US Job Openings Surged To 7.6 Million In April; Highest In Nearly Two Years

U.S. job openings rose unexpectedly in April, reaching their highest level in nearly two years even as hiring activity slowed, according to new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The report showed there were 7.6 million available jobs in April, an increase of 731,000 from March and the highest total since May 2024. The increase suggests employers are still looking to add workers despite broader economic uncertainty.

At the same time, companies hired 5.12 million workers during the month, down 419,000 from March. The hiring rate fell to 3.2%, indicating that while job openings are growing, businesses are taking a more cautious approach to bringing on new employees. Layoffs and discharges also declined, falling by 192,000 to 1.7 million.