Jobs Report: Hiring Flat for 2026 Grads

"Forty-five percent of employers consider the job market to be "fair," and they are projecting a 1.6 percent year-over-year increase in hiring for the Class of 2026, according to a new report from the National Association of Colleges and Employers. The last time a plurality of employers gave the job market a "fair" rating was in 2021, when hiring projections were also flat. During the four interim years, most employers rated the job market as "good" or "very good," the report shows."

"About 60 percent of the 183 employers NACE polled for the 2026 Job Outlook Survey said they are planning to keep the number of people they hire stable next year. A quarter of employers said they plan to increase the number of hires, primarily citing a commitment to succession planning and the talent pipeline, as well as company growth, as key reasons. The top five industries for projected hiring growth are miscellaneous professional services; engineering services; construction; finance, insurance and real estate; and management consulting."

"About 14 percent of employers said they plan to decrease the number of people they hire next year, citing reductions in business needs and projects, an uncertain economy and budget cuts. These employers are primarily concentrated in the chemical pharmaceutical manufacturing, transportation, wholesale trade, food and beverage manufacturing, and miscellaneous manufacturing industries. NACE surveyed employers between Aug. 7 and Sept. 22 of this year for their thoughts on the job market, hiring trends and salaries. About 40 percent of employers plan to increase salaries for bachelor's degree holders in 2026, and 28.3 percent will do the same for master's degree holders. No employers reported plans to decrease salaries for either group next year, the report states."

Employers project a 1.6 percent year-over-year hiring increase for the Class of 2026, with 45 percent rating the job market as "fair." Sixty percent of surveyed employers plan to keep hiring levels stable, while 25 percent plan increases driven by succession planning, talent-pipeline development, and company growth. The top five industries for projected hiring growth include professional services, engineering services, construction, finance/insurance/real estate, and management consulting. Fourteen percent plan to reduce hires due to lower business needs, an uncertain economy, and budget cuts, concentrated in several manufacturing and transportation sectors. About 40 percent plan salary increases for bachelor's degree holders and 28.3 percent for master's holders, with no planned salary decreases.

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