In this article, we highlight which roles and industries will be hiring in 2026
Fractional and project-based roles are becoming the preferred choice for many employers, even offering them to permanent staff via internal gigs, as previously reported by The Freelance Informer.
As of late 2025, permanent hiring remained cautious, with total vacancies stabilised at approximately 729,000. However, the real growth is in the flexible sector, with 39% of tech employers planning to boost their use of contractors to manage rapid digital changes.
Which industries will create the lion’s share of vacancies?
Green energy and infrastructure are set to take centre stage in recruitment in 2026. Net Zero targets are creating a massive wave of work. From upgrading the national grid to building new solar farms, investment in clean power is driving a surge in technical roles.
Construction is also seeing a steady rise. For many of these projects, hiring contractors is the only way for firms to find niche skills quickly. While many businesses face rising electricity costs due to grid upgrades, they are investing heavily in onsite generation, creating long-term project work for energy engineers throughout 2026.
Creative freelancers and the human premium
Despite most large employers aiming to become, in some shape or form, agentic enterprises, the value of a human touch has still skyrocketed. For 2026, experienced UK copywriters are seeing average day rates of £480, with specialists in high-demand areas charging up to £800.
Freelance journalists and videographers are also seeing a resurgence. The explosion of social video means freelance videographers are averaging around £550 per day. Meanwhile, companies are moving toward humanised, authentic content to build trust and engagement that software simply cannot replicate.
Project managers and strategists are proving resilient
The Project Manager has become one of the most resilient roles across a wide range of sectors, given the increased demand. Demand is high for those who can deliver results quickly. Freelance project managers in the UK earn an average of £410 per day, while senior programme managers can see rates as high as £738.
Similarly, marketing strategists are being brought in earlier to guide business growth. Modern UK marketing strategists typically earn between £347 and £788 per day, depending on their ability to integrate data analytics with creative branding.
Easier hiring rules for smaller businesses
A major change coming in April 2026 will make hiring much smoother. The government is raising the small company threshold for IR35 tax rules, meaning thousands of additional firms will no longer have to deal with the heavy admin of determining a contractor’s tax status.
This change, combined with the increase in Employer National Insurance to 15%, makes hiring a specialist for a six-month project much more attractive than a permanent salary.
However, candidates will also have to factor in that employers will want skilled workers who can use AI tools to boost productivity. Therefore, project-based rates versus hourly ones will be in the candidate’s best interest.