US Job Openings Slip to 7.4 Million in June as Labor Market Holds Steady

NewsData.io · United States · Aug 4, 2026

U.S. job openings fell to 7.36 million in June from 7.54 million in May, according to the Labor Department, with gains in warehouse, transportation, and federal government sectors offset by declines in wholesale and nondurable goods manufacturing. Layoffs held steady at 1.8 million while gross hiring ticked up to 5.3 million, though both metrics remain below post-pandemic peaks. Year-to-date job growth has averaged 92,000 positions per month, a notable rebound from near-stagnation in 2025. Immigration restrictions and ongoing boomer retirements are tightening the available labor pool, lowering the effective job-creation threshold needed to maintain current unemployment levels — a structural dynamic staffing firms should factor into placement and pricing strategies.