Summary of Key Findings
The job market in the second quarter of 2026 exhibited a dual-driven pattern characterized by "new quality industries" and the service sector: Industries related to new quality productivity (such as robotics, new materials, AI, etc.) were the main drivers of increased talent demand, with the robotics industry experiencing the fastest growth in recruitment. The hard technology sector not only attracted highly educated individuals but also improved the employment quality of graduates, reshaping the competitive landscape of cities (new first-tier cities in the central and western regions have become hotspots for talent). At the same time, there was a significant increase in demand for labor in services such as elderly care and pet services, with universities adjusting their curricula to cultivate specialized talents to meet market needs.
I. New Quality Industries Lead Recruitment Growth, with Robotics Being the Fastest
Industries driven by new technology and equipment performed exceptionally well in the second quarter. The robotics industry saw a 38.4% year-on-year increase in job openings, the fastest growth among all new quality industries. The new materials sector also grew by 30.9%, with the optoelectronics industry (including chips and fibers) increasing by 20%, and the AI industry by 12.4%. Industries such as specialized equipment manufacturing and industrial automation also experienced growth rates exceeding 10%, indicating that the manufacturing sector is transitioning towards greater intelligence—e.g., using more robots to replace manual labor and automating production lines, which requires skilled professionals.
Additionally, AI has moved from the stage of model development to practical applications (such as in healthcare and education), driving demand for talent across the entire industry chain. The new energy and medical testing sectors also made it into the top 20 in terms of recruitment growth, although their growth rates were slower than those of robotics.
II. Hard Technology Sectors Attract Talents with Better Employment Opportunities
The new quality productivity sectors not only face a shortage of talent but also offer better compensation and career prospects. According to a report by MyCOS, graduates working in these fields enjoy higher employment quality compared to the average for their respective majors—both in terms of salary competitiveness and the alignment of job responsibilities with their skills (for example, automation graduates can apply their knowledge directly in robotics companies).
For instance, the electronics and electrical equipment manufacturing sector within advanced manufacturing has increased its recruitment of fresh undergraduates from 6.2% for the class of 2021 to 7.0% for the class of 2025, indicating a growing preference among graduates for hard technology industries. This reflects the increasing appeal of these sectors to highly educated individuals, as they can leverage their expertise while earning decent salaries.
III. Hard Technology Reshapes Urban Competitiveness; New First-Tier Cities in the Central and Western Regions Become Talent Attractions
The rise of hard technology companies has led to cities in the central and western regions (such as Hefei, Wuhan, and Chengdu) competing for talent. There are two main reasons why these cities are attractive:
1. Strong educational resources: These cities have many prestigious universities, such as Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan and University of Electronic Science and Technology of China in Chengdu, which provide a large pool of local talent.
2. Optimized business environments: Governments support the development of technology companies, fostering an innovative atmosphere that has led to the emergence of competitive tech firms (e.g., new energy companies in Hefei and optoelectronics companies in Wuhan), creating more job opportunities and retaining talent.
Previously, it was thought that only Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen offered excellent technology jobs, but now new first-tier cities in the central and western regions are also becoming viable options, changing the competitive landscape for talent.
IV. Growing Demand in the Service Sector; Elderly Care and Other Services Become New Employment Highlights
In addition to high-tech industries, several service sectors are seeing rapid recruitment growth. For example, the elderly care sector saw a 17% year-on-year increase in job openings due to the aging population. Pet services, hairdressing, beauty, and wellness industries are also experiencing growth.
To meet these demands, many universities (especially those focusing on early childhood education) have adjusted their curricula. For instance, Loudi Preschool Education College has introduced a major in "Smart Health Elderly Care Services and Management" and collaborated with nursing homes to establish practice bases. Xuzhou Preschool Education College focuses on the needs of both children and the elderly, integrating preschool education with health services. Guangzhou Preschool Education College has also added new programs related to elderly care to meet local healthcare demands. These programs are tailored to address specific market gaps and cultivate skilled professionals.
Conclusion
The changes in the job market in the second quarter reflect two trends in the Chinese economy:
1. High-tech industries (new quality productivity) are becoming the core drivers of economic growth, requiring a large number of technical talents.
2. Service sectors related to people's well-being (such as elderly care and pet services) are expanding rapidly due to increasing social demand. Whether looking for a job or choosing a major, these fields are worth considering as promising areas for career development.