Low-Hire, Low-Fire Labor Market Is Making Job Hunting Harder
NewsData.io · United States · Sep 3, 2026
The U.S. labor market remains in a 'low-hire, low-fire' state as of mid-2026, with job growth slowing but layoffs staying muted, according to NerdWallet's analysis of the latest BLS data. Healthcare continues to drive most job gains due to demographic demand, while temporary workers, transportation, and professional services also posted July gains. Tech and nondurable goods manufacturing are trending down, with weakness showing up as unfilled vacancies rather than layoffs. For staffing firms, the environment signals reduced placement volume as workers stay put and employer hiring plans remain cautious amid economic uncertainty.
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