Logistics and distribution recorded the third sharpest hiring accelerations of any UK sector in Q2 2026, according to the latest quarterly job market analysis from CV-LIBRARY one of the UK’s largest job boards.
The sector’s momentum jumped 35.5% from the month of May and 32.5% year-on-year, a clear signal that supply chain hiring is ramping up fast as the UK’s broader hiring rebound looks to take hold.
The number of job postings was up 16.5% quarter-on-quarter (from 65,806 to 76,639) and 17.3% year-on-year – comfortably outpacing the UK-wide average growth of 6.7% YoY.
Driver recruitment is central to that growth. The number of vacancies for Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver roles, one of the UK’s most in-demand logistics titles, rose 20.8% quarter-on-quarter from 25,177 and 10.2% year-on-year to 30,421 – with June alone accounting for a 35.4% month-on-month jump (up from 10,244).
This comes against a backdrop of a broader hiring surge. UK job postings across all sectors rose 21% in June alone, taking overall vacancies to their highest level since October 2023, after a slower start to the quarter. This reflects real, live vacancy activity rather than recruiter sentiment. That momentum corresponds with hiring intentions reported in CV-Library’s survey of UK employers, with more than half (51%) saying they expect headcount to grow over the next six months.
However, cost pressures remain a challenge for logistics employers navigating this growth. While average advertised salaries grew just 2.28% year-on-year across the market, 62% of businesses report the overall cost of employing staff has risen over the past year – with the increase in National Insurance cited as the single biggest driver (19%).
Hiring is also getting harder, with half of businesses saying finding the right candidates is tougher than 12 months ago, with a shortage of candidates with the most relevant skills – a familiar challenge with the logistics and distribution sector.
Lee Biggins, CEO and Founder of CV-Library said:
“After a positive start to the year, with job postings up in January and February, hiring took a hit in the subsequent three months. The war in Iran and rising energy and supply chain costs tempered confidence leading to a notable dip in the number of postings. But June has bucked the trend with a significant uptick in the number of job roles advertised – the highest level since October 2023.
“We may be seeing green shoots of confidence, but businesses still face hiring headwinds. More than six in ten businesses say employment costs are rising – driven by National Insurance and other hiring costs. Add into the mix the Employment Rights Bill, a shortage of candidates with the right skills and wider economic uncertainty, and we need to be cautious in proclaiming the market has turned.
“But, if June’s uplift in job postings can be sustained going into Q3, and cost pressures ease even a little, we could finally see a longer term up-turn in the job market which will be good news for everyone.”