FX.co ★ US Job Openings Rise More than Expected

Job openings in the US increased to 6.946 million in January 2026, rebounding from a more-than-five-year low of 6.550 million in December and surpassing market expectations of 6.7 million. Despite the improvement, vacancies remained well below the average levels seen after the labor market recovered from the Covid pandemic, reinforcing the view that hiring momentum in the US economy remains subdued. Demand for workers was particularly strong in leisure and hospitality (1.041 million), private education and health services (1.539 million), and trade, transportation, and utilities (1.038 million). Meanwhile, hires inched up to 5.295 million from 5.272 million. Total separations were little changed at 5.1 million, while quits hovered around 3.1 million, compared with 3.2 million in the prior month.