Jolts Report Shows Little Job-Market Churn -- WSJ

By Matt Grossman

August brought another month of low-hire, low-fire balance for the labor market.

The pace of hirings, firings, quits and vacancies budged little last month, according to the Labor Department's survey of job openings and labor turnover published Tuesday.

The rate of layoffs declined slightly, to 1%, from 1.1% in July. And the hiring rate firmed slightly, to 3.3%, from 3.2% a month earlier.

But the rate of job openings declined to 4.3%, from 4.4% in July. And the rate of voluntary job quits was steady at 1.9%.

All told, the numbers paint the picture of a stable labor market with little churn-comfortable for those holding down a job, but frustrating for workers seeking new roles.

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September 29, 2026 10:15 ET (14:15 GMT)