The number of job openings in the United States soared to 7.6 million in April, the highest level in nearly two years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This marks an increase of 731,000 jobs from March, far exceeding economists' expectations of a decline to 6.8 million.
Professional and business services drove over 90% of the new openings, signaling strong demand in white-collar sectors. However, the labor market shows mixed signals: the number of people voluntarily quitting their jobs dropped to 2.98 million, the lowest since August 2020, while layoffs fell to a three-month low of 1.7 million. Hiring activity also declined, with businesses adding 5.12 million workers, down by 419,000 from March.
"For now, the labor market remains mostly stable," said Matthew Martin, senior U.S. economist at Oxford Economics. "With the quits rate and the layoff rate ticking down in April, neither employees nor employers are in a hurry to make moves." However, he warned that geopolitical tensions, such as the U.S./Israel-Iran war, could test the labor market, as weaker household spending and uncertainty may influence hiring intentions.
Caption: A now hiring sign is seen in the window of a fast food restaurant in Orange California on January 27, 2021. Job openings rose to 7.6 million in April 2026. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
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