U.S. Job Openings Rise to 7.52 Million in September as Layoffs Hit 18-Month Low

September job openings in the United States rose to 7.523 million, according to the Labor Department’s monthly Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). This figure represents an increase of 333,000 from the previous month and was higher than the 7.164 million estimate in a Bloomberg survey of economists. The August figure was also revised upward by 111,000 to 7.190 million.

Labor Demand and Hiring Trends

The job openings rate rose two tenths to 4.5%, which is the joint-highest level since May and is level with January 2020. There were 1.06 openings per unemployed worker, the highest since July.

According to the report, hiring also increased:

• Hires rose 131,000 to 5.402 million, the highest level since March.
• The hiring rate rose to 3.4%.
• Accommodation and food services led hiring increases with 158,000 new hires.
• Construction and retail trade followed with 49,000 and 40,000 respectively.

Professional and business services and wholesale trade saw declines of 30,000 and 28,000, respectively.

Separations and Layoffs

Quits increased by 321,000 to 3.365 million, marking the highest level since May 2023. The quits rate rose to 2.1%. A significant portion of this increase was driven by the accommodation and food services sector, which accounted for 197,000 of the gain.

Layoffs fell by 127,000 to 1.641 million, which is the lowest level since March 2025. The layoffs rate was 1.0%, the joint-lowest since October 2024. However, the report noted that August layoffs were revised up by 127,000 to 1.768 million, meaning the September figure effectively returned the level to what was originally reported for August.

In terms of industry declines for layoffs, health care and social assistance led with a decrease of 70,000, followed by professional and business services (down 45,000) and wholesale trade (down 32,000). Construction saw an increase of 25,000.

Why it matters

Analysts suggest that the strength of the labor market could impact monetary policy. According to Kitco News, the data could provide the Federal Reserve room to raise interest rates to address persistent inflation. The Federal Reserve has previously stated that inflation remains a bigger concern than the labor market.

In an October 28 press conference, Fed Chair Kevin Warsh stated that "on the employment side of the Fed’s dual mandate, conditions are quite positive."

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Sources

• kitco.com: Gold prices struggling as U.S. sees solid rise in job postings | Kitco News
• pro.thestreet.com: JOLTS Report Strong Across the Board

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.