US Job Openings Hold Steady Near 7.7 Million in October Amid Cooling Market
US job openings remained stable at approximately 7.7 million in October, reflecting a cooling labor market influenced by Federal Reserve interest rate hikes to combat inflation.
Overview
US job openings in October were reported to be steady at nearly 7.7 million, a figure consistent with the previous month's numbers, reflecting a generally stable labor market.
Despite the overall steadiness, some data indicated an unexpected increase in job openings for October, reaching a five-month high and rising by approximately 55,000 from a year ago.
This October figure is significantly lower than the peak of 12.1 million job openings observed in March 2022, illustrating a substantial cooling trend over the past year and a half.
The labor market's cooling is attributed to high interest rates set by the Federal Reserve in 2022 and 2023, implemented to combat persistent inflation.
Federal Reserve policymakers are currently meeting to consider potential cuts to the benchmark interest rate, as forecasters predict a slight rise in the unemployment rate for November.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by emphasizing a "puzzling" and "shaky" American economy, directly attributing current inflation and uncertainty to President Trump's past tariff policies. They highlight negative labor market trends and use strong evaluative language to describe the federal shutdown's impact, collectively painting a picture of an economy facing significant headwinds.
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FAQ
The steady job openings figure in October 2025 at approximately 7.7 million reflects a cooling labor market influenced by the Federal Reserve's interest rate hikes aimed at combating inflation, which slowed hiring and business spending but kept openings relatively stable compared to prior months.
The 7.7 million job openings in October 2025 represent a substantial decline from the peak of 12.1 million openings in March 2022, indicating a significant cooling trend in the labor market over the past eighteen months.
Health care, social assistance, leisure, and hospitality sectors have contributed significantly to job growth recently, while some other sectors like accommodation and food services experienced declines in job openings; overall, hiring trends are slowing with some regional and sector differences.
Federal Reserve policymakers are currently meeting to consider potential cuts to the benchmark interest rate in response to the slowing economy and labor market cooling, while forecasters expect a slight rise in the unemployment rate in the near term.
As the labor market cools further, the unemployment rate is expected to rise slightly, with slower job growth and modest declines in job openings potentially leading to more competition for jobs and a slight increase in layoffs or separations.
History
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