Quantum Technology Workforce Monitoring Report: January 5, 2026

December sees volume decline, highlighting sector volatility

The quantum technology job market continued to face challenges in December 2025. The preliminary report indicates a global decline of 10.9% in new job postings compared to November. While Europe reported a slight increase of 2.2%, North America experienced a more modest decline of 2.5%. The most significant setback occurred across the Rest of the World, where postings plummeted by 60.6% (see Table 1 below).

This decline follows a particularly difficult November. The final report from that month revealed a global decrease in job postings by 19.3%. Europe saw a notable drop of 27.4%, North America experienced a decrease of 24.3%, while the Rest of the World had an unexpected increase of 37.0% (see Table 2 below).

In the context of the trailing 12-month counts of new job postings, December 2025 shows a marginal global increase of 0.8%. Europe recorded a growth of 0.5%, North America reflected a more positive trend at 1.6%, but the Rest of the World experienced a slight decrease of 0.3% (see Table 3 below).

The discrepancy between the month-to-month changes presented in Table 1 and the 12-month figures in Table 3 illustrates the volatility inherent in the job market. Monthly data can fluctuate significantly due to a variety of factors, including seasonal hiring cycles and economic conditions, whereas the trailing 12-month statistics tend to provide a more stable perspective, smoothing out the short-term variances.

For example, while a 10.9% decline in December may appear concerning, it must be contextualized within the broader, more nuanced view of job market trends. The modest increase of 0.8% over the past 12 months suggests that, despite recent fluctuations, there may be resilience in the long-term job landscape.

This persistent volatility highlights the necessity for strategic talent management and adaptable hiring practices in the quantum technology sector. While the sharp declines in certain regions raise concerns, the positive trends in specific areas point to potential opportunities that may be instrumental for HR professionals and hiring managers seeking to attract top talent in a rapidly evolving market.

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 February 5, 2026.