New Dice Report Reveals Tech Professionals in Defensive Job Market Mode
MWN-AI** Summary
The recent Dice report, "The Defensive Job Market: Tech Sentiment in 2026," highlights a critical shift among tech professionals as they navigate a job market characterized by uncertainty. With over 1,000 survey participants, the findings reveal that 74% of tech workers plan to switch employers in the coming year, yet only 41% feel confident about securing a better position. The report indicates that burnout among employees has surged by nearly 50%, with 70% of those experiencing high burnout actively seeking new jobs.
Job stability is now the second most cited reason for leaving a company, demonstrating a shift in priorities toward security. Concurrently, daily AI usage has soared, but there's a prevalent belief (63%) among non-AI tech professionals that AI may be eliminating more jobs than it creates. The report observed that only 34% of individuals felt secure in their roles without the threat of layoffs, down from 56% in 2023, with 29% anticipating future cuts in their current positions.
Market data supports these sentiments, revealing reduced job postings in the tech sector, which currently stand at 575,000—significantly below pre-pandemic levels. The report warns of serious implications for employers as 82% of tech professionals reported applying to "ghost jobs," increasing frustration in the hiring process.
The report identifies women, Black tech workers, Gen X, and mid-career professionals as having the highest flight risk due to increased burnout and layoff fears. It emphasizes that employers must address topics like AI governance and job market transparency to attract and retain talent in this defensive job market climate. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for organizations aiming to enhance their hiring strategies amidst persistent market strains.
MWN-AI** Analysis
The latest Dice report, "The Defensive Job Market: Tech Sentiment in 2026," offers critical insights into the shifting landscape of the tech job market. With 74% of tech professionals planning to change jobs despite only 41% feeling optimistic about finding something better, we observe a workforce that is anxious rather than opportunistic.
Burnout has surged by nearly 50% among tech workers, indicating that emotional and mental fatigue is driving many to seek stability in their careers. This increase highlights the pressing need for employers to foster supportive environments and robust mental health resources to retain talent.
Investors and employers should take note: tech job postings have fallen to levels not seen since pre-pandemic 2019, effectively underlining a significant cooling in the tech sector. With 82% of professionals feeling they’ve applied for "ghost jobs" and 52% relegated to applying for roles beneath their skill sets, the competitive pressure is mounting. Tech companies that prioritize transparent hiring practices and meaningful job descriptions will likely find greater success in attracting the right candidates.
Moreover, the quadrupling of daily AI use alongside concerns that AI is eliminating jobs points to a pressing need for employers to develop clear AI governance policies. Not only do these policies mitigate the anxiety surrounding AI’s impact, but they can also serve as a key retention tool. In this environment, companies that articulate their AI strategies effectively may gain a substantial edge over their competitors.
Understanding the demographics of flight risk—particularly among underrepresented groups—should inform targeted retention strategies. Firms must maintain transparent communications about job stability and growth, fundamentally reshaping recruitment strategies to meet the evolved expectations of today’s tech workforce.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
74% Plan to Change Employers Despite Low Confidence; Burnout Increases by Nearly 50%, AI Use Quadruples as Market Continues its Shift
Dice (NYSE: DHX), a DHI Group, Inc. brand and the leading tech career marketplace, today released The Defensive Job Market: Tech Sentiment in 2026 , a comprehensive survey of over 1,000 U.S. tech professionals revealing a workforce caught in a defining paradox: high mobility driven by necessity, not opportunity.
True to Dice's commitment to transparency and reducing friction in the tech hiring market, this report delivers candid insights into the evolving dynamics between tech professionals and employers. By equipping the tech community with clear, actionable intelligence about workforce sentiment, Dice empowers all stakeholders to navigate today's market with confidence and make more informed decisions.
The research exposes unprecedented disconnects between movement and confidence, revealing a workforce repositioning defensively rather than opportunistically. Key findings include:
- 74% of tech professionals plan to change employers in the next year, yet only 41% feel confident they'll find something better
- There was a nearly 50% increase in those who reported feeling ”burnout” from 31% to 46%, with 70% of very burned-out professionals actively job searching
- Job stability climbed from #4 to #2 among reasons for switching employers, signaling that security has become a primary driver of career moves
- Daily AI use quadrupled, yet 63% of non-AI tech professionals believe AI eliminates more jobs than it creates
- Only 34% of tech professionals remain untouched by layoffs, down from 56% in 2023, with 29% expecting future cuts at their current employer
"What we're witnessing isn't the traditional desire to job-hop,” said Paul Farnsworth, President of Dice. "Tech professionals are moving to prioritize stability. This creates a unique challenge for employers: you have a highly mobile talent pool, but candidates are harder to close because they're moving due to anxiety, not optimism."
Market Data Confirms the Strain
Objective market data reinforces what the report’s sentiment findings already suggest: the tech job market has cooled significantly. Tech job postings currently stand at 575,000, according to the report’s analysis of Lightcast data. This is below even pre-pandemic 2019 levels and less than half the Q2 2022 peak of 1.3 million. This contraction explains why 88% of tech professionals believe employers currently hold more power in the market.
Beyond headline mobility numbers, the research reveals critical pressure points:
- 82% of tech professionals believe they applied to a "ghost job" (roles posted with no intention to hire) in the past year
- 52% applied for roles significantly below their skill level just to secure employment
- Long-term confidence in tech's growth dropped from 80% to 60%, with concern about decline nearly tripling
- Remote work surged from #7 to a top-three motivator for switching employers, while advancement opportunities became less influential.
AI Governance Emerges as Critical Retention Lever
Even as AI adoption accelerates, with 35% of tech professionals now responsible for designing, developing, or implementing AI solutions, AI governance remains a step behind. Only 47% report that their employer has introduced formal AI policies, and confidence varies sharply: 60% of AI professionals trust their employer’s responsible use of AI, compared with just 41% of other tech workers.
The governance gap drives risky behavior: 25% of tech professionals used AI without their manager's knowledge or approval. More critically, the data reveals AI governance as a retention factor. Tech professionals who are confident in their employer's responsible AI use are significantly less likely to leave.
"This research confirms what many suspected, but few had quantified: the tech workforce is under sustained, structural pressure," said Art Zeile, CEO of DHI Group, Inc. "By providing transparent data on burnout, mobility drivers, and AI's impact, we're equipping employers and staffing firms with the intelligence needed to compete effectively. Organizations that understand why candidates are moving will win placements their competitors miss."
Where Retention Risks Concentrate
The report identifies specific segments facing the highest flight risk: women, Black tech professionals, Gen X, mid-career workers (5-19 years of experience), and those at small companies. These groups report higher burnout, greater layoff concerns, and lower confidence in job stability. In contrast, Gen Z shows surprisingly low flight risk despite being earlier in their careers, raising questions about generational differences in risk tolerance and market expectations.
What This Moment Demands
Stability is now a baseline expectation for competitive hiring. Employers that communicate transparency around AI governance, maintain clear policies, demonstrate financial health, and acknowledge market strain are better positioned to attract talent. For staffing firms, understanding where leverage exists in the candidate pool creates an advantage in sourcing and placement strategy. The report also includes supplementary job market data analyzing salary trends, volume changes, and geographic variations across roles, skills, and regions to support strategic decision-making.
Methodology
This report draws on findings from a November-December 2025 survey of 1,159 U.S. tech professionals conducted by Dice. The research examined perspectives on the job market, economic and industry outlook, and the use and governance of AI in their work. The report also includes supplementary labor market analysis of over 7 million U.S. tech job postings, providing salary and demand trends by role, skill, and geography.
To access the full report, click here.
About Dice
Dice is a leading tech career hub connecting employers with skilled AI and technology professionals and providing tech professionals with career opportunities, data, insights and advice. Established in 1990, Dice began as one of the first career sites and today provides a comprehensive suite of recruiting solutions, empowering companies and recruiters to make informed hiring decisions. Dice serves multiple markets throughout North America. Dice is a DHI Group, Inc. (NYSE:DHX) brand.
About DHI Group, Inc.
DHI Group, Inc (NYSE: DHX) is a provider of AI-powered career marketplaces that focus on technology roles. DHI's two brands, Dice and ClearanceJobs, enable recruiters and hiring managers to efficiently search for and connect with highly skilled technology professionals based on the skills requested. The Company's patented algorithm manages over 100,000 unique technology skills. Additionally, our marketplaces allow tech professionals to find their ideal next career opportunity, with relevant advice and personalized insights. Learn more at www.dhigroupinc.com .
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260210614209/en/
Media Contact
dicepr@walkersands.com
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FAQ**
How does the current sentiment and mobility among tech professionals reported by Dice reflect the broader implications for DHI Group Inc. (NYSE: DHX) in maintaining its competitiveness in the tech job market?
Given the findings on burnout and the desire for job stability, how should DHI Group Inc. (DHX) adjust its strategic approach to connect with tech talent effectively?
In light of the survey indicating that many tech professionals fear AI will eliminate jobs, how can DHI Group Inc. (NYSE: DHX) leverage AI governance to enhance its brand perception among job seekers?
Considering the changing attitudes towards remote work and job security, what strategies can DHI Group Inc. (DHX) implement to attract and retain talent in this challenging market environment?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about DHI Group Inc. (NYSE: DHX).
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