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3d ago

U.S. Job Openings Rise Unexpectedly to 7.77 Million as Government Vacancies Plunge

Private-sector demand powered the May gain as federal vacancies contracted under pressure from tariff uncertainty.

The number of available jobs rose to a six-month high in May.
FILE - A help wanted sign is posted in Lansdale, Pa., Friday, April 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
Signage for a job fair is seen on 5th Avenue after the release of the jobs report in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., September 3, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo
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Overview

  • Job openings climbed by 374,000 in May to 7.769 million, surpassing economists’ forecasts of 7.3 million.
  • Accommodation and food services added 314,000 vacancies and finance and insurance contributed 91,000, driving the private-sector surge.
  • Federal job openings fell by 39,000 to 89,000 following a February executive order from President Trump that capped federal headcount growth.
  • Overall hiring dipped to 5.50 million and layoffs declined to 1.601 million in May, lifting the job openings rate to 4.6%.
  • Companies report that uncertainty over the expiration of a 90-day reciprocal tariff pause on July 9 has made long-term hiring plans more cautious.