U.S. job openings fell slightly last month to 6.9 million, another sign of sluggishness in the American labor market.
The Labor Department reported Tuesday that job vacancies slid from 7.2 million in January.The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary , showed that layoffs rose. Just 2.97 million people quit their jobs in February.
Typically, people giving up their jobs is a sign of confidence in their prospects for finding better pay or working conditions elsewhere. The number of people leaving jobs last month was the fewest since August 2020. A measure of hiring also deteriorated: The JOLTS report showed 4.85 million gross hires in February, fewest since April 2020. The hiring rate — the number of hires as a percentage of employment — dropped to 3.1%, also the lowest since April 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic that shut down economic activity. The numbers show the labor market before the Iran war drove up gasoline prices and increased uncertainty. Christopher S. Rupkey, chief economist at the financial research firm fwdbonds, wrote in a commentary that the drop in openings"as the Iran war started is not a good omen for the health and vitality of the labor market. Companies have grown more cautious as the price of gasoline has risen over a dollar a gallon since the war began, and consumers have become much less confident.'' The U.S. job market has sputtered over the past year, reflecting the lingering impact of the high interest rates and uncertainty over President Donald Trump’s economic policies and the impact of artificial intelligence. Employers added fewer than 10,000 net jobs a month in 2025 – weakest hiring outside a recession since 2002. This year started out with a decent 126,000 new jobs in January. But in February, the United States lost 92,000 jobs. When the Labor Department releases March jobs numbers Friday, they’re expected to show that hiring rebounded and that companies, nonprofits and government agencies added 60,000 jobs this month. Despite sluggish hiring, the unemployment rate has stayed low – at 4.4%. Economists refer to a low-hire, low-fire job market in which companies are hesitant to add staff but don’t want to let go of the workers they have. There are growing worries that AI is taking over entry-level work and that companies are reluctant to make hiring decisions until they better understand how they are going to use AI. Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.15 year old student shoots a teacher then takes his own lifeNo active threat on campus at Hill Country Prep High School in BulverdeCity of San Antonio says Ackerman Road dip under Kirby’s jurisdictionAtascosa County fire seems like a bad case of déjà vuProposed border wall threatens prehistoric cave artAdam Caskey has your Weather Authority cold front forecastHundreds of millions of dollars lost each year to scams at crypto ATMsBank teller and police officer help stop a scamFamily of Matthew Guerra reacts to guilty verdictFamily reacts to guilty verdict in Christopher Preciado trialVerdict reached in Christopher Preciado capital murder trialCastle Hills police department says the armed suspect shot this morning has diedHow to find accurate TSA wait times at airports around the countryRecords show New Braunfels ISD pulling, restricting more books than it has publicly listedResidents hope to stave off light pollution caused by rapid growth of nearby San Antonio74 year old woman hit crossing South General McMullenLake Placid and Lake McQueeney are coming back after sitting emptyNew emissions test could cost Bexar County vehicle ownersVictims’ families sound off on Bexar County DA after accused double murderer gets 50-year sentenceVictims’ families sound off on Bexar County DA after accused double murderer gets 50-year sentenceSan Antonio attorney admits stealing over half a million dollars from children's inheritance.Arrest made in deadly car racing accidentSpurs respond after viral video at game sparks backlashIs the 'smokable' hemp market about to be set ablaze?
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
American-born IDF soldier killed in combat in LebanonToday's Video Headlines: 3/29/2026
Read more »
The Most Expensive Homes Sold in Washington in FebruaryThe website that Washington lives by.
Read more »
Crunchyroll Announces English Dub Release Schedule for Spring 2026 AnimeCrunchyroll confirms the same-day English dub release for its upcoming fantasy anime alongside the premiere of its Japanese language episodes. The English dub will be available in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, and CIS, with additional dubs in Latin American Spanish, Castilian Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, French, German, Italian, and Arabic. The announcement includes the voice cast, director, producer, character designer, music composer and theme songs information.
Read more »
A Build America, Buy America law is causing construction delays amid the country’s housing crisisA law requiring most materials used in affordable housing projects that get federal dollars to be produced in the U.S. is causing delays and extra costs, according to developers.
Read more »
Job openings slide to 6.9 million in February, another hint of sluggish hiring in AmericaU.S. job openings fell slightly last month to 6.9 million, another sign of sluggishness in the American labor market.
Read more »
Job openings slide to 6.9 million in February, another hint of sluggish hiring in AmericaWASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. job openings fell slightly last month to 6.9 million, another sign of sluggishness in the American labor market
Read more »