U.S. Job Openings Declined During August
Employers posted 7.08 million openings in August 2026, down from 7.34 million in July.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Employment
Live Poll
Is the U.S. labor market currently providing enough opportunities for job seekers?
U.S. employers reported 7.08 million job openings in August 2026, marking a decrease from the revised 7.34 million openings recorded in July. The Labor Department released these figures through its JOLTS report, which tracks labor market turnover.
Why it matters
The decline in job availability highlights a cooling labor market as businesses manage rising energy costs linked to ongoing conflict with Iran. This shift in hiring demand reflects a broader trend of slowing economic growth across the country.
Job openings fell to 7.08 million in August from a revised 7.34 million in July, according to the monthly JOLTS report. It remains unknown how sustained energy price increases will influence future hiring trends.
The players
Labor Department
This federal executive department is responsible for occupational safety, wage and hour standards, and tracking national labor market statistics.
The details
While job openings decreased, layoffs fell during the month and the number of people choosing to quit their jobs showed little change. The data on hiring averages was compiled by measuring job gains across government agencies, nonprofits, and private businesses.
Timeline
Monthly hiring averaged 491,000 jobs during the 2021-2022 period.
Average monthly hiring totaled 166,000 jobs in 2023 and 2024.
Employers added an average of 9,700 jobs per month in 2025.
U.S. job openings were 7.34 million in July 2026.
U.S. job openings were 7.08 million in August 2026.
Macro View
The August data follows the established methodology of the Labor Department's JOLTS report to measure labor market tightening. This current economic climate mirrors past periods of transition where hiring gains slowed significantly following years of high volume growth.
A slowing job market may impact wage growth and limit hiring opportunities for those seeking new employment in the coming months. These economic shifts could affect household budgets as the labor market continues to adjust to higher energy costs.
The takeaway
While the labor market is currently softening, the continued stability in the unemployment rate provides a buffer for the broader economy. Job seekers may find that the pace of new hiring remains lower than the rapid growth seen in the 2021-2022 period.
What happens next
The United States is projected to add 95,000 jobs in September, with the unemployment rate expected to remain at 4.1 percent.
Further reading
For more on national labor trends, see the Employment section.
Live Poll
Is the U.S. labor market currently providing enough opportunities for job seekers?
