Job Openings Fell to 7.08 Million in August, Below Forecasts

The Labor Department's JOLTS report showed openings down from a revised 7.34 million in July, while hires, quits and layoffs were all little changed.

By Dana Whitfield

Oct 1, 2026 · 5 min read

U.S. job openings fell to 7.079 million in August from a revised 7.335 million in July, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Tuesday, coming in below economists' consensus of roughly 7.23 million.

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Dana Whitfield

Leadership Editor

Dana reports on boards, succession and executive pay. She has interviewed more than 200 sitting chief executives.

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