US Job Cuts Rise in August

2026-09-03 09:41 By Joana Taborda 1 min. read

US-based employers announced 52,881 job cuts in August 2026 compared to 33,429 in July.

However, the figure is down 38.5% compared with the same month last year and represents the lowest August month since 2022.

Consumer Products led all sectors with 10,057 cuts, driven by announcements at Procter & Gamble and Estée Lauder.

Food producers followed, with 7,982 cuts and Tyson accounting for nearly a third attributed to a historic cattle shortage.

Technology (6,103), financial (4,286) and communication (4,113) followed.

Restructuring led all reasons for job cuts in August with 16,173 announced while AI fell to the fourth-most cited reason with 3,462 cuts.

Through August, employers have announced 529,914 job cuts, down 41% from the first eight months of 2025 and the lowest January-to-August total since 2022.

Technology leads all industries with 155,126 cuts, followed by Transportation with 42,279, Health Care/Products with 35,637, Consumer Products with 28,574, and Services with 26,778.



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US Job Cuts Rise in August
US-based employers announced 52,881 job cuts in August 2026 compared to 33,429 in July. However, the figure is down 38.5% compared with the same month last year and represents the lowest August month since 2022. Consumer Products led all sectors with 10,057 cuts, driven by announcements at Procter & Gamble and Estée Lauder. Food producers followed, with 7,982 cuts and Tyson accounting for nearly a third attributed to a historic cattle shortage. Technology (6,103), financial (4,286) and communication (4,113) followed. Restructuring led all reasons for job cuts in August with 16,173 announced while AI fell to the fourth-most cited reason with 3,462 cuts. Through August, employers have announced 529,914 job cuts, down 41% from the first eight months of 2025 and the lowest January-to-August total since 2022. Technology leads all industries with 155,126 cuts, followed by Transportation with 42,279, Health Care/Products with 35,637, Consumer Products with 28,574, and Services with 26,778.
2026-09-03
US Firms Announce the Fewest Job Cuts in Two Years
US-based employers announced 33,429 job cuts in July 2026, the fewest in two years, down 27% from June and 46% compared with the same month last year. AI led all reasons for job cuts for a fifth straight month and was responsible for 10.97K during the month. The tech sector cut the most jobs (9.867K), followed by financial (3.157K), government (2.962K), and services (2.581K). Through July, employers have announced 477,033 job cuts, down 41% from the 806,383 cuts announced in the first seven months of 2025. Technology leads all industries with 149,023 cuts announced through July, followed by Transportation with 41,748, Health Care/Products with 34,426, Services with 23,942, and Government with 20,752. Meanwhile, employers announced plans to hire 16,095 workers in July, the highest July total since 2022. “Hiring has also increased over last year by 25%, so while AI is shifting the labor market, it is not dismantling it,” said Andy Challenger from Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
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US Job Cuts Fall to 6-Month Low
US-based employers announced 45,849 job cuts in June 2026, the lowest since December 2025, down 53% from May and 4% lower than in the same month last year. The tech sector announced the most cuts (15,503), followed by services (4,296), food producers and manufacturers (3,955) and health care companies (2,761). "The pace of layoffs cooled considerably in June, similar to plans last June, and is typical for summer months. That said, the cuts we are seeing remain concentrated in technology, and AI continues to reshape how companies think about headcount", according to Andy Challenger from Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Through June, employers announced 443,604 job cuts, down 40% from 744,308 cuts announced in the first six months of 2025, led by tech (139,156). Meanwhile, employers announced plans to hire 10,933 workers in June, pushing the year-to-date total to 91,405 workers, 10% more than in the first half of 2025.
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