Businesses across the United States are increasing their hiring plans for the second half of 2026 as they focus on strategic growth and address persistent skills shortages. According to new research from Robert Half, employers are investing in both permanent and contract talent to secure specialized expertise needed to execute critical business initiatives and remain competitive.
Quick Intel
Robert Half's latest research shows that 66% of U.S. hiring managers plan to increase permanent hiring during the second half of 2026. The figure represents a notable rise from 60% in the first half of the year and 57% during the same period last year, highlighting growing employer confidence despite ongoing workforce challenges.
In addition to permanent hiring, more than half (56%) of hiring managers expect to recruit contract professionals to access specialized expertise, support business priorities, and maintain operational momentum.
"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."
The survey found that hiring demand varies across industries, with technology, healthcare, and finance and accounting emerging as the strongest areas for permanent recruitment.
Top industries planning permanent hiring:
These findings reflect employers' continued need for specialized professionals capable of supporting digital transformation, financial operations, and business growth initiatives.
Among major U.S. cities, Denver reported the highest hiring intentions, with 83% of employers planning to expand permanent staffing. Minneapolis followed at 76%, while San Francisco ranked third at 73%.
Other cities with strong hiring demand include:
The regional data suggests organizations across multiple industries continue to prioritize workforce expansion in key business hubs.
Despite stronger hiring plans, employers continue to face difficulties finding qualified professionals. According to the survey, 58% of hiring managers say recruiting skilled talent is more challenging than it was a year ago.
The shortage of specialized talent is having a direct impact on business performance:
The most difficult skills to find include:
These shortages continue to affect organizations' ability to execute strategic initiatives efficiently.
To address workforce shortages, many employers are expanding their hiring strategies by partnering with staffing firms. The research found that organizations primarily seek external talent for specialized project expertise, urgent business needs, and temporary workforce support.
Specifically:
"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."
The findings indicate that organizations are increasingly combining permanent hiring with flexible workforce strategies to overcome talent shortages while maintaining business continuity and supporting long-term growth.
The research is gathered from a survey developed by Robert Half and conducted by an independent research firm in April 2026. The survey contains responses from more than 2,000 hiring managers in the United States.
Robert Half (NYSE: RHI) is the world's first and largest specialized talent solutions and business consulting firm, connecting highly skilled job seekers with rewarding opportunities at great companies. We offer contract talent and permanent placement solutions in the fields of finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support, and we also provide executive search services. Robert Half is the parent company of Protiviti®, a global consulting firm that delivers internal audit, risk, business and technology consulting solutions. In the past 12 months, Robert Half, including Protiviti, has been named one of the Fortune® Most Admired Companies™ and 100 Best Companies to Work.
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