What’s the Hiring Forecast for 2025? (Spoiler: It’s Complicated)

Heather Gardner
Jun 24
4 min read

If 2024 was the year of hiring whiplash, 2025 is all about finding our footing. Some industries are hiring like crazy, others are playing it cool, and AI is poking its robot nose into everything. So what does that mean for jobs the rest of the year?

Let’s break it down—industry by industry—with just enough data to make you sound smart at brunch.

💻 Tech: Is It Hot or Not?

If you're an entry-level software engineer... sorry, you might need to get in line behind ChatGPT. Big Tech has cut junior jobs by over 50% since the good old pre-pandemic days. Why? AI and automation are doing more heavy lifting—and fewer companies want to train newbies.

But don’t panic. There’s a major upswing in demand for senior and specialized roles, especially in areas like:

AI & Automation: AI spending is surging; Gartner forecasts a ~29% CAGR through 2028. Roles like AI engineers, prompt engineers, and infrastructure specialists are hot.
Cybersecurity: With roughly 3.5 million unfilled global job openings, demand is strong. US salaries start around $138K, with 10–12% annual growth
Cloud & DevOps: Cloud-related job postings grew ~14% YoY, competitive in hybrids like AWS, Azure, Google Cloud .
Entry-Level Challenges: Junior software and IT roles are down ~50% vs 2019; internships no longer guarantee roles

Forecast Summary

Role	Outlook
AI/ML Engineers	🚀 Very Strong
Cybersecurity Specialists	🚀 Strong
Cloud & DevOps	🟢 Strong
Product, UX/UI	🔄 Stable / Softening
Entry-Level Engineers	🔻 Weak

Tips for Employers: Upskill teams in AI/cloud, hire project-based/fractional talent, and prioritize portfolios over credentials.

Advice for Job Seekers: Earn certifications (AI-900, AWS, Security+), build demo projects, and pursue freelance or fractional roles to gain traction.

⚖️ Legal: The Calm Before the Clause

The legal industry’s hiring has been a little... reserved. Many firms are keeping things steady after a profitable 2024. That said, mid to late 2025 looks better, especially for experienced attorneys and specialists.

So if you're a junior lawyer waiting for the partner pipeline to open, hang in there—your time may come right after summer (and the firm retreat).

🏗️ Construction: Build It and They Will… Beg You to Work

Construction is booming. Between public works, data centers, and solar projects, contractors can’t find enough workers. Seriously—80% of firms say they’re short-handed, and 88% expect it to stay that way.

So if you’ve got skills (or are willing to learn), this is your moment. Project bids increasing ~5%, with military (+56%), hotel (+28%), and retail (+25%) all growing

What’s hot?

Skilled trades (electricians, masons, machine operators)
Project managers (the people who actually get stuff done on time)
Tech-forward folks who can work drones and digital blueprints

Yes, you may still get sweaty. No, it doesn’t pay like it’s 1992 anymore.

📊 Accounting & Finance: Boring? Maybe. Hiring? Definitely.

Accounting might not be flashy, but it's solid. The industry is desperately trying to replace aging CPAs (fun fact: 75% are nearing retirement age). Meanwhile, automation is shaking up the old spreadsheet ways, so if you’ve got tech skills in finance? Even better.

Demand is up for:

Financial analysts
Auditors
AI-literate accountants (because spreadsheets now come with algorithms)

Translation: Your calculator still works—just make sure it knows Python.

🏭 Manufacturing: Not Your Grandpa’s Factory Floor

Manufacturing isn’t all smokestacks and conveyor belts anymore. It’s gone digital, and they’re hiring for high-tech roles like robotics techs, automation engineers, and logistics specialists.

But there's a catch: There aren’t enough people. Over 1.9 million jobs may go unfilled by 2034 if trends continue.

So if you're good with tech and like building stuff (or watching machines build stuff), the opportunities are wide open.

🚀 Startups: A Cautious Comeback

Startups are like your spontaneous friend who just maybe maxed out their credit card. They’re trying to be responsible in 2025—spending slower, hiring smarter, and saying “no” to bloated teams.

What's in demand:

Fractional execs (part-time experts)
Freelancers and contractors
People with niche skills who can do more with less

If you're looking for a traditional 9-to-5 startup job with snacks and a ping-pong table? Might wanna wait until fall.

🌱 Green Energy & Quantum Tech: The Cool Kids

If you're into saving the planet or building quantum computers (or just like sounding fancy), you’re in luck.

Green jobs—from solar to wind to sustainability analysis—are growing fast.

Quantum tech and AI research are also taking off—just make sure you’ve got a PhD... or at least know what a qubit is.

This space is niche but booming, especially for those with hardcore science degrees or passion projects in clean tech.

🧠 Big Trends You Should Know

AI is replacing some jobs—especially repetitive or junior roles.
Specialists are in demand—generalists are nice, but niche skills pay.
Hiring is shifting to skills-based—Certs > Degrees (in many cases).
Remote work is plateauing—Hybrid is still king, but full-remote? Less hot.
Public infrastructure and AI are the big job creators—thank you, government and robots.

🔚 TL;DR – Industry Forecast

Industry	2025 Outlook
Tech	🟢 Specialists = Hot; Entry = Not
Legal	🟡 Slow start, better later
Construction	🔥 Hiring all day long
Accounting/Finance	🔵 Strong & steady
Manufacturing	🟢 Digitally-driven demand
Startups	🟡 Smart hiring, late 2025 heat
Green/Quantum	🚀 Niche, smart, future-ready

So... What Should You Do?

If you’re job hunting:

Upskill. AI, cybersecurity, cloud, green tech—take a class, get certified.
Freelance or contract roles can open doors (and keep rent paid).
Build a project portfolio. Show what you can do, not just what you’ve done.

If you're hiring:

Focus on specialists, not generalists.
Embrace remote flexibility and modern work perks.
Build partnerships with training orgs—because there’s not enough talent to go around.

Final Thoughts

2025’s hiring forecast isn’t perfect sunshine—but it’s not a storm either. It’s more like spring in San Francisco: foggy in the morning, bright in the afternoon, and always a little unpredictable.

If you lean into the change, upskill where it counts, and stay flexible? You’ll be just fine.