2026 has already begun, bringing with it a new chapter for the tech industry. After several years marked by both acceleration and slowdown, it’s only natural to question what the year ahead will look like.
One thing, however, is certain: the decisions that shape careers in technology do not begin when the industry changes; they begin beforehand, in the hands of tech talent. The technologies people invest in, the projects they choose to take on, the companies they decide to work for and the way they negotiate their own value are all influenced by the information that already exists and by how the industry is analysed.
Rather than making absolute predictions, looking at 2026 means interpreting data and understanding how it translates into real opportunities for tech talent. This article brings together some of the topics worth paying attention to throughout the year. Not as definitive answers, but as points of reflection to support more informed decisions in an industry that continues (and will never stop) evolving.
A more stable tech industry, and also a more demanding one
After a period of high volatility, the latest data points to a gradual recovery of trust across the tech industry. Salary growth recorded in 2025, alongside higher talent retention, suggests that companies and professionals are entering a phase of greater alignment, even though within a cautious context.
Hiring remains active, but the turnover has eased. Companies are looking for less volume and more fit: professionals who can deliver real impact, demonstrate autonomy and solve concrete problems. For talent, this translates into an industry with less noise, but also clearer expectations and more defined criteria.
The key question for 2026 is therefore not whether the industry will grow or contract, but what kind of growth will actually exist. Are we moving towards a more sustainable and conscious tech industry?
The challenges facing tech roles
The snapshot of the tech industry in 2025 reveals an increasingly experienced and specialised workforce. Most tech professionals now have over six years of experience, and the most representative roles continue to be development-focused, particularly full-stack and backend.
At the same time, clear differences remain across areas, with few surprises. Data and emerging technology roles tend to attract younger professionals, while technical management, architecture and product roles show higher levels of experience. This contrast highlights an industry that values deep expertise but may also face challenges when it comes to renewing talent.
Salaries on the rise?
One of the most striking findings from last year was the return of salary growth in tech. After some years of stagnation, salaries increased more significantly once again.
However, this growth has not been uniform. Role, seniority, tech stack, company type and working models continue to influence compensation heavily. The market appears to have entered a more mature phase, where value is assessed in a more contextual and less generalised way.
For tech professionals, this means adjusting expectations. In 2026, salary negotiation is less about following broad trends and more about understanding specific patterns through real data.
Remote work and mobility
Remote work continues to establish itself as a structural characteristic of the tech industry. In 2025, fully remote models gained even more traction, while exclusively on-site work became less relevant.
That said, remote work is no longer a vague promise. Data shows a wider variety of hybrid models and increasingly clear rules, such as geographical restrictions or salary adjustments. Flexibility still exists, but it may now come with more strategic decision-making from companies.
The same applies to international mobility. More and more professionals are working for companies based in other countries without leaving their own, reinforcing the globalisation of tech work. These choices, however, have a direct impact on career progression, stability and compensation.
In 2026, the central question is how remote work models will continue to evolve. Are we heading towards a more mature and balanced form of flexibility, or towards increasingly constrained models?
The future is under construction
Data helps identify patterns, but it does not offer clear predictions. The evolution of AI, the redefinition of traditional roles and shifting expectations from both companies and professionals show that the tech industry remains in constant transformation.
If 2026 has already begun, it has also begun with more questions than certainties. And perhaps that is precisely what makes this moment so relevant: the need to interpret data, question trends, and make career decisions grounded in real information.
It is within this context that Landing.Jobs has an open survey for the next Tech Talent Trends Report. The goal is simple: to build an up-to-date and accurate picture of the tech industry, from the perspective of those who experience it every day.
If you work in tech, your experience can be part of this collective insight.
The survey is anonymous. Together, we are building the 2026 report created by the community, for the community, non-biased, so with no influence from any entity or company.
The report will provide you with the tools to understand your own industry, and, above all, to ensure you have the information you need to make the most important decisions in your career.
AIM FOR MORE!
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