U.S. Job Openings Jump to 7.6 Million in April, Highest Since May 2024 and Well Above Forecasts

S. 6 million job vacancies in April, the Labor Department reported Tuesday in its Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. 9 million in March and marked the highest level since May 2024.

8 million openings. Layoffs fell in April, the survey showed, but the number of Americans quitting their jobs also declined. Gross hiring dropped as well, indicating companies remained reluctant to expand payrolls even while retaining existing staff.

The American job market has been recovering from a weak 2025. Companies, nonprofits and government agencies added fewer than 10,000 jobs a month last year, the least outside a recession since 2002. Job growth averaged 76,000 a month from January through April of this year.

Big tax refunds stemming from President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax cut bill passed last year lifted the economy this year. The refunds offset the effects of sharply higher energy prices that followed the United States and Israel attack on Iran on February 28. Those refunds have largely been paid out and are fading as a stimulus.

The United States also requires fewer new jobs to maintain employment levels. Trump’s immigration crackdown and Baby Boomer retirements have reduced the number of people competing for work. Federal Reserve economists Seth Murray and Ivan Vidangos reported in April that the break-even point for new jobs needed monthly to keep the unemployment rate stable has fallen to near zero from 155,000 a month two or three years ago.

The Labor Department will issue its May employment report on Friday. 3%.