U.S. Job Openings Decline to 6.9 Million in February

Hiring also remains weak, signaling ongoing labor market sluggishness

Apr. 1, 2026 at 4:54pm

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The number of open jobs in the United States fell to 6.9 million in February, down from the previous month, according to new government data. Hiring also remained weak, indicating continued softness in the American labor market.

Why it matters

The job openings and hiring figures are closely watched indicators of the strength of the U.S. economy. The decline in openings and sluggish hiring suggest the labor market may be losing some momentum, which could have broader implications for consumer spending, business investment, and overall economic growth.

The details

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that job openings declined from 7.1 million in January to 6.9 million in February. Hiring also remained relatively flat compared to the prior month, signaling that employers may be pulling back on adding new workers.

  • The job openings data is for the month of February 2026.

The players

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

The principal fact-finding agency for the U.S. government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics.

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The takeaway

The decline in job openings and weak hiring suggest the U.S. labor market may be losing some momentum, which could signal broader economic softness ahead if the trend continues.