In this interview, career analytics researcher Alex Morgan shares an expert assessment of recent trends in IT vacancies, demand for specialized roles, the impact of AI and remote work, and what professionals should expect in the coming months.
In an evolving technology job market characterized by shifting hiring patterns and specialized skill demands, understanding the underlying trends is more critical than ever. To gain expert insight into what is happening in the IT labor landscape, we spoke with Alex Morgan, Career Analytics Researcher at ScanRole and author of the ScanRole glossary on job market analytics. Below, he shares a clear assessment of recent developments in IT hiring, key demand areas, regional differences, and how professionals can navigate the current market.
Q: Alex, what is your overall assessment of the current IT job market trend?
Alex Morgan: Over the past year, the IT job market has shifted from the exceptionally rapid hiring seen during the post-pandemic boom to a more selective and dynamic phase. Demand remains robust in specialist areas such as cloud computing, cybersecurity, data engineering, and AI-related roles, but overall hiring growth has moderated compared with the heady pace of 2021 – 2023. Employers are more deliberate in their hiring, prioritizing skill specialization and strategic workforce planning over volume hiring.
Q: How have macroeconomic forces influenced these trends?
Alex: The broader economic environment is clearly affecting tech labor markets. Several large firms in the U.S. and globally have announced layoffs, including in tech sectors, as corporations seek efficiency amid economic uncertainty and investment in automation. This has contributed to a cooling hiring momentum, even as demand for technical expertise continues. Those layoffs are not spread evenly – they tend to be concentrated in administrative and generalized tech roles – while specialist technical positions remain more resilient.
At the same time, wage growth in some tech segments has slowed, reflecting a more cautious approach from both employers and employees as labor markets normalize after unprecedented demand spikes.
Q: What are the most in-demand roles right now?
Alex: Across markets in 2025 and into 2026, companies report persistent shortages for candidates with skills in AI/ML engineering, cloud and DevOps, data analytics, and cybersecurity. These roles show consistent demand because they underpin digital transformation initiatives and secure enterprise infrastructure. Reports show elevated demand for cloud, data, and security specialists alongside emerging technologies.
It’s not just about the breadth of technology; it’s also about depth – employers increasingly seek deep competency in areas like distributed systems, secure cloud architectures, and machine learning productionization. Technical generalists, by contrast, face more competition and slower hiring prospects than specialists in the current climate.
Q: Are there regional differences in these trends?
Alex: Yes. Traditional tech hubs still command high concentrations of opportunities, but the geographic distribution of IT demand is broadening. Emerging markets and secondary U.S. cities are gaining traction as employers rethink cost and talent sourcing strategies. Remote work arrangements continue to influence labor mobility – fully remote firms attract higher volumes of applicants, underscoring candidate preference for flexibility.
In Europe, for example, talent shortages are acute in key tech centers, with many firms struggling to fill development and engineering positions, pushing salaries upward in response to competition.
Q: How has AI impacted the nature of tech roles themselves?
Alex: The impact of AI is twofold. On the demand side, AI and related specialties (such as natural language processing and ML operations) are among the fastest-growing job categories. On the supply side, automation and AI tools are reshaping how work is done – eliminating some lower-value tasks and requiring existing professionals to upskill.
This means that while AI may reduce demand for certain routine tasks, it creates opportunities for workers who combine domain knowledge with AI-enhanced skills. Employers increasingly emphasize skills-based hiring – where demonstrated competency outweighs formal degrees – particularly in cutting-edge areas like generative AI and cloud services.
Q: What advice would you give to professionals navigating this market?
Alex: For IT professionals today, adaptability and continuous learning are key. The market favors those who can demonstrate mastery in high-value skills and translate that expertise into business impact. Technical depth in AI, cloud, security, and data, combined with the ability to collaborate across functions, will create sustained opportunities even as generalist roles fluctuate.
Understanding trends in job postings and skill demand – for example, through tools like role and skill analytics – helps professionals make informed decisions about skill development and career direction.
Q: What do you see next for the IT labor market?
Alex: Looking forward, the market is likely to become more selective, specialized, and skills-driven. Companies will refine hiring strategies that emphasize workforce planning over reactive hiring, and professionals will need to align their skillsets with evolving demand. The balance between automation and human expertise will be central: AI tools will augment roles, but the core value of human insight – particularly in strategic tech functions – remains irreplaceable.