The quantum technology job market showed signs of revival in January 2026, with the preliminary report indicating a global increase of 3.9% in new job postings compared to December. This upward trend was primarily driven by North America, which experienced a notable growth of 9.1%. Meanwhile, the Rest of the World posted an impressive increase of 27.8%. However, Europe faced a decline of 4.4% in new job postings (see Table 1 below).
The prior month illustrated a more challenging landscape; the final report for December 2025 revealed a global decline of 7.5%. Europe had a moderate increase of 5.8%, while North America saw only a slight uptick of 0.2%. The Rest of the World encountered a severe downturn, with job postings dropping by 56.1% (see Table 2 below).
When examining the trailing 12-month count of new job postings (see Table 3 below), January 2026 reflects a decline of 1.6% globally. Europe reported a decrease of 2.1%, while North America experienced a more modest decline of 0.5%. The Rest of the World saw a drop of 3.6%.
The contrasts between the month-to-month changes presented in Table 1 and the 12-month figures in Table 3 highlight the job market’s volatility. Monthly data often reflects immediate economic conditions, hiring cycles, and seasonal factors, whereas the trailing 12-month statistics provide a more stable view, filtering out short-term fluctuations.
For instance, the 3.9% increase in January, while encouraging, must be contextualized within the perspective of a 1.6% decline over the past year. This situation illustrates the necessity for stakeholders to adopt strategic hiring practices that adapt to both short-term challenges and long-term trends.
Overall, the mixed signals from the data emphasize the importance of agile workforce management within the quantum technology sector. While North America’s performance suggests potential opportunities for talent acquisition, the challenges faced in Europe and the Rest of the World warrant caution and strategic planning by HR professionals and hiring managers.
| Region | M/M Change |
|---|---|
| GLOBAL | 3.9% |
| EUROPE | -4.4% |
| NORTH AMERICA | 9.1% |
| REST OF WORLD | 27.8% |
| *REPORTING MONTH: January 2026 |
| Region | M/M Change |
|---|---|
| GLOBAL | -7.5% |
| EUROPE | 5.8% |
| NORTH AMERICA | 0.2% |
| REST OF WORLD | -56.1% |
| *REPORTING MONTH: December 2025 |
| Region | M/M Change |
|---|---|
| GLOBAL | -1.6% |
| EUROPE | -2.1% |
| NORTH AMERICA | -0.5% |
| REST OF WORLD | -3.6% |
| *REPORTING MONTH: January 2026 |
The Quantum Technology Workforce Monitor Report compiles data from publicly announced job openings within the quantum technology sector. This report is published monthly on the QED-C Blog. The next update will be available after March 5, 2026.