U.S. Job Openings Ticked Down Slightly in August

By Dean Seal

U.S. job openings were marginally lower in August while hiring ticked up and layoffs ticked down, according to a report from the Labor Department's monthly job openings and labor turnover survey.

Available positions slid to 7.1 million in August from 7.3 million in July. Meanwhile, the hiring rate ticked up to 3.3% in August from 3.2% in July, with about 5.2 million Americans landing new jobs last month.

The number and rate of layoffs and discharges were little changed at 1.6 million and 1%.

The quit rate, or workers leaving their jobs voluntarily, was static at 3.1 million and 1.9% over the month, the report said.

Write to Dean Seal at dean.seal@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 29, 2026 10:23 ET (14:23 GMT)