Demand for experienced technology and professional services workers in remote and hybrid roles increased in the second quarter of 2026, even as overall hiring remained under pressure, according to a new report from Toptal.
The company’s Market Strength Score, which tracks job postings, compensation and hiring activity, found demand for experienced remote and hybrid professionals grew 5.4% quarter over quarter and 8.9% year over year.
The increase comes as technology layoffs remain elevated and broader job postings decline.
Overall job market continues to weaken
While demand for senior remote and hybrid professionals increased, job postings across professions and experience levels in the U.S. and other major economies fell by an average of 3.6% from the previous quarter and 9% year over year.
Technology layoffs also remained higher than last year, though they declined 47% compared with the first quarter of 2026. Toptal attributed much of the quarterly decline to an unusually high number of layoffs in Q1, including Oracle’s reported reduction of about 20,000 employees.
AI is changing what companies look for
The report identifies AI implementation as a major factor influencing hiring decisions. Rather than replacing large numbers of workers, AI is changing how companies structure teams and allocate hiring budgets.
Organizations are increasingly looking for experienced professionals who combine technical expertise with AI knowledge, strategic thinking and the ability to work across multiple functions.
At the same time, demand is weakening for some junior positions and roles centered around repetitive tasks, as companies prioritize smaller teams with broader skill sets.
Senior professionals expected to see continued demand
Toptal’s forecast projects modest growth for technology roles and a relatively stable outlook for professional services positions in the third quarter of 2026. Experienced remote and hybrid technology workers are also expected to see continued moderate demand.
The report suggests that while economic uncertainty continues to affect hiring decisions, companies are still investing in specialized talent that can help them implement AI, solve complex problems and adapt to changing business needs.
