U.S. job openings were unchanged at 6.9 million in March but hiring improved [View all]
Source: AP
Updated 10:49 AM EDT, May 5, 2026
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. job openings were essentially unchanged in March but hiring improved before the full impact of the Iran war hit the economy. Employers posted 6.87 million jobs in March, compared to 6.92 million in February, the Labor Department reported Tuesday.
The job market has been up and down so far this year after a dismal 2025. And the Iran war, which began Feb. 28, has clouded the outlook for the economy and hiring.
The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey showed that layoffs rose in March. But hiring improved: Employers added 5.55 million gross jobs, most since February 2024. More Americans also quit their jobs — a sign of confidence in their prospects.
Job openings have come down more or less steadily since peaking at a record 12.3 million in March 2022 as the U.S. economy bounded back from COVID-19 lockdowns. High interest rates, a response to an outburst of inflation in 2021-2022; uncertainty over President Donald Trump’s policies; and, potentially, the disruptive impact of artificial intelligence have discouraged robust hiring.
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/job-openings-economy-trump-iran-war-hiring-93d758277fc30efef1bcb22341508621
This the BLS JOLTS report for March. From the source - https://www.bls.gov/news.release/jolts.nr0.htm
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