Seek reveals the 10 most in-demand jobs in 2026

Seek NZ's Employment Report has identified the top 10 in-demand jobs for 2026. Automation engineer saw the largest growth at 184.8%, followed by salesperson at 145.5%. The top 10 list is dominated by trades and construction roles, reflecting ongoing workforce needs in housing and infrastructure. The job market is characterized as being grounded in practical, skilled work while shifting towards a more technology-enabled future. Job ad volumes continued to grow, rising 0.8% in March on a monthly basis and 13% year on year. The construction industry recorded the largest annual rise at 36%, and demand for AI skills has grown exponentially, with AI references in job ads up 143.5% since March 2025.