Robert Half: Two-Thirds of Employers Plan to Hire in H2 2026
Robert Half, the talent solutions and business consulting firm, reports that the majority of U.S. employers are gearing up to expand their workforces heading into the back half of the year. 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.
Beyond permanent roles, more than half of employers (56%) also expect to bring on contract professionals to access specialized expertise, support priority initiatives, and keep critical work moving. The dual approach reflects a labor market where demand is climbing even as organizations wrestle with persistent skills shortages.
"Organizations are increasingly moving forward with strategic initiatives, but many recognize they need specialized talent to make those plans a reality."
— Dawn Fay, Operational President, Robert HalfWhere Hiring Demand Is Strongest
Hiring intentions vary sharply by geography. Denver leads the nation, with 83% of employers planning to grow permanent staff, followed by Minneapolis (76%) and San Francisco (73%). Houston and Seattle round out the strongest markets, each at 69%.
By specialization, technology tops the list at 78%, with healthcare (75%) and finance and accounting (74%) close behind. Marketing and creative, legal, and human resources also register solid demand, signaling broad-based appetite for talent across sectors.
"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."
— Dawn Fay, Operational President, Robert HalfSkills Shortages Still Slow the Work
Despite growing demand, employers continue to struggle to find the specialized skills they need. Nearly 6 in 10 hiring managers (58%) say qualified talent is harder to find than a year ago — and the gap is disrupting execution. 63% report significant project delays, while 48% have outright canceled projects because they lacked staff with the necessary skills.
The hardest capabilities to source include industry-specific knowledge (47%), software proficiency (42%), and leadership abilities (40%). In response, organizations are increasingly turning to staffing firms — for specialized project skills (60%), urgent project support (56%), and to backfill internal roles (48%) — blending permanent hiring, contract talent, and upskilling to bridge the gap and keep projects on track.
Hiring is accelerating. 66% of U.S. hiring managers plan to increase permanent hiring in H2 2026, up from 60% earlier in the year and 57% a year ago.
Contract talent is key. 56% of employers expect to hire contract professionals to access specialized expertise and keep priority work moving.
Denver and tech lead demand. Denver (83%) tops city rankings, while technology (78%), healthcare (75%), and finance and accounting (74%) lead by specialization.
Skills gaps are biting. 58% say qualified talent is harder to find than a year ago, causing project delays (63%) and cancellations (48%).
Staffing firms fill the void. Employers lean on staffing partners for specialized skills (60%), urgent support (56%), and backfilling roles (48%).