Job openings across the U.S. grew to 7.4 million in April 2025, according to the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary (JOLTS) report. The JOLTS report, which provides insights into the number of job openings, hires, quits, and layoffs, offers a detailed snapshot of labor demand in the U.S.  

The latest report  shows a slight uptick from 7.2 million jobs reported in March. The number of job openings also beat predictions of 7.1 million, according to Seeking Alpha.

7.4 Million Job Openings in the United States  

Job openings have decreased by 901,000 over the past year, reflecting a softening trend in labor demand.  

In April, job openings spiked across several key industries, including:  

• Professional and business services (+171,000) 
• Trade, transportation, and utilities (+54,000) 
• Private education and health services (+115,000) 

Other sectors saw a regression from March, including:

• Finance and Insurance (-12,000)  
• Manufacturing (-16,000)  
• Accommodation and food services (-135,000)

Despite a rise in the most recent month of reporting, job openings have remained relatively flat over the past few months. The total number of job openings in the U.S. is down 117,000 since the final month of 2024. 

Hiring Activity Picks Up Slightly in April

The number of hires rose to 5.6 million in April from 5.4 million in March, with the hire rate ticking up to 3.5 percent from 3.4 percent in the previous month. 

The sectors that experienced the most notable changes in hiring were:  

• Professional and Business Services (+69,000) 
• Accommodation and Food Services (+106,000)
• Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-65,000)
• Finance and Insurance (-31,000)

Layoffs Spike while Quits Fall Amid Ongoing Uncertainty 

Total separations, which include quits, layoffs, discharges, and other separations, increased by 105,000 in April.   

Quits, often regarded as a measure to watch in order to better understand employee confidence, fell by 150,000.  

Layoffs and discharges, meanwhile, increased by 196,000 to 1.79 million. It was the highest jump in layoffs and discharges reported by the BLS since July 2024. 

Sectors that saw the greatest jump in layoffs and discharges in April included: 

• Professional and Business Services (+82,000)
• Private Education and Health Services (+53,000)
• Accommodation and Food Services: (+57,000)

What Does It All Mean?

April’s job openings data was certainly a welcome sight, as the numbers reported by BLS exceeded predictions despite ongoing uncertainty in the broader U.S. economy.  

According to Allison Shrivastava, an economist with Indeed Hiring Lab, the data was “surprisingly decent.” However, Shrivastava characterized the labor market as “distressingly gridlocked” while warning “the market can’t keep steadily cooling off forever before it just turns cold.” 

Other economists agreed, including Carl Weinberg, chief economist for High Frequency Economics. Weinberg told Reuters: “We will call this report another indication of stasis in U.S. companies in the face of tariff uncertainty.” 

While the BLS JOLTS report paints a picture of where the job market stood on the last day of April, the BLS Employment Situation report will reveal the first look at May when it is released on June 6. 

How We Can Help  

Roth Staffing closely monitors the labor market to provide you with the insights and support you need to make sound decisions in any kind of conditions. 

For Employers  

Partnering with the right staffing company can make all the difference in challenging times. Roth Staffing can help you:  

• Build flexible teams with temporary, temporary-to-hire, or direct hire solutions.  
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• Manage hiring costs with scalable staffing solutions tailored to your budget. 

If you’re looking for a trusted partner to aid in your hiring efforts, contact us today. 

For Job Seekers  

Whether you’re new to the job market or considering a career switch, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Our team can help you:  

• Access exclusive roles with leading employers.  
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Take the next step in your career with our support. Start your search now.  

Sources: BLS, Indeed Hiring Lab, SeekingAlpha, Reuters