EEP US Corporate

Data-Driven Workforce Trends for 2026
To provide accurate and timely employment forecasts for business leaders, the Job Insights survey is conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals among hiring decision-makers in the U.S. This biannual survey tracks employment and hiring trends across a wide range of industries. The data and trends collected via the survey are summarized in the Job Insights report.
  • The majority of hiring decision-makers feel positively about their company's hiring outlook, while 37% feel negatively about theirs
  • Reflecting a significant increase from spring 2025 (58%), 66% report their company plans to increase the number of employees in the first half of the year
  • Hiring plans are met with anticipated hurdles, as 91% expect their company will face hiring challenges over the next year, including implementing/identifying ways to use AI in hiring (46%)
  • 86% of hiring decision-makers feel companies need to focus on formally training employees on how to best use AI in their day-to-day work, rather than expecting them to learn on their own
  • 80% are concerned about the impact of AI on career opportunities in their field/industry for the next generation
  • Hiring decision-makers in white collar work are more likely than those in blue collar work to report concerns that there will be an over-dependence on technology (46% vs. 32%)
  • 50% of hiring decision-makers report turnover will increase and 42% say it will stay about the same or not change
  • Turnover is expected to cost companies more than $45,000 annually on average, up from more than $36,000 in fall 2024
  • 75% anticipate their company will increase average wages, perhaps in response to turnover
  • 83% of hiring decision-makers say their company is willing to hire contingent workers to meet business needs
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