Key facts
- US job openings increased by 731,000 to 7.618 million in April.
- This is the highest level of job openings recorded since May 2024.
- Hiring decreased by 419,000 to 5.116 million in April.
- The job openings rate rose to 4.6% in April from 4.2% in March.
- Layoffs and discharges dropped to 1.692 million in April.
U.S. job openings surged by more than expected in April, reaching 7.618 million, the highest level in nearly two years, according to the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics. This increase in labor demand occurred despite a decline in hiring, which fell to 5.116 million, suggesting that economic uncertainty may be tempering active recruitment. The job openings rate rose to 4.6%, while layoffs decreased, indicating a potentially firming labor market after a period of wobbling.