NJBIZ Looking Ahead 2026: Industry leaders share hiring outlook

As part of the NJBIZ Looking Ahead 2026 special feature, we asked industry leaders across New Jersey: How do you see the job market developing in 2026? Read the Letter from the Editor and other Q-and-A’s here.

Cannabis

Sam Brill
CEO, Ascend Wellness Holdings

The cannabis job market will continue to mature. We expect more professional and stable roles, particularly in retail, operations and compliance, as the industry increasingly resembles other mainstream consumer categories.

Scott Prisco
CEO, Priscotty

I’m highly optimistic about our business prospects for 2026. We built strong momentum throughout 2025 and closed the year on a high note, which has set us up well for what’s ahead. From a Priscotty perspective, everything is starting to come together — the people, the technology, the financing and the client base. What gives me the most confidence is that we didn’t just focus on generating demand in 2025; we focused on building the infrastructure needed to serve that demand properly. Having a strong pipeline is important, but being able to execute at a high level is what ultimately drives sustainable growth. With those foundations now in place, I’m excited about the opportunity to really accelerate in 2026.

Food/hospitality

Amanda Stone
Vice president of public affairs, NJ Restaurant and Hospitality Association

We anticipate the hospitality job market will remain competitive in 2026.

Health care

Debbie Hart
CEO, BioNJ

As a long-established biopharmaceutical hub with a deep talent pool and a collaborative ecosystem, the state is well positioned to build on its strong foundation and capture the next wave of growth. While some companies across the industry have announced workforce reductions, those developments are being offset by investments from companies choosing to locate, expand or scale operations in New Jersey. Importantly, a number of organizations have already committed to meaningful job creation over the next several years, reflecting confidence in the state’s infrastructure, workforce and innovation environment. Complementing these company-specific investments, workforce initiatives such as the Johnson & Johnson–supported NJBioFutures coalition are strengthening talent pipelines in critical areas like cell and gene therapy and advanced biomanufacturing, helping to ensure that employers can meet future hiring needs. Taken together, these commitments underscore sustained momentum in New Jersey’s biopharma sector. As we move toward 2026, we see a job market characterized by targeted growth positioning the state for long-term competitiveness and opportunity.

Brian Lawrence
CEO, FellowshipLIFE

For aging services, the job market will remain extremely tight. We’re facing a record number of retirees, accelerating demand, and a workforce that is not expanding fast enough to meet current or future needs. This will require creative workforce development, immigration strategies and long-term partnerships with educational institutions.

Michael Maron
CEO, Holy Name

Still tight. Painfully tight. The demographic cliff hasn’t changed. Nursing schools can’t replenish supply fast enough. Immigration policy is inconsistent. Salaries won’t go down. Organizations that don’t build their own workforce pipelines will get crushed.

Law

Christine Amalfe
President, New Jersey State Bar Association; partner, FBT Gibbons

Lawyers continue to be in steady demand. It’s a versatile profession with opportunities across a wide range of industries. Business activity, regulatory complexity, ongoing litigation — these all drive the need for legal services even during economic slowdowns. In 2026, it’s reasonable to predict at least modest growth, roughly in line with comparable occupations. We are also happy to report that the judicial vacancy issue that has plagued New Jersey courts and litigants has improved, and we expect to see cases move on the court’s dockets at a faster pace in 2026.

William Barrett
CEO, Mandelbaum Barrett

We are cautiously optimistic about the job market in 2026, particularly for firms and businesses focused on strategic, long-term growth. While hiring will likely remain selective, there continues to be strong demand for experienced professionals as clients navigate regulatory complexity, expansion and succession planning. Our recent expansion into Connecticut reflects that outlook. It was driven by client demand, strong regional market fundamentals and a long-term strategy to deepen our bench in markets aligned with our clients’ evolving needs.

Money

George Destafney
Executive vice president and chief commercial real estate officer, OceanFirst Bank

The job market should be remarkably steady in 2026 based on projections, with continued strong demand in health care, technology, professional services; and technology likely complements the career employment opportunities and growth that is possible in the coming year and future. I would not expect outsized hiring as larger employers have solid work forces that they will maintain, and I would also not expect giant reductions in force as productivity remains even.

Public relations

April Mason
President, Violet PR

The PR industry has changed significantly over the past decade, and that pace of change is only accelerating. For new graduates, it is critical to bring a broader and more diverse skill set to the table. Today’s most valuable communicators are those who can move quickly and work in real time, using multimedia and technology to solve problems as they arise. That includes creating design assets in tools like Canva, amplifying coverage through social media channels, and using AI thoughtfully and strategically. In a rapidly evolving economy, the people who know how to figure things out and take initiative, rather than waiting to be told what to do, will stand out the most. At the same time, the speed of the market means younger professionals are often pulled in many directions early in their careers. Ensuring they have the right tools, mentorship, and strategic grounding will be critical to helping them succeed and grow. For more experienced professionals, the competitive landscape places renewed importance on visibility and relationships. Building and maintaining a strong personal brand, investing in in-person networks and being known for a clear point of view or area of expertise will be critical for career growth.

Real estate

David Greek
Managing partner, Greek Real Estate Partners

The job market should remain tight, particularly in industries that rely on large workforces. Labor availability and rising labor costs remain structural challenges, especially in New Jersey, and those pressures are unlikely to ease meaningfully in the near term. As a result, companies that can automate operations and reduce long-term labor needs will be better positioned, while labor-intensive businesses will continue to face constraints.

Bill Hassan
Executive vice president, CBRE

The data center industry will continue to see job growth. Particularly for the trades that will remain both recession proof and AI proof industries.

Alex Kachris
Senior research manager, JLL Northeast Industrial

Industrial occupiers will likely continue to ramp up automation efforts within warehouses. While this may reduce demand for some traditional warehouse jobs, automation often creates new technical positions and can increase overall facility throughput, potentially requiring more specialized staff overall. We have also seen an increase in demand for manufacturing facilities and specialty-use warehouses. The net effect will likely favor skilled technical workers while limiting the growth for pick/pack workers.