Indeed's latest job-posting data offers an encouraging national signal, but technology hiring remains weak. Founders and candidates need to read both parts before changing their expectations.
In its September 24 U.S. labor market snapshot, Indeed reported that postings were up 0.7% year over year as of September 18. It described that as the first positive annual reading in almost four years.
The September chartbook puts the Job Postings Index at 103.5, or 3.5% above its February 1, 2020 baseline, and 1.5% above the previous month. This is a seasonally adjusted measure of postings on a given day, using a seven-day trailing average. It measures advertised opportunities, not completed hires.
Fresh postings tell a different part of the story. The index for listings live for seven days or fewer was 94.0, about 6% below its pre-pandemic baseline. Meanwhile, 60% of occupational sectors were above baseline, compared with 51% at the beginning of June. The improvement is becoming broader, but it is not uniform.
Indeed says technology postings remain depressed, despite improving from last year's lows. Its national rebound should therefore not be treated as proof that software hiring has recovered, or that a particular AI skill has become harder to recruit for.
Pay also has its own measurement window. Advertised wages rose 2.5% over the year ending August. Indeed measures changes in advertised wages and salaries while controlling for job title. The three-month moving average for higher-paying occupations rose from 2.0% in January to 2.6% in August, while the low- and middle-wage groups moved sideways. Those groups are not a software salary benchmark.
For a founder, compare the occupation and location you are hiring in before changing pay or interview strategy. For a candidate, watch fresh postings, specific salary bands and the interviews you are actually getting. A national index gives context. It cannot replace evidence about the role you want.
