The Talivity Talent Market Index

Finance & Operations and Healthcare remain the most competitive segments in the Index. Finance & Operations is up nearly 19% month over month and 154% year over year, despite falling job postings — pointing to a shift toward higher-value analytical and advisory roles rather than hiring volume. Healthcare sits above a 2.0 TMI score, up 6.85% month over month and 78% year over year, driven by workforce shortages, an aging population, and expanding care settings.

Across both, employers are paying a premium for experienced talent where supply is tight and business impact is high.

Retail was the standout mover this period, up 33.12% month over month with cost pressures continuing to climb even after already elevated levels. Transportation & Logistics moved in the opposite direction, cooling to -9.47% month over month while still elevated at 48% year over year. Food Services also continued to rise, up near 27% month over month.

Sales is up more than 140% year over year, reflecting continued investment in revenue-generating talent even as broader hiring slows. Retail is up more than 270% year over year, pointing to sustained wage pressure and competition for frontline workers. Food Services is also up sharply, rising 126% year over year. Light Industrial rose 183.33% year over year, benefiting from improved labor supply but still commanding higher pay than historically typical.

The key takeaway is that while hiring activity may be slowing in certain areas, talent acquisition leaders shouldn't confuse lower hiring volume with less expensive hiring conditions. In many cases, the opposite is true — organizations are hiring fewer people, but for more specialized, higher-value roles.

That means competition remains intense, compensation remains elevated, and employers still need a strong recruiting and employer brand strategy to compete. So while the economy may be cooling in some areas, the talent market is still demanding a premium for the skills organizations need most.