U.S. Job Openings Surge to 7.52 Million in September

WHO:

Fast Company - The U.S. Labor Department reported job openings through its Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS).

Fast Company - Heather Long, chief economist at Navy Federal Credit Union, said companies were “slowly increasing their hiring” despite high fuel prices and inflation.

Fast Company - Nicole Bachaud, a labor economist at ZipRecruiter, said inflation and higher interest rates could constrain hiring.

Fast Company - Christopher Rugaber was identified as an AP economics writer.

IJR - Economists described the labor market as “low-hire, low-fire,” with modest employment gains.

WHAT:

Fast Company - U.S. job openings rose to 7.5 million from a revised 7.19 million in August, the highest level since May and up from a recent low of 6.9 million in March.

IJR - Job openings rose more than expected to about 7.5 million; hiring increased and layoffs declined.

Fast Company - Gross hiring increased and layoffs fell in September.

Fast Company - Layoffs fell to 1.64 million, the fewest since March 2025; quits rose to 3.37 million from 3.04 million, the highest in about 18 months.

Fast Company - Job openings exceeded the number of unemployed people, reversing the balance reported a year earlier.

Fast Company - Openings increased most in professional and business services. Manufacturers, shipping firms, and state and local governments also advertised for more workers.

Fast Company - The forthcoming October jobs report was forecast to show 65,000 jobs added, compared with 29,000 in September; unemployment was expected to remain 4.2%.

WHERE:

Fast Company - The reported labor-market figures concerned the United States.

WHY:

Fast Company - The article said stronger economic growth may be encouraging employers to post more jobs.

Fast Company - Bachaud said inflation and higher interest rates make it more expensive for businesses to operate and expand, putting downward pressure on hiring.

Fast Company - Long cited high diesel and gasoline prices and ongoing inflation as economic headwinds.

Fast Company - The article said reduced job growth may suffice to keep unemployment low because baby boomers are retiring and immigration has fallen sharply.

HOW:

Fast Company - JOLTS measures job openings, hiring, layoffs, and quits; gross hiring refers to job gains before subtracting people who quit or lost jobs.

Fast Company - The article said workers generally quit when they have another job lined up or are confident they can find new work.

(UPDATED November 3, 2026 20:01 UTC)

U.S. job openings climbed to 7.5 million, their highest level since May. Hiring increased and layoffs declined, while quits rose to their highest level in about 18 months. Economists described a low-hire, low-fire market, with inflation and interest rates constraining employers.