Secrets of Staffing Success [Stage] An Economist's Forecast of the 2026 Labor Market (with Noah Yosif)
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Jan 19, 2026 
Noah Yosif, Chief Economist and Head of Research at the American Staffing Association, breaks down 2026 labor market forces. He discusses AI’s task shifts and rising blue‑collar demand. He explains immigration’s hidden effects, policy influences on hiring, and why staffing should pivot to advisory and new revenue models.
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Hiring Is Harder Than It Looks
- Staffing firms now must work much harder to win orders than they did three to four years ago.
- Inflation and higher interest rates raised employers' cost of hiring, increasing their reluctance to add payrolls.
Demand Concentrates In Two Pockets
- Most employers currently are not looking to hire beyond critical backfills.
- Exceptions include high-turnover sectors like healthcare and AI-driven demand for technical talent.
AI Could Boost Blue-Collar Demand
- About 40% of temporary workers are in production or transportation roles, shielding staffing from some AI disruption.
- As AI shifts tasks, demand may move toward blue-collar and physical tasks over five to ten years.
