US job openings held steady at 6.9 million in February, while hires fell to 4.8 million, marking the lowest hiring rate since April 2020, reports the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Total separations remained little changed at 5.0 million, with quits and layoffs largely stable.
Declines in hiring and job openings were observed in sectors such as accommodation, food services, and construction, reflecting a cooling yet still stable labor market. The BLS writes:
The number of job openings was little changed at 6.9 million in February, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the month, hires decreased to 4.8 million, and total separations changed little at 5.0 million. Within separations, quits (3.0 million) were little changed while layoffs and discharges (1.7 million) were unchanged.
This release includes estimates of the number and rate of job openings, hires, and separations for the total nonfarm sector, by industry, and by establishment size class. Job openings include all positions that are open on the last business day of the month. Hires and separations include all changes to the payroll during the entire month.
Job Openings
The number and rate of job openings were little changed at 6.9 million and 4.2 percent, respectively, in February. The number of job openings decreased in accommodation and food services (-211,000) and in mining and logging (-12,000).
Hires
The number of hires decreased to 4.8 million (-498,000) in February and was down by 387,000 over the year. The hires rate decreased over the month to 3.1 percent. This was the lowest hires rate since April 2020, when it was also 3.1 percent. In February, the number of hires decreased in accommodation and food services (-178,000) and in construction (-88,000).
Separations
Total separations include quits, layoffs and discharges, and other separations. Quits are generally voluntary separations initiated by the employee and can serve as a measure of workers’ willingness or ability to leave jobs. Layoffs and discharges are involuntary separations initiated by the employer. Other separations include retirement, death, disability, and transfers within the same firm.
In February, the number and rate of total separations were little changed at 5.0 million and 3.1 percent, respectively. The number of total separations decreased in federal government (-16,000).
The number and rate of quits were little changed at 3.0 million and 1.9 percent, respectively. Quits decreased in accommodation and food services (-119,000), wholesale trade (-35,000), and federal government (-6,000), but increased in nondurable goods manufacturing (+21,000).
The number of layoffs and discharges remained unchanged at 1.7 million, with the rate little changed at 1.1 percent. Layoffs and discharges increased in retail trade (+72,000) but decreased in nondurable goods manufacturing (-26,000) and federal government (-3,000).
The number of other separations decreased to 277,000 (-75,000) in February.
Establishment Size Class
In February, the job openings rate decreased for establishments with 1 to 9 employees, while hires, quits, layoffs and discharges, and total separations showed little change. For establishments with 5,000 or more employees, all rates showed little or no change.
January 2026 Revisions
The number of job openings for January was revised up by 294,000 to 7.2 million, hires were revised up by 53,000 to 5.3 million, and total separations were revised up by 39,000 to 5.1 million. Within separations, quits were revised down by 6,000 to 3.1 million, while layoffs and discharges were revised up by 29,000 to 1.7 million. These revisions reflect additional reports and updated seasonal adjustments.
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