Recruiting Statistics 2026: Cost, Speed, AI and Staffing Data

Data as of November 2026. Sources: SHRM benchmarking reports (2025 and 2026), SmartRecruiters, Gem, Ashby, Employ, Greenhouse, Sterling, LinkedIn, BLS, Staffing Industry Analysts and the American Staffing Association. Each figure keeps its own definition and date; we do not blend sources.

What does recruiting cost in 2026?

The headline SHRM average is $5,475 per nonexecutive hire and $35,879 per executive hire, but SHRM’s newest report switched to medians, which are far lower. Both are correct; they answer different questions. See cost per hire for the full breakdown.

Cost is only the visible part. For the cost of getting a hire wrong, see our breakdown of the cost of a bad hire, and to run your own number use the cost per hire calculator.

How long does hiring take in 2026?

Most major datasets land between 38 and 46 days, depending on where the clock starts and which roles are counted. Time to fill starts at the open requisition and time to hire starts when the eventual hire applies, so time to fill runs longer. Full stage by stage detail is in our time to hire guide.

How many applications does each job get now?

Far more than a few years ago. Greenhouse’s data shows applications per job rising from 116 in 2022 to 244 in 2025, and Employ’s customers saw 207.2 rise to 257.6 in one year, per a compilation by MSH (October 2026). Ashby reports applications per hire have tripled since 2021 and Gem reports applications up 93%.

Slow hiring costs candidates too. In a 2022 Sterling survey of 3,777 job seekers across 13 countries, 26% withdrew from their last hiring process and a slow process was the top reason, cited by 39%.

How much are recruiters using AI?

Between about a quarter and three quarters of US employers use AI in hiring, depending on the survey, and most talent leaders plan to use more of it in 2026.

The adoption range is wide because surveys ask different people different questions; our AI in hiring statistics page explains each one. For the interview step see AI interview statistics, and for what the software costs see the AI tax tracker: 58% of the 1,229 tools we review document AI, and 26% of those charge extra for some of it.

What does the labor market look like?

Soft. Job growth slowed to 29,000 in September 2026 and unemployment rose to 4.2%, though openings are slightly up on a year earlier.

For the staffing side, including SIA’s $183.1 billion forecast, see staffing industry statistics. Monthly context is in the Staffing Market Brief, and our list of labor market data trackers shows where to follow these numbers yourself.

Which recruiting software do employers actually use?

Our ATS market share study checked the careers page of every S&P 500 company to see which applicant tracking system each one runs. For pricing, the recruiting software pricing statistics tracker counts what tools charge and how many hide the price, and the MCP tracker counts how many ship a first party MCP server. All three read live from the Work Insiders directory.

What this means for recruiters

Most of the time and money sits after the first screen, so that is where to look first: interview loops, debriefs and offer approvals. Measure your own cost per hire and time to hire on one written definition, report medians next to averages, and only then compare yourself with a benchmark.

How we built this page

This is a hub, so every figure links to a deeper guide or to the publisher. SHRM numbers come from SHRM’s own October 15, 2025 press release and the 2026 benchmarking brief, as read for our cost per hire and time to hire guides. Application volume figures are from MSH’s October 2026 compilation of Greenhouse and Employ data. Labor market figures are BLS data. Platform benchmarks come from vendors’ own customers, so they reflect those customers, not all employers. Definitions of terms are in our recruiting glossary. Corrections go to support@workinsiders.com.

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