United States labour market remained steady in August with 7.1 million job openings. This was slightly lower than July’s revised 7.3 million. Hiring stayed muted at 5.2 million, almost unchanged from the previous month. Quits stood at 3.1 million, equal to a 1.9% quit rate. Layoffs and discharges held at 1.6 million, reflecting a 1% rate. Total separations were reported at 5.1 million.
Sector trends showed mixed signals. Retail trade openings rose to 761,000 from 707,000. Leisure and hospitality openings climbed to 829,000, led by accommodation and food services at 713,000. Trade, transportation and utilities also gained, reaching 1.29 million openings. In contrast, professional and business services declined to 1.19 million openings from 1.31 million. Private education and health services fell to 1.48 million from 1.59 million. Manufacturing dropped to 522,000 from 576,000 and construction slipped to 251,000 from 299,000.
Hiring patterns were largely stable. Trade, transportation and utilities recorded 1.09 million hires. Retail trade reported 667,000 hires and leisure and hospitality posted 905,000 hires. Professional and business services improved to 935,000 hires from 899,000, while private education and health services rose to 810,000 from 790,000. The information sector weakened with 44,000 hires compared to 62,000 earlier.
The overall picture suggests a steady labour market with cautious employer sentiment. Openings remain high but hiring momentum is subdued, showing contrast across sectors.
