Despite the economic fallout from the Iran war and soaring energy prices, the U.S. job market shows surprising strength. Job openings in May reached 7.6 million, exceeding expectations. Layoffs increased slightly, but job quits saw only a minor uptick, indicating continued worker confidence. This resilience marks a significant rebound from a weak 2025, with employers adding an average of nearly 114,000 jobs monthly this year.

U.S. job openings stayed at a surprisingly strong 7.6 million in May as the American labor market remains resilient in the face of the economic shock from the Iran war.

Good news for job seekers: The number of available positions in the United States increased for the second month in a row.