Hiring Plans 23% Below Last Year as Job Openings, Payrolls Stall

NewsData.io · United States · Oct 3, 2026

Initial jobless claims fell to 197,000 for the week ended September 26, the lowest since 1969, yet employers added only 29,000 jobs in September and the unemployment rate ticked up to 4.2%. Outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas reports hiring intentions are running 23% below last year's levels, with the typical autumn seasonal surge absent as companies adopt a wait-and-see posture amid record diesel prices, tariff-driven input costs, and a Federal Reserve rate hike. Entry-level hiring fell 2.4% while mid-career demand rose 11%, signaling companies are retaining experienced workers and closing junior pipelines. Staffing firms should expect continued pressure on placement volumes, particularly in entry-level and temp roles, with holiday hiring a key near-term signal to watch.