March Job Openings Hit Lowest Level Since September/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Job openings in the U.S. fell to 7.2 million in March, their lowest point since September. Economic uncertainty tied to tariffs and federal job cuts is weighing on hiring prospects. Despite the drop, layoffs remained low, and workers’ willingness to quit rose modestly.
U.S. Job Openings Decline: Quick Looks
- U.S. employers posted 7.2 million openings in March.
- Lowest level since September, down from 8.1 million in March 2024.
- Openings came in below economists’ forecast of 7.5 million.
- Quit rate rose slightly, signaling some worker confidence.
- Layoffs dipped to their lowest since June 2024.
- Openings have declined steadily from a 2022 peak of 12.1 million.
- Trade wars, government cuts fueling economic uncertainty.
- Federal layoffs fell from 19,000 in February to 8,000 in March.
March Job Openings Hit Lowest Level Since September
Deep Look
U.S. Job Openings Fall to 7.2 Million Amid Trade and Policy Jitters
WASHINGTON — U.S. employers scaled back hiring in March, posting just 7.2 million job openings as trade tensions and sweeping federal policy shifts dampened economic momentum.
The Labor Department’s Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary (JOLTS) released Tuesday showed a steady decline in available jobs, down from 7.5 million in February and 8.1 million a year ago. March’s figures fell short of economists’ expectations and marked the lowest level since September 2024.
While job openings remain historically high, they have steadily dropped from their pandemic recovery peak of 12.1 million in March 2022.
Signs of Strength, But Clouds Ahead
Despite the downturn in openings, other labor market indicators suggest some resilience. The number of workers voluntarily quitting their jobs — typically a sign of confidence — rose modestly. Meanwhile, layoffs fell to their lowest level since June 2024, signaling that many employers are holding onto their existing staff.
Economist Robert Frick of the Navy Federal Credit Union sees the data as a mixed signal. “The job market is continuing to hold its own, but barely,” he said. “Hiring is steady, layoffs have dipped, but storm clouds are gathering with looming impacts from government cuts and tariff pressures.”
Trump’s Trade Policies and Workforce Overhaul Weigh Heavy
President Donald Trump’s aggressive trade tariffs and widespread federal workforce reductions led by adviser Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency are adding new layers of economic risk. Although federal layoffs eased in March — dropping from 19,000 in February to 8,000 — broader disruptions could still be on the horizon, particularly for government contractors and manufacturers.
The broader fear is that rising costs due to tariffs and slowed investment could sap economic growth, hurting hiring across sectors.
What Comes Next?
Economists warn that the coming months could reveal more strain as higher prices, weaker consumer confidence, and uncertainty over trade negotiations with China and other key partners weigh on businesses’ hiring plans.
The job market has been a pillar of strength through much of the post-pandemic recovery — but March’s numbers suggest that pillar is starting to wobble.
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