US Job Openings Lowest since 2020

Job openings in the US fell by 386,000 to 6.542 million in December 2025, the lowest since September 2020 and well below market expectations of 7.2 million. The number of job openings decreased in professional and business services (-257,000), retail trade (-195,000), and finance and insurance (-120,000). Regionally, openings fell in the Northeast (-210,000), the South (-58,000), the Midwest (-18,000), and the West (-100,000). Meanwhile, hires and total separations were little changed at 5.3 million each. Within separations, quits (3.2 million) were unchanged while layoffs and discharges (1.8 million) were little changed.

Job openings in the US fell by 303,000 to 7.146 million in November 2025, the lowest since September 2024 and well below market expectations of 7.60 million. The number of job openings decreased in accommodation and food services (-148,000); transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-108,000); and wholesale trade (-63,000). On the other hand, openings increased in construction (+90,000). Regionally, openings fell in the Northeast (-34,000), the South (-100,000), the Midwest (-91,000), and the West (-78,000). Meanwhile, hires were little changed and total separations were unchanged at 5.1 million each. Within separations, both quits (3.2 million) and layoffs and discharges (1.7 million) were little changed.

Job openings in the United States increased by 12,000 to 7.670 million in October 2025, up from 7.658 million in September, according to delayed data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The September figure showed a 431,000 jump from August’s 7.227 million, with both months surpassing expectations of 7.2 million. By sector, openings rose in trade, transportation, and utilities (+239,000), led by retail and wholesale trade, and health care and social assistance (+49,000), but declined in professional and business services (-114,000), the federal government (-25,000), and leisure and hospitality (-22,000). Regionally, gains in the South (+77,000) and West (+12,000) were partially offset by declines in the Midwest (-42,000) and Northeast (-35,000). The September and October data were released together for the first time due to the 43-day government shutdown, with September figures including partial self-reported data during the shutdown and additional information collected afterward.