U.S. Job Openings Rise 731,000 in April to 7.6 Million

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that U.S. job openings reached 7.6 million in April, up 731,000 from the prior month and the highest level since May 2024. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones had expected 6.8 million openings. The jump lifted the openings rate to 4.6 percent of the labor force.

Companies hired 5.12 million workers during the month, down 419,000 from March. The hiring rate fell 0.3 percentage point to 3.2 percent. Layoffs and discharges declined 192,000 to 1.7 million. Quits fell 183,000 to just under 3 million, the lowest level since August 2020.

Nearly all of the increase came from the professional and business services category, which added 668,000 openings. Health care and social assistance added 89,000 positions. Financial activities reported a decline of 134,000 openings. Most other sectors showed little change.

“For now, the labor market remains mostly stable. Officials continue to monitor the data for signs of labor-market slack.”