HireQuest Forecasts Stable, Skills-Focused Labor Market for 2026
HireQuest Inc. forecasts a stable U.S. labor market for 2026, emphasizing skilled labor and flexible roles. The report predicts balanced hiring without dramatic surges or declines, with regional trends showing industrial demand in the Southeast, manufacturing rebounds in the Midwest, and AI opportunities on the West Coast. The analysis highlights a strategic reset and alignment between employer and employee priorities.
HireQuest Inc. has released its 2026 U.S. Labor Market Outlook, forecasting a period of stabilization and strategic reset following several years of market volatility. Drawing on data from over 400 offices across its HireQuest Direct, Snelling, and MRI Network brands, the report highlights renewed demand for skilled labor, flexible contract positions, and a growing emphasis on alignment between employer and employee priorities. The analysis projects that 2026 will not be marked by dramatic hiring surges or declines, but by a balanced job market where flexible, skilled roles and values-driven employment take precedence. Regional trends include strong industrial demand in the Southeast and Mid-South, manufacturing rebounds in the Midwest, construction and energy growth in the Southwest, steady logistics hiring in the Mountain West, surging AI and data-center opportunities on the West Coast, and conservative, “perfect fit” hiring in the Northeast. Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. HireQuest Inc. published the original content used to generate this news brief via PR Newswire (Ref. ID: CL26577) on November 18, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. © Copyright 2025 - Public Technologies (PUBT)
