2026 Job Market Demand Outlook: Healthcare and Skilled Trades Take the Lead
Interactive Brokers Chief Strategist Steve Sosnick discusses the December jobs report, Fed rate-cut odds, and the market’s reaction on ‘The Claman Countdown.’
Despite an extremely competitive job market, demand remains robust for workers in healthcare, essential services, infrastructure-related fields, and other skill-based jobs, as highlighted in Monster’s latest report.
Monster’s 2026 Job Market Outlook, which analyzes full-year 2025 job posting and jobseeker data, provides insights into the labor market by focusing on various sectors. This approach aims to help jobseekers target their search effectively.
“The 2026 labor market is defined less by broad growth or decline and more by divergence,” stated Monster careers expert Vicki Salemi in the report. She emphasized that “hiring demand is concentrating in sectors tied to essential services, public investment, and specialized skills, while other areas continue to slow or undergo structural change.”
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Demand remains strong for workers in healthcare, essential services. (Getty)
Salemi further explained that understanding “where demand is structurally supported, rather than temporarily elevated, can mean the difference between chasing openings and building a resilient career path.”
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According to Monster’s report, healthcare continues to be the strongest hiring sector. The most sought-after roles include registered nurses, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language therapists, clinical social workers, and licensed professional counselors.
The report also emphasizes that skill-based, credentialed, and hands-on jobs consistently outperform white-collar support roles. These positions “address persistent, real-world needs that cannot be easily automated or postponed,” Salemi noted.
Overall, healthcare remains the strongest hiring engine, according to Monster’s report. (Brian Krista/The Baltimore Sun/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
There is also a notable shift in technology towards infrastructure, operations, and stability, rather than speculative expansion, Salemi pointed out.
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Here are the jobs in demand:
Skilled Trades & Technical Services
(Hands-on technical skills with strong replacement and maintenance demand)
- Automotive technician / mechanic
- Electronics technician
- Repair technician
Transportation, Logistics & Essential Services
(In-person, credentialed roles that support supply chains and emergency response)
- Logistics specialist
- Over-the-Road truck driver
- Emergency medical technician (EMT)
- Delivery person
The report also highlighted that skill-based, credentialed and hands-on jobs continue to outperform white-collar support roles. (Getty)
Technology & Data
(Targeted technical roles tied directly to quality, performance, and data infrastructure)
- Quality assurance engineer
- Data engineer
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Health, Wellness & Community Care
(Preventative care, wellness services, and community-facing roles expand)
- Dentist
- Dietitian
- Massage therapist
- Personal trainer
Interactive Brokers Chief Strategist Steve Sosnick discusses the December jobs report, Fed rate-cut odds, and the market’s reaction on ‘The Claman Countdown.’
Despite an extremely competitive job market, demand remains robust for workers in healthcare, essential services, infrastructure-related fields, and other skill-based jobs, as highlighted in Monster’s latest report.
Monster’s 2026 Job Market Outlook, which analyzes full-year 2025 job posting and jobseeker data, provides insights into the labor market by focusing on various sectors. This approach aims to help jobseekers target their search effectively.
“The 2026 labor market is defined less by broad growth or decline and more by divergence,” stated Monster careers expert Vicki Salemi in the report. She emphasized that “hiring demand is concentrating in sectors tied to essential services, public investment, and specialized skills, while other areas continue to slow or undergo structural change.”
AI WON’T KILL YOUR JOB, BUT IT WILL CHANGE WHAT ‘REAL WORK’ MEANS, ROBINHOOD CEO SAYS
Demand remains strong for workers in healthcare, essential services. (Getty)
Salemi further explained that understanding “where demand is structurally supported, rather than temporarily elevated, can mean the difference between chasing openings and building a resilient career path.”
DATA CENTER BOOM POWERING AI REVOLUTION MAY DRAIN US GRIDS — AND WALLETS
According to Monster’s report, healthcare continues to be the strongest hiring sector. The most sought-after roles include registered nurses, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language therapists, clinical social workers, and licensed professional counselors.
The report also emphasizes that skill-based, credentialed, and hands-on jobs consistently outperform white-collar support roles. These positions “address persistent, real-world needs that cannot be easily automated or postponed,” Salemi noted.
Overall, healthcare remains the strongest hiring engine, according to Monster’s report. (Brian Krista/The Baltimore Sun/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
There is also a notable shift in technology towards infrastructure, operations, and stability, rather than speculative expansion, Salemi pointed out.
CONSUMER SENTIMENT RISES ABOVE EXPECTATIONS IN JANUARY BUT REMAINS BELOW LAST YEAR’S LEVEL
Here are the jobs in demand:
Skilled Trades & Technical Services
(Hands-on technical skills with strong replacement and maintenance demand)
- Automotive technician / mechanic
- Electronics technician
- Repair technician
Transportation, Logistics & Essential Services
(In-person, credentialed roles that support supply chains and emergency response)
- Logistics specialist
- Over-the-Road truck driver
- Emergency medical technician (EMT)
- Delivery person
The report also highlighted that skill-based, credentialed and hands-on jobs continue to outperform white-collar support roles. (Getty)
Technology & Data
(Targeted technical roles tied directly to quality, performance, and data infrastructure)
- Quality assurance engineer
- Data engineer
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
Health, Wellness & Community Care
(Preventative care, wellness services, and community-facing roles expand)
- Dentist
- Dietitian
- Massage therapist
- Personal trainer
