Prior month 6.946 million revised up to 7.240 millionJOLTs job openings for February 6.882M vs 6.918M estimateHires 4.849M vs 5.347M last monthSeparations 4.971M versus 5.144M last month Quits 2.974M vs 3.137M last monthLayoffs and discharges 1.721M vs 1.660M last month.
The JOLTs job openings fell sharply from 7.240M last month to 6.882M this month. Prior month was revised higher from 6.946M previously reported. Lower job openings is indicative of a weakening labor picture.
Here are the February 2026 (p) changes for the major categories:
Total: -358
Total private: -307
Industry Breakdown (thousands) showed that all industries show declines with the exception of professional business services:
Mining and logging: -12KConstruction: -28KManufacturing: -71KTrade, transportation, and utilities: -8KInformation: -9KFinancial activities: -28KProfessional and business services: +64
Private education and health services: -78KLeisure and hospitality: -213KGovernment: -51K
Key takeaway:
Broad-based weakness, led by leisure & hospitality (-213) and education/health (-78)Only notable gain: professional & business services (+64)
The quits rate can serve as a measure of workers willingness to or ability to leave jobs. A number of quits fell indicative of less confidence in getting another job.
Layoffs and discharges are involuntary separations initiated by the employer. The number of layoffs and discharges increased in the current month also indicative of a weaker jobs report
What is the JOLT Job Openings Report?
For background, the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, published monthly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, provides comprehensive data on labor market dynamics by tracking job openings, hires, and separations across approximately 16,400 nonfarm establishments nationwide. Released typically on the first Tuesday of each month at 10:00 a.m. ET, the report measures unmet labor demand and became a closely watched indicator after former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen highlighted its importance in 2014. A job opening is defined as a position that is vacant on the last business day of the month, has work available, could start within 30 days, and involves active external recruiting. The survey also breaks down separations into quits, layoffs and discharges, and other separations, offering insights into worker confidence and employer demand.
This article was written by Greg Michalowski at investinglive.com.