Senior Israeli Tech Workers Struggle to Find Equivalent Jobs Amid Layoff Wave

A significant wave of layoffs in Israel's high-tech sector during the first half of 2026 has left many senior employees struggling to secure comparable roles and salaries. Hagit Yogev, a senior career advisor, estimates that around 9,500 workers were dismissed from tech companies and startups, primarily software developers, QA specialists, product managers, marketing, and customer support staff. Approximately 65% of those laid off plan to seek similar positions within the tech industry, while about 20% are considering a complete career change, and others are turning to self-employment.

Yogev highlights that many senior managers face difficulties finding roles that match their previous status and compensation, often having to accept lower-paying jobs or positions in smaller companies. She notes that less than half of the managers will find new tech roles with similar conditions, with around 10% attempting career shifts. The financial aspect weighs heavily on these executives, many of whom earned very high salaries.

Regarding job search duration, previous data showed that 30% found new jobs within one to two months, and 50% within three months. However, Yogev predicts that currently, finding a new position will take longer: about three months for in-demand roles, up to six months for others, and between six months to a year for senior executives, especially C-level managers. For those considering career changes, the main challenge is identifying a suitable profession that aligns with their skills and interests without a significant salary reduction, as tech salaries are substantially higher than in other fields.