Job openings slide to 6.9 million in February, another hint of sluggish hiring in America

abcnews.com • March 31, 2026 • business

Key Points:

U.S. job openings fell to 6.9 million in February from 7.2 million in January, indicating a slowdown in the labor market, with hiring also at its lowest level since April 2020.
Layoffs increased while the number of people quitting jobs dropped to 2.97 million, the fewest since August 2020, signaling reduced worker confidence in finding better opportunities.
The hiring rate declined to 3.1%, the lowest since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, as companies grew cautious amid rising gasoline prices and economic uncertainty following the Iran war.
Despite weak hiring, the unemployment rate remained low at 4.4%, reflecting a "low-hire, low-fire" labor market where employers are hesitant to add or cut staff.
Concerns are growing that artificial intelligence is displacing entry-level jobs, causing companies to delay hiring decisions as they assess how to integrate AI into their operations.

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