Heading into 2026, the economic outlook for the IT industry is mixed. Tech layoffs are lower year-over-year, and the tech unemployment rate remains below the national average.
Still, many in the industry feel uncertain about what’s ahead. Tech workers are more worried about job security than professionals in any other field, and salaries have largely stagnated, rising just 0.8% compared to 2025.
Even with these challenges, the tech industry remains one of the highest-paying sectors in the US economy. Companies nationwide continue to prioritize investments in critical areas such as cybersecurity, software, and data.
Below are the most significant trends impacting the tech industry, along with the five highest-paying jobs in tech in 2026.
Top Trends Impacting the Tech Industry in 2026
Artificial Intelligence Transforming the Entire IT Industry
As detailed in Motion Recruitment’s 2026 Tech Salary Guide, Artificial Intelligence has made the single biggest impact on tech salaries over the past few years. Across every area of the IT industry, AI has dominated both the conversation and job descriptions for much of the decade.
Data center investments reached $40 billion in the first half of 2025 alone, with major players like Amazon, Google, and Meta leading the way in spending. These companies are looking to agentic AI as the next stage in this technology’s evolution, aiming to boost productivity and efficiency while reducing costs.
The robotics industry is already seeing the positive effects of AI, enabling robots to move beyond repetitive, pre-programmed tasks and toward adaptive, autonomous decision-making. Computer vision and machine learning enable robots to navigate complex environments, such as warehouses and hospitals, while reinforcement learning accelerates training cycles in simulation before deployment.
Other areas, such as software development, are also seeing the impact of AI tools, particularly for entry-level workers, where unemployment rates have increased. One explanation is that AI tools are taking over basic tasks that were once performed by early-career tech professionals.
Top Available Tech Jobs in North America
Tech Workers Should Prioritize Networking
In a tech job market where hiring has slowed in many areas, leveraging your professional network can make all the difference between finding a new role and receiving an automated rejection. Reaching out to former colleagues, industry peers, and mentors for referrals or advice can significantly increase your chances of landing an interview: 40% of referred applicants make it to the interview stage, and 16% receive an offer.
Networking opportunities are everywhere. Build your connections online by engaging in meaningful discussions on social and tech forums, or join webinars, local meetups, and Tech in Motion workshops focused on emerging trends in technology.
Tech Workers Look to Grow Their Skillset…While Working from Home
When asked why they considered changing employers, tech workers most commonly cited higher compensation, with 43% naming it as their top reason. The second most common answer was a tie between a lack of training, growth/development, and remote/hybrid work options, all at 35%.
A growing disconnect persists between employers and tech workers regarding returning to the office full-time. RTO mandates remain unpopular among tech employees, yet more companies are requiring them, citing collaboration and culture as the reasons. For some organizations that overhired earlier in the decade, mandating in-office work has become a way to reduce headcount without offering severance or publicly announcing layoffs.
Training and upskilling, particularly in AI, remain top priorities for both tech workers and company leaders but are difficult to access. Whether due to budget constraints or limited knowledge, over one-third of businesses still lack AI policies, and only 23% plan to use tech advancements to support the professional development of employees.
Top Five Highest Paying Tech Salaries for 2026
These salary averages come from Motion Recruitment's 2026 Tech Salary Guide, based on real market data from thousands of jobs across major North American cities. The figures below represent starting salary ranges for each role and reflect base compensation only, excluding bonuses, equity, and benefits. Salaries may vary depending on factors such as company size, industry, and organizational structure.
Highest Paying Senior Level Tech Roles
Computer Vision Engineer: $175,468 – $220,890
Machine Learning Engineer: $168,076 – $220,560
LLM Developer: $162,826 – $209,130
.NET Architect: $147,743 – $205,600
RTE/Release Train Engineer: $176,022 – $203,360
Highest Paying Mid-Level Tech Roles
AI Engineer: $149,923 – $192,884
Machine Learning Engineer: $149,136 – $192,044
DevSecOps Engineer: $149,736 – $182,894
Platform Engineer: $145,900 – $180,500
Robotics Engineer: $111,550 – $178,333
