JUNE 2, 2026

U.S. job openings rise to 7.6 million in April, highest level in nearly two years

U.S. employers posted 7.62 million job openings in April, up from 6.89 million in March, the Labor Department's Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) reported Tuesday. The April figure beat economist forecasts of 6.8 million and marked the highest level since May 2024. Layoffs fell in April, though the rate of workers quitting their jobs and the pace of gross hiring also declined.

The Labor Department's JOLTS report, released Tuesday, showed job openings jumped to 7.62 million in April, reversing a two-month decline and surpassing expectations by a wide margin. The report covers conditions at the end of April.

Despite the headline increase in openings, the report contained mixed signals. The Associated Press noted that layoffs fell — typically a sign of labor market stability — but that the number of workers voluntarily quitting also declined, which can indicate workers are less confident about finding alternative employment. Gross hiring also dropped, suggesting companies are holding onto existing workers rather than actively expanding their headcount.

The April figures arrived against the backdrop of economic disruption following a U.S.-Israeli military operation against Iran that began February 28, according to the AP. Both the AP and CNN noted that economists had warned the conflict and related energy and supply shocks could suppress hiring activity, making the April beat more notable. The AP reported that energy prices rose sharply in the aftermath of that conflict.