Two-thirds of employers to increase hiring in H2

Now hiring? Just about everyone, apparently.

Two-thirds of US employers plan to increase hiring in the second half of 2026, according to a new report from talent solutions and business consulting firm Robert Half, which polled over 2,000 American hiring managers in April 2026.

The 66% of employers who plan to increase permanent hiring is a climb from the first half of the year, when 60% of employers said the same. It’s an even steeper climb from one year ago, when 57% of employers planned to do so. Outside of permanent hiring, 56% of employers said they planned to hire contract professionals.

“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 of Robert Half, said in a statement. “We’re seeing employers invest in both permanent and contract professionals to access the expertise they need, maintain momentum, and remain competitive.”

Certain industries reported being especially keen to increase hiring, including finance and accounting. Nearly three-fourths (74%) of finance and accounting hiring managers said they plan to increase their permanent hires in H2, placing the industry only behind technology and healthcare for the most planned new hires.

For all the hiring enthusiasm, the report also revealed a struggle to find talent; 58% of hiring managers across industries said “finding qualified talent is more difficult than it was a year ago.”

Those skills shortages are having a business impact: 63% of respondents reported “significant project delays” while 48% said they’ve canceled projects due to a lack of adequately skilled staff.