What Actually Happened in Tech Staffing in 2025

AI.

Quick Summary: Tech Staffing in 2026

Despite headlines, tech staffing remained resilient in 2025. Demand continued for AI, data, cybersecurity, and contract-based roles, while employers shifted toward faster, more intentional hiring. In 2026, successful tech hiring will balance AI efficiency with human-led recruiting, flexible staffing models, and clearer role definition.

Tech Employment Remained Strong — Even During Layoffs

• The U.S. tech workforce remained above 6 million workers throughout 2025
  Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
  https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/employment-by-major-industry-sector.htm

• While layoffs made headlines, tech unemployment stayed below the national average
  Source: BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
  https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm

Translation: Talent shifted — it didn’t vanish.

Layoffs Were Concentrated, Not Universal

• Over 60% of tech layoffs in 2025 came from:

  • Big Tech

  • Over-hired consumer platforms

  • Venture-backed startups tightening burn rates
    Source: Layoffs.fyi
    https://layoffs.fyi

• Meanwhile, hiring increased in:

  • AI engineering

  • Data analytics

  • Cybersecurity

  • Healthcare and enterprise software
    Source: CompTIA Tech Jobs Report
    https://www.comptia.org/content/tech-jobs-report

Translation: Demand didn’t disappear — it moved.

Contract, Project, and Interim Hiring Surged

• Contract tech roles grew 18% year-over-year in 2025
  Source: Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA)
  https://www.staffingindustry.com

• Employers favored:

  • Shorter hiring cycles

  • Project-based teams

  • Flexible staffing models

Translation: Speed and adaptability became competitive advantages.

What Tech Hiring Will Look Like in 2026

AI Skills Are Table Stakes — Not the Whole Job

• 75% of employers expect AI tools to be part of most technical roles
  Source: World Economic Forum
  https://www.weforum.org/reports/the-future-of-jobs-report-2025

• But companies are prioritizing hybrid talent:

  • Engineers who understand business needs

  • Data professionals who can communicate insights

  • Technical leaders who can guide teams through change

Hiring Will Be More Intentional

Expect:

• Fewer “just in case” hires

• More role clarity before recruiting starts

• Stronger emphasis on retention and team fit

Employers are no longer hiring for volume — they’re hiring for impact.

Speed Still Wins

In 2025:

• Top tech candidates were off the market in 10–14 days
  Source: LinkedIn Workforce Reports
  https://economicgraph.linkedin.com

In 2026:

• Employers with streamlined interview processes and trusted staffing partners will win the best talent — consistently.

What This Means for Employers

The tech staffing market didn’t collapse — it matured.

The companies succeeding in 2026 will:

• Hire more thoughtfully

• Move faster when the right talent appears

• Balance AI efficiency with human judgment

• Partner with recruiters who understand both tech roles and real-world business constraints

Looking Ahead

2026 isn’t about returning to “how it used to be.”

It’s about building smarter teams, hiring with clarity, and recognizing that the best tech outcomes still come from people — not just platforms.

At ReliaStaff, we help companies navigate this new reality with a human-led, data-informed approach to tech staffing — nationwide.

Need help? Contact us.