What Is the Average Time To Hire in 2026?

A recent survey found that over 75% of organizations are still struggling to find full-time workers for important roles. This situation can make it hard for your company to reach its goals and improve efficiency, and sometimes it puts your cybersecurity at risk. Average time-to-hire is one of the most important recruitment metrics to track in 2026.

Key Takeaways:

• The average time to hire in 2026 is 24–30 days. Most organizations complete the hiring process in about one month, from initial candidate screening to offer acceptance.
• Average time to fill a position is approximately 45 days.  Time-to-fill remains longer than time-to-hire because it includes sourcing, job approvals, and posting delays.
• Time-to-hire and time-to-fill measure different stages of recruitment. Time-to-hire tracks candidate selection speed, while time-to-fill reflects the full lifecycle of opening and closing a role.
• Industry and role complexity significantly affect hiring timelines. Highly technical, regulated, or executive roles often require additional assessments, extending the hiring process.
• Reducing time-to-hire requires process efficiency—not lower standards. Streamlined screening, proactive recruiting, and specialized hiring support shorten timelines while preserving candidate quality.

WHAT IS THE AVERAGE TIME TO FILL A POSITION?

In 2026, the average time-to-fill is about 45 days, according to data from HR industry leader SHRM. Interestingly, this statistic is the same for both executive and standard roles. Just a few years ago, it took organizations nearly 60 days to fill executive positions, so current trends mark a significant difference.

WHAT IS THE AVERAGE TIME-TO-HIRE?

On average, it takes organizations about a month to hire new workers. Several recent data sources put the range at 24 to 30 days. Across the board, recruitment is less challenging than it was a few years ago.

You can also break down the time-to-hire metric by category:

• Posting job opening to receiving applications: One to five days
• Screening applications: Seven or eight days
• Interviewing candidates: Eight days
• Making the final decision: Four to five days
• Waiting for the candidate to accept: Two to four days

It can take longer to recruit skilled candidates in certain industries. The more competition you have, the longer it takes to fill positions. In 2026, the demand is high for qualified healthcare professionals at every level, from frontline workers to HIPAA compliance experts.

WHAT FACTORS AFFECT TIME-TO-HIRE METRICS?

Several factors influence the time it takes your organization to recruit high-quality candidates, such as the specific role and the pool of available talent in your area. Complexities in the recruitment process itself can also add days or weeks to the process.

For example, when hiring for IT roles, it’s necessary to perform a technical assessment to make sure the applicant has the required skills for the job. In some industries, you need to verify certifications or run background checks.

The average time-to-hire varies significantly by industry in 2026:

• IT: 25 to 40 days
• Professional services: 45 to 47 days
• Engineering, Energy, and Defense: 60+ days
• Marketing: 20 days
• Retail: 14 days
• Financial: 20 to 60 days
• Transportation: 16 to 20 days

The size of your organization also matters when it comes to hiring. Enterprises with more than 5,000 employees are struggling the most because of competition, lower supply, and elevated demand for workers in general.

HOW CAN YOU REDUCE YOUR TIME-TO-HIRE?

One of the best ways to reduce your average time-to-hire is to outsource the process to a recruitment agency, especially for technical roles. Never sacrifice candidate quality to fill a position. 

Recruit actively and create a hiring plan; don’t just wait for applications to appear. Connect with professionals on social media and look for internal upskill opportunities.

STREAMLINE YOUR AVERAGE TIME-TO-HIRE FOR IT

Hiring experts know how to filter low-value applications quickly. At TSP, we specialize in IT recruitment for organizations of every size. Our team can help with any or all stages of the hiring process, including competitive employment offers, screening, and interviews.

Reduce your time-to-hire average with cutting-edge workforce solutions that give you access to a broad pool of qualified candidates. Contact us today.