U.S. Job Openings Hold Steady at 7.7 Million as Hiring and Quits Remain Soft

Source: Coindoo Original Title: U.S. Job Openings Hold Steady at 7.7 Million as Hiring and Quits Remain Soft Original Link: America’s labor market showed little movement in October, with job openings stuck at 7.7 million and hiring activity largely unchanged, according to new data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

The figures suggest a cooling job market that is slowly stabilizing after months of gradual decline in demand for workers.

Key Takeaways

• Job openings held steady at 7.7 million.
• Hiring and quits showed little change.
• Workers are quitting less, showing lower confidence.
• Some reporting delays may affect future data releases.

Employers hired about 5.1 million workers in October, matching the previous month. No major industry saw a significant increase or drop in hiring, signaling that companies are being cautious but are not pulling back aggressively.

Workers Less Willing to Quit Jobs

One of the clearest signs of a softer labor market is the trend in voluntary quits. Only 2.9 million people resigned from their jobs in October, a figure that has fallen by more than 275,000 compared to a year ago. Fewer people quitting suggests workers feel less confident about switching jobs or securing better offers.

Quits declined in sectors such as accommodation and food services, healthcare and social assistance, and federal government jobs. Meanwhile, entertainment, recreation, and information industries saw minor increases.

Layoffs Slightly Higher in Some Areas

Layoffs and discharges remained unchanged nationwide at 1.9 million. However, hospitality and state and local government roles saw modest increases in layoffs.

Another notable shift was a drop in “other separations” such as retirements, transfers, and deaths, which fell to 255,000.

The BLS noted that September’s JOLTS report was disrupted by the government shutdown, resulting in delayed processing. October’s numbers were gathered afterward as planned, but the agency warned that future reports may be delayed as they catch up.

Overall, the October JOLTS report paints a picture of a labor market that is steady but losing momentum. There are still millions of openings, but workers are less willing to leave jobs, and businesses appear more selective with hiring.

The next update, covering November 2025, is scheduled for release on January 7, 2026.