developments that began across the Middle East in late February. The findings reflect employer sentiment at the time of data collection and may not capture the potential impact of subsequent events.
Globally, the picture is stronger. Tech employers worldwide report a Q2 NEO of 45%, up four points from the previous quarter and nine points year-over-year, reflecting sustained demand for tech talent. The U.S. outlook trails the global average, consistent with other mature tech economies where precision hiring has replaced broad-based expansion.
At the same time, skills shortages remain a constraint on both sides of this picture. Seventy-three percent of tech employers globally report difficulty finding the skilled talent they need, a slight improvement from 76% a year ago, while 74% of U.S. employers report challenges filling tech roles. The most acute gaps are in artificial intelligence capabilities alongside core human skills such as professionalism and work ethic.
“Across the global tech economy, demand for specialized talent remains high, but the nature of hiring has fundamentally changed,” said Kye Mitchell, President of Experis U.S. “Employers are moving away from broad-based expansion and toward a more deliberate, skills-first approach. In the U.S., the quarter-over-quarter improvement suggests stabilization, while organizations continue focusing on securing specialized expertise, particularly in AI, and strengthening the human capabilities that support long-term business performance.”
To address ongoing talent scarcity, employers are adopting a mix of workforce strategies. Globally, the most common actions include:
- Upskilling and reskilling current employees (30%)
- Offering more work location flexibility (24%)
- Increasing wages (22%)
- Targeting new and underrepresented talent pools (22%)
- Offering more schedule flexibility (21%)
U.S. employers report similar priorities:
- Upskilling and reskilling current employees (29%)
- Increasing wages (28%)
- Targeting new and underrepresented talent pools (28%)
- Offering more schedule flexibility (23%)
- AI or automation to reduce staffing needs (22%)
Regional Highlights
Tech hiring expectations vary significantly across geographies, with high-growth markets continuing to outpace more established tech economies.
- Asia Pacific leads global tech hiring confidence.
- India reports the strongest outlook worldwide at 69%, reflecting robust demand for AI and digital transformation talent.
- Vietnam, participating in the survey for the first time this quarter, reports an NEO of 49%.
- Australia (37%) reflects more moderate intentions within the region.
- The Americas show broad-based improvement.
- Brazil leads with an NEO of 63%, followed by Panama (61%) and Canada (45%).
- Colombia (13%) reflects more cautious employer sentiment, underscoring the uneven pace of tech hiring recovery across the region.
- Europe and the Middle East presents a mixed picture.
- The United Arab Emirates leads the region at 69%, followed by Portugal (50%) and the Netherlands (48%).
- At the other end, Romania (3%) and Switzerland (8%) report the weakest outlooks globally, reflecting continued caution in parts of Central and Eastern Europe amid broader economic uncertainty.
For tech professionals with in-demand expertise, opportunities remain strong across markets. Employers are increasingly prioritizing candidates with specialized capabilities in AI, cloud and data, alongside the human skills needed to collaborate, adapt and deliver business impact in rapidly evolving digital environments.
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