US Job Openings Rise More than Expected

2026-03-13 14:03 By Andre Joaquim 1 min. read

Job openings in the US rose to 6.946 million in January of 2026, rebounding from the over-five-year low of 6.550 million in the previous month and ahead of market expectations of 6.7 million.

Still, the reading remained well below averages since the labor market recovered from the Covid pandemic, consolidating the view of slow hiring in the US economy.

Openings were high for leisure and hospitality (1.041 million), private education and health services (1.539 million), and trade, transportation, and utilities (1.038 million).

Meanwhile, hires edged higher to 5.295 million from 5.272 million.

Also, separations were little changed at 5.1 million, while quits held around the 3.1 million area from 3.2 million in the previous month.



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US Job Openings Rise More than Expected
Job openings in the US rose to 6.946 million in January of 2026, rebounding from the over-five-year low of 6.550 million in the previous month and ahead of market expectations of 6.7 million. Still, the reading remained well below averages since the labor market recovered from the Covid pandemic, consolidating the view of slow hiring in the US economy. Openings were high for leisure and hospitality (1.041 million), private education and health services (1.539 million), and trade, transportation, and utilities (1.038 million). Meanwhile, hires edged higher to 5.295 million from 5.272 million. Also, separations were little changed at 5.1 million, while quits held around the 3.1 million area from 3.2 million in the previous month.
2026-03-13
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.
2026-02-05
US Job Openings Fall to 14-Month Low
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.
2026-01-07