Job Openings Hit 7.5 Million as Hiring Momentum Returns

Job openings reached 7.5 million in September.

The Labor Department reported on Tuesday that this total represents the highest count since May. The figure marks a recovery from the recent low of 6.9 million recorded in March. August job openings were revised down to 7.19 million. Gross hiring, which includes job gains before accounting for quits and layoffs, also increased during the period.

The surge in recruitment activity contradicts the public sentiment visible in polls as voters head to the election on Tuesday. Many citizens view the economy negatively due to elevated prices, even as business expansion appears to be picking up speed. The data suggests that stronger economic growth is motivating employers to expand their workforces.

Economists caution that a single month of improvement does not confirm a lasting trend. They state that the upward movement must persist for several months to verify a genuine shift in the labor market. Hiring has been sluggish for nearly three years. Layoffs, however, have stayed at historically low levels. This combination creates a market with low churn, where employed workers enjoy high job security while those seeking new positions face greater difficulty finding roles.

The government will release the October jobs report on Friday. FactSet forecasts that employers added 65,000 positions last month. This projection would represent a notable improvement over the 29,000 jobs added in September. Analysts expect the unemployment rate to remain steady at 4.2 percent. In previous economic cycles, a gain of 65,000 jobs might have signaled weakness. Current demographic shifts, including baby boom retirements and lower immigration, mean the economy requires fewer new jobs to maintain low unemployment.

September data showed layoffs falling to 1.64 million, the fewest since March 2025. Conversely, the number of workers voluntarily leaving their jobs rose to 3.37 million. This is the highest quit figure in approximately 18 months, up from 3.04 million in the previous month. Analysts generally view rising quit rates as a positive signal. Workers typically leave their positions only when they have another job lined up or feel confident in their ability to find new employment, suggesting underlying strength in labor mobility despite the slow pace of hiring.