Tech hiring in the United States cooled but didn't stall heading into the final quarter of 2026. The U.S. Net Employment Outlook (NEO) stands at 37% for Q4, according to the latest Tech Talent Outlook from Experis, part of the ManpowerGroup family of brands.

The Outlook is down 10 points from both the previous quarter and the same period last year, following a notably strong period for U.S. tech hiring. Despite the moderation, more than half (53%) of U.S. tech employers plan to increase staffing levels in Q4, while 30% expect to maintain current workforce levels and 16% anticipate reductions. Among those adding staff, business growth is the most commonly cited reason. The U.S. Outlook is in line with the global tech average of 37%.

"U.S. tech hiring is moderating, but this is a market getting more deliberate, not pulling back. What stands out is that the skills employers value most are often human ones. Professionalism, critical thinking, and adaptability all rank above AI literacy," said Kye Mitchell, President, Experis U.S. "As AI adoption accelerates, those capabilities become increasingly important to putting technology to work. Employers aren't relying on one answer to the talent challenge either. They're building talent from within, expanding talent pools, and using multiple strategies to meet their needs."

Key U.S. Findings

• Hiring cooled but didn't stall: The U.S. tech NEO fell 10 points quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year to 37%. Despite the decline, 53% of employers plan to increase staffing levels in Q4, while just 16% anticipate reductions.
  
  
• In a tech report, human skills lead: Professionalism & Work Ethic (44%), Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving (39%), Adaptability & Willingness to Learn (37%) and Communication, Collaboration & Teamwork (35%) rank among the most sought-after skills.
  
  
• AI literacy leads technical skills: AI Literacy is the most sought-after technical skill at 34%, followed closely by AI Modeling & App Development at 33% and Traditional IT & Data skills, excluding AI, at 29%. The findings point to continued demand for technical capabilities alongside the human skills needed to apply them effectively.

Explore the complete Q4 2026 U.S. findings at: Experis Tech Talent Outlook

The next Experis Tech Talent Outlook, covering Q1 2027 hiring expectations, will be released in December 2026.