Headlines swing between “tech hiring is frozen” and “tech is still hiring.” The reality is messier: the tech job market isn’t collapsing, but it’s not the free-for-all of 2021 either. It’s maturing. Salaries are still strong for in-demand skills, but the bar is higher, and employers are pickier. Understanding the shift helps whether you’re hiring or job-seeking. Here’s what’s going on.
From Boom to Correction
During the pandemic boom, tech hiring went into overdrive. Remote work, low interest rates, and a rush to digitise sent demand for developers, product people, and data roles through the roof. Layoffs in 2022–2024 corrected that. Companies cut fat, killed speculative projects, and refocused on profitability. The result isn’t “no jobs” — it’s fewer open roles per company and more scrutiny on each hire. The market cooled from white-hot to warm. That’s maturation, not collapse.
Where Demand Still Runs Hot
AI/ML, security, and platform/infra roles are still in strong demand. So are senior and staff-level engineers who can own systems end-to-end. What’s softer is generic “we’re scaling the team” hiring and junior roles that don’t have a clear path to productivity. The market is differentiating: it rewards specificity and depth. If you’re job-seeking, doubling down on a clear niche (e.g. ML ops, backend for scale, or security) often beats being a generalist when the market is selective.
What Employers Want Now
Efficiency. They want people who can ship, who need less hand-holding, and who fit a clear need. That doesn’t mean only senior hires — but it does mean that “we’ll figure it out when they start” is less common. Job descriptions are more specific; interview processes are longer. The market has shifted power back toward employers compared with 2021, but good candidates still have leverage. The difference is you have to prove fit more clearly.
Remote and Location
Remote work is here to stay for many roles, but “remote-first” and “we’ll hire anywhere” have been dialled back at some companies. Hybrid and location-tied roles are more common again. If you’re looking, flexibility on location can open or close a lot of doors. If you’re hiring, being clear about remote vs on-site avoids mismatches later. The market is still figuring out the new equilibrium.
Bottom Line
The tech job market isn’t cooling into a wasteland — it’s maturing. Fewer irrational offers, more focus on fit and impact. For job-seekers: sharpen your story, lean into demand areas, and be ready to show what you’ve shipped. For employers: the best people still have options; a mature market rewards clarity and good process. It’s not doom, and it’s not 2021. It’s the new normal.
