US job openings rise to 7.5 million, but employers remain slow to hire
Job openings increased to 7.5 million in September, but a low-hire, low-fire market means a posted job is not always an open door.
Market · Source: BLS
What happened
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 7.52 million job openings at the end of September 2026. This is an increase of 333,000 from the revised August numbers. Despite the jump in open roles, actual hiring only saw a small increase to 5.4 million. Job openings specifically increased in state and local government, excluding education.
Economists describe the current environment as a low-hire, low-fire market. Employers are keeping layoffs near historic lows, with only 1.6 million discharges in September. Strong profits and steady domestic demand are preventing mass job cuts. However, the ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran is making companies hesitant to bring on new staff quickly.
At the same time, more workers are leaving their jobs voluntarily. The number of quits increased to 3.4 million in September, up by 375,000 over the year. Quits notably increased in accommodation and food services. This shows some workers feel confident enough to leave, even if overall hiring across the broader economy is slow.
By the numbers
- 7.523 million — Total job openings on the last day of September 2026
- 5.402 million — Total number of hires made in September
- 3.4 million — Number of workers who voluntarily quit their jobs
- 1.641 million — Number of layoffs and discharges, a decrease from August
- 4.5 percent — The job openings rate in September
Why it matters
For people looking for work, a high number of job openings can be very misleading. Companies are posting jobs, but they are taking their time to actually fill them. You might see plenty of listings online, but the interview process will likely move slowly. Employers are being cautious before making final offers because of global uncertainty. A posted job is not always an open door.
Because layoffs are very low, employed workers are staying in their seats longer. This means fewer natural vacancies are opening up in stable corporate teams. New graduates and visa holders will face tough competition for the few roles that companies are actively trying to fill right now. It is also worth noting that the JOLTS report has a low response rate from businesses, which means the real situation on the ground could be even tighter than the numbers suggest.
Who this hits
Active job seekers
You will see many job postings, but you must be patient. A posted job does not mean the company is in a rush to hire.
Employed workers
Your risk of losing your job is currently low. Layoffs decreased in September, meaning companies want to keep the staff they already have.
Healthcare workers
Layoffs and discharges decreased by 70,000 in health care and social assistance. This sector remains highly stable for workers currently employed there.
Hospitality workers
Hiring and quits both increased in accommodation and food services. If you work in this sector, you have more movement and opportunities compared to other industries.
What to do this week
- Check if a company is actively hiring before spending hours on a standard online application.
- Look for recent news about the company to see if geopolitical events are impacting their business plans.
- Focus your energy on roles where you have a direct referral to bypass slow online screening.
- Monitor industry trends to target sectors like government or hospitality that are showing actual movement.
See who's hiring right now on GiraffyReach
My take
I see a lot of job seekers get frustrated when they apply to hundreds of open roles and hear nothing back. The data shows us exactly why this happens in a low-hire, low-fire market. Do not let the high number of job openings give you false hope, but do not give up either. Adjust your strategy to verify if a role is truly open before you apply.