US Job Openings Below Forecasts

Job openings in the US fell by 358,000 to 6.882 million in February 2026, below market expectations of 6.92 million. The number of job openings decreased in accommodation and food services (-211,000) and in mining and logging (-12,000). Regionally, openings fell in the Northeast (-110,000), the South (-160,000), the Midwest (-58,000), and the West (-19,000). Meanwhile, hires decreased to 4.8 million, and total separations changed little at 5.0 million. Within separations, quits (3.0 million) were little changed while layoffs and discharges (1.7 million) were unchanged.

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.

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.