US Job Openings Edge Higher in Sign of Stable Labor Demand

NewsData.io · United States · Sep 4, 2026

U.S. job openings rose to 7.27 million in July from a revised 7.18 million in June, per Bureau of Labor Statistics data, while layoffs fell to their lowest level since January. The labor market continues to reflect a low-hire, low-fire dynamic, with employers cautious about expanding headcount but reluctant to cut staff. Manufacturing openings hit their highest since December 2023, while leisure and hospitality vacancies dropped to their lowest since 2021. The vacancies-to-unemployed ratio held at approximately 1.1-to-1, with the Fed characterizing the market as 'quite stable' and consistent with full employment.