US job openings rise to 7.5 million as more workers quit

What JOLTS is. It is a monthly BLS survey of job openings, hires and people leaving jobs. Openings are counted on the last business day of the month, hires and separations over the whole month. The data lag: the November 3 release covers September.

The main numbers. Openings were 7.5 million, a rate of 4.5%. BLS calls the change small. AP says August was revised to 7.19 million and March was 6.9 million. Professional and business services, which include engineering, accounting and temp jobs, added the most openings. Manufacturers, shipping firms and state and local governments also posted more jobs.

Who quits and who gets laid off. Quits were 3.4 million, a rate of 2.1%, up 375,000 from a year earlier. AP says that is the most in about 18 months, up from 3.04 million in August. Layoffs and discharges were 1.6 million (1.64 million per AP), a rate of 1.0% and the fewest since March 2025.

August revisions. BLS raised August openings by 111,000 to 7.2 million and hires by 79,000 to 5.3 million. August layoffs were revised up by 127,000 to 1.8 million.

What economists say. AP notes that job openings now exceed the number of unemployed people, the reverse of a year ago. Hiring has still been sluggish for nearly three years. A ZipRecruiter economist told AP that high inflation and higher rates since the summer may hold hiring back in the coming months.

Why it matters to you. If the US job market firms up, it is easier for the Fed to keep rates high. That feeds into the dollar, bond yields and risk appetite across markets, crypto included. One month is not a trend, and the October JOLTS report is due on December 1. This is an overview, not advice.

Confirmed facts

• US job openings were 7.5 million in September 2026, a rate of 4.5%.^[1]
• Hires were 5.4 million (3.4%) and total separations 5.3 million (3.3%).^[1]
• Quits rose to 3.4 million, a rate of 2.1%; over the year quits increased by 375,000.^[1]
• Layoffs and discharges were 1.6 million, a rate of 1.0%.^[1]
• August openings were revised up by 111,000 to 7.2 million; August layoffs were revised up by 127,000 to 1.8 million.^[1]
• Openings are the highest since May; they were 6.9 million in March.^[2]
• Layoffs of 1.64 million were the fewest since March 2025; quits of 3.37 million were the most in about 18 months.^[2]
• Job openings now exceed the number of unemployed people, the reverse of a year ago.^[2]
• The October jobs report is due on Friday; FactSet data point to 65,000 new jobs and 4.2% unemployment.^[2]
• The October JOLTS report is scheduled for December 1, 2026.^[1]

Implications

• ConfirmedIn September openings and quits rose while layoffs fell.
• Our readingA firmer job market lowers the odds of a quick Fed rate cut. That is our reading.
• Our readingThis is one month of data; a trend needs several more reports. That is our reading.

Still unknown

• Whether Friday's October jobs report confirms stronger hiring
• How the Fed will read the data
• Whether the September figures will be revised in the next report

Who it affects

USA, World. People who follow the Fed, the dollar, stocks and crypto

Sources

1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary, September 2026 November 3, 2026 · official
2. Associated Press (via WKMG): US job postings jumped sharply in September, potentially a good sign for anyone seeking employment November 3, 2026 · media