Verizon Cuts Over 4,000 Jobs in Q3

The telecom giant reduced its workforce as AT&T also cut roughly 3,700 positions during the same quarter.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Employment

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Verizon reduced its workforce by more than 4,000 jobs in the third quarter of 2026, while AT&T cut about 3,700 jobs in the July-September period. Combined, the two companies eliminated roughly 8,000 positions.

Why it matters

The cuts reflect ongoing workforce reductions across the telecom sector, with the two companies together shedding over 142,000 jobs since 2020. For U.S. workers and households, the trend points to a leaner industry operating with fewer employees.

Verizon headcount dropped from 97,600 in June 2026 to just over 93,000 in September 2026, and the two companies together employed about 220,500 people in September. The filings do not detail the reasons behind the reductions or whether additional cuts are planned.

The players

Verizon Communications

Verizon is a major U.S. telecommunications provider whose workforce has shrunk substantially since 2020 while its revenue per employee has risen.

AT&T

AT&T is one of the largest U.S. telecommunications companies and a direct competitor to Verizon in wireless and broadband services.

The details

Verizon had almost 10,000 fewer employees in December 2025 than a year earlier and continued reducing staff through 2026. AT&T's roughly 3,700 cuts came in the same July-September window, with its operating costs reaching $28.2 billion in the third quarter.

- December 2024: Baseline before Verizon's workforce reduction period.
- December 2025: Verizon employed almost 10,000 fewer people than in December 2024.
- June 2026: Verizon headcount stood at 97,600.
- July-September 2026: AT&T and Verizon cut a combined roughly 8,000 jobs.
- September 2026: Verizon headcount fell to just over 93,000.

Market Landscape

The two carriers have cut more than 142,000 jobs since 2020, a sustained pattern that the Q3 2026 reductions extend. Verizon's revenue per employee grew from $970,500 in 2020 to over half a million dollars in 2025, indicating a shift toward productivity gains with fewer workers.

Workers in telecom and related fields face continued job uncertainty as carriers reduce headcount and hold operating costs steady. Customers may see the effects through the companies' efforts to operate with fewer employees.

The takeaway

Sustained headcount reductions at major carriers signal that telecom growth is increasingly coming from productivity rather than hiring. Workers and job seekers in the sector should watch for further cuts as the trend continues.