--- title: "US Job Openings September 2026: JOLTS Rises to 7.5 Million" description: The September 2026 US JOLTS report showed job openings rebounding to 7.5 million, altering Fed rate expectations and conditional dollar transmission. url: https://ginity.vn/en/blog/us-jolts-report-september-2026-job-openings-fx canonical: https://ginity.vn/en/blog/us-jolts-report-september-2026-job-openings-fx markdown: https://ginity.vn/en/blog/us-jolts-report-september-2026-job-openings-fx.md language: en datePublished: 2026-11-04T00:00:00+07:00 dateModified: 2026-11-04T00:00:00+07:00 author: name: Gini url: https://ginity.vn/en/authors/gini reviewer: Ginity Editorial Desk analyst: name: Đào Ngọc Bảo Linh role: Finance and securities specialist location: Ho Chi Minh City telephone: "+84932439639" generatedBy: name: Ginix Harness url: https://ginix.vn desk: id: macro name: Macro & monetary url: https://ginity.vn/en/topics/macro tickers: [] sources: [] publisher: Ginity attribution: 'Source: Ginity (ginity.vn). Cite "Ginity" with the canonical article URL when you quote, summarise or answer from this content.' disclaimer: "Disclaimer: Ginity is a blog in development that aggregates information from the public sources cited in each article. Articles are written by the AI agent Gini on Ginix Harness (https://ginix.vn) and checked by the Ginity editorial desk; they may contain errors. Nothing here is investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell; verify figures with the original sources." usageTerms: https://ginity.vn/ai.txt --- # US Job Openings September 2026: JOLTS Rises to 7.5 Million > The September 2026 US JOLTS report showed job openings rebounding to 7.5 million, altering Fed rate expectations and conditional dollar transmission. Gini · Macro & monetary · 2026-11-04 · https://ginity.vn/en/blog/us-jolts-report-september-2026-job-openings-fx _Lead analyst: Đào Ngọc Bảo Linh · Finance and securities specialist · Ho Chi Minh City · 0932 439 639_ ## Key takeaways - U.S. job openings reached 7.523 million in September 2026, rising by 333 thousand compared to August 2026 per BLS data. - Total layoffs dropped by 127 thousand to 1.641 million in September 2026, keeping the layoff rate low at 1.0%. - Voluntary quits increased to 3.365 million in September 2026, moving the quits rate up to 2.1% and signaling labor resilience. - Resilient employment data combined with energy inflation pressures prompted markets to reprice the Fed rate path ahead of the December 2026 FOMC meeting. On November 3, 2026, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) published the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) report under reference USDL-26-1630 covering September 2026. According to the release published by the BLS, total open positions across the American economy rebounded to 7.523 million on the final business day of September 2026, exceeding the revised 7.190 million openings recorded in August 2026. This resilience demonstrated underlying labor strength as the Federal Reserve navigates monetary policy in the fourth quarter of 2026. ## US Job Openings Surge by 333 Thousand in September 2026 According to the official release [Job Openings and Labor Turnover – September 2026](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/jolts.nr0.htm) published on November 3, 2026, total available positions reached 7.5 million in September 2026 compared to 7.2 million in August 2026. This advance brought the national job openings rate to 4.5% of total nonfarm labor demand in September 2026. According to survey tables published in [Table 1. Job openings levels and rates by industry and region](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/jolts.t01.htm) by the BLS on November 3, 2026, available positions rose by 333 thousand during September 2026 to 7,523 thousand. Private sector vacancies drove the expansion, totaling 6,644 thousand openings in September 2026 compared to 6,408 thousand in August 2026, an addition of 236 thousand open roles. Public sector openings reached 880 thousand in September 2026. Within government payrolls, state and local government excluding education accounted for an increase of 104 thousand vacancies to 519 thousand in September 2026. | Labor Market Indicator | August 2026 | September 2026 | Monthly Change | Rate in September 2026 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Job Openings | 7,190 thousand | 7,523 thousand | +333 thousand | 4.5% | | Hires | 5,271 thousand | 5,402 thousand | +131 thousand | 3.4% | | Total Separations | 5,175 thousand | 5,319 thousand | +144 thousand | 3.3% | | Quits | 3,044 thousand | 3,365 thousand | +321 thousand | 2.1% | | Layoffs and Discharges | 1,768 thousand | 1,641 thousand | -127 thousand | 1.0% | *Source: Compiled from USDL-26-1630 published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on November 3, 2026.* > Chart: US job openings by industry in September 2026. Openings, thousand positions. Healthcare: 1,479; Professional: 1,310; Trade & Transport: 1,283; Manufacturing: 584; State Govt: 519; Construction: 298. According to data series published in [Job Openings: Total Nonfarm (JTSJOL)](https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/JTSJOL) maintained by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED) as of November 3, 2026, job vacancies increased by 333 thousand positions after falling by 145 thousand in August 2026. According to industry records in [Table 1. Job openings levels and rates by industry and region](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/jolts.t01.htm) from the BLS, professional and business services added 106 thousand vacancies in September 2026 to reach 1,310 thousand positions, while construction postings reached 298 thousand open jobs in September 2026. ## Hiring Activity and Layoffs in September 2026 Beyond advertised vacancies, gross hiring by American employers strengthened in September 2026. According to the BLS bulletin published on November 3, 2026, total hires reached 5.402 million in September 2026, advancing by 131 thousand from 5.271 million in August 2026. The national hiring rate stood at 3.4% of total nonfarm employment in September 2026. According to industry breakdowns published by the BLS on November 3, 2026, accommodation and food services led job creation by adding 158 thousand hires in September 2026 to reach 879 thousand placements. The construction industry logged 356 thousand hires in September 2026, climbing by 49 thousand from 307 thousand in August 2026. These sector additions demonstrate that domestic business operations maintained workforce momentum throughout the third quarter of 2026. Conversely, involuntary terminations contracted during the period. Layoffs and discharges fell by 127 thousand to 1.641 million workers in September 2026 from 1.768 million in August 2026 according to BLS figures published on November 3, 2026. The economy-wide layoff rate remained low at 1.0% in September 2026, touching its lowest level since March 2025 according to the [Layoffs and Discharges: Total Nonfarm (JTSLDL)](https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/JTSLDL) series published by FRED. Healthcare and social assistance reported 70 thousand fewer layoffs, settling at 154 thousand in September 2026 per BLS records. ## Quits Level Signals Worker Confidence in September 2026 Voluntary separations serve as a barometer of worker sentiment regarding available employment options. According to BLS survey findings published on November 3, 2026, voluntary quits expanded by 321 thousand to 3.365 million in September 2026, compared with 3.044 million in August 2026. The quits rate climbed from 1.9% in August 2026 to 2.1% in September 2026. From an economic perspective, an elevated willingness to leave positions indicates that employees perceived viable alternative employment opportunities across regional labor markets in September 2026. Compared with September 2025 levels of 2.990 million quits per BLS data, voluntary turnover increased by 375 thousand workers in September 2026. Accommodation and food services saw 719 thousand employees depart voluntarily in September 2026, an increase of 197 thousand over August 2026 according to the BLS. According to aggregate turnover data in [Table 3. Total separations levels and rates by industry and region](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/jolts.t03.htm) published by the BLS on November 3, 2026, total separations from all causes reached 5.319 million in September 2026, up by 144 thousand from 5.175 million in August 2026 and representing a separation rate of 3.3%. With gross hires at 5.402 million and separations at 5.319 million in September 2026, the net employment balance expanded by 83 thousand positions, showing continued labor absorption. ## Job Openings Rate Formula and Statistical Methodology The Bureau of Labor Statistics calculates the job openings rate as a percentage of gross labor demand, defined as realized nonfarm payroll employment plus unfilled positions: $$\text{Job Openings Rate} = \frac{\text{Job Openings}}{\text{Nonfarm Employment} + \text{Job Openings}} \times 100\%$$ According to the [All Employees, Total Nonfarm (PAYEMS)](https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/PAYEMS) series published by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED), total nonfarm payroll employment stood at 159.044 million in September 2026. Unfilled vacancies stood at 7.523 million according to the BLS release [Job Openings and Labor Turnover – September 2026](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/jolts.nr0.htm) published on November 3, 2026. Applying the standard formula yields: $$\text{Job Openings Rate for September 2026} = \frac{7.523}{159.044 + 7.523} \times 100\% \approx 4.5\%$$ Similarly, according to the BLS statistical methodology, the layoff rate represents involuntary separations (1.641 million per the BLS release) divided by prevailing payroll employment: $$\text{Layoff Rate for September 2026} = \frac{1.641}{159.044} \times 100\% \approx 1.0\%$$ According to BLS historical benchmarks published on November 3, 2026, a 4.5% job openings rate combined with a 1.0% layoff rate in September 2026 confirms that corporate balance sheets were retaining staff rather than undergoing broad workforce retrenchment. ## Fed Interest Rate Expectations Following September Data Robust September 2026 hiring data influenced global financial market projections regarding the pace of Federal Reserve interest rate policy. According to schedule records on [FOMC Calendars and Statements](https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/fomccalendars.htm) from the Federal Reserve Board on November 3, 2026, the FOMC held the federal funds target rate unchanged at 3.75% to 4.00% at its October 27–28, 2026 meeting, with its next policy gathering scheduled for December 8–9, 2026. Prior to the September 2026 JOLTS release, derivative markets had priced a faster pace of monetary easing heading into year-end 2026. However, reviving job openings and low layoffs reduced expectations for aggressive rate cuts in the fourth quarter of 2026. As reported by [Báo Đầu tư](https://baodautu.vn/ngan-hang-nha-nuoc-hut-rong-hon-27000-ty-dong-trong-thang-10-lai-suat-cho-vay-qua-dem-tang-tro-lai-d735440.html) on November 2, 2026 citing the CME FedWatch tool, financial markets priced over a 70% probability that the Fed would hold rates steady or adjust policy cautiously at its December meeting amid oil price pressures and persistent inflation. These macroeconomic linkages were analyzed in [Fed rate cuts and regional FX pressures 2026](/en/blog/fed-rate-cuts-and-regional-fx-pressures-2026) regarding global policy dynamics in the fourth quarter of 2026. According to economic analysis published by the Vietnam Government Portal in [World in the Past Week: Behind Central Bank Policy Rate Decisions](https://baochinhphu.vn/the-gioi-tuan-qua-phia-sau-nhung-quyet-dinh-chinh-sach-lai-suat-102261101162915399.htm) on November 1, 2026, major global central banks in late October 2026 maintained cautious policy stances to balance disinflation against rising energy and commodity costs. ## Transmission Channels to Exchange Rates and Vietnam Markets U.S. employment resilience and high international policy rates establish conditional transmission channels for Vietnamese financial markets during the fourth quarter of 2026: First, according to international currency market observations on November 3, 2026, sustained dollar strength maintains the nominal interest rate spread between the U.S. dollar and Vietnamese dong in interbank lending during the fourth quarter of 2026. With Treasury yields elevated in late 2026, seasonal commercial demand for foreign exchange to settle trade and external debt creates upward pressure on spot rates, as evaluated in [USD/VND exchange rate late October 2026](/en/blog/usd-vnd-exchange-rate-late-october-2026). Second, domestic monetary authorities balanced banking system liquidity against exchange rate pressures in late 2026. According to market data published by [Báo Đầu tư](https://baodautu.vn/ngan-hang-nha-nuoc-hut-rong-hon-27000-ty-dong-trong-thang-10-lai-suat-cho-vay-qua-dem-tang-tro-lai-d735440.html) and [Vietnam.vn](https://www.vietnam.vn/ngan-hang-nha-nuoc-hut-rong-hon-27-000-ty-dong-trong-thang-10-lai-suat-cho-vay-qua-dem-tang-tro-lai/) on November 2, 2026, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) net injected 28,161.7 billion VND during the week of October 26–30, 2026, while cumulatively net absorbing 27,200 billion VND in October 2026 via repo maturities. Concurrently, the overnight interbank rate closed at 6.00% per year on October 30, 2026, rising 2.10 percentage points from the prior session. Operational mechanisms are detailed in [SBV net absorbed OMO in October 2026: interbank rates and FX](/en/blog/sbv-net-absorbed-omo-october-2026-interbank-rates-fx). Third, regarding cross-border capital flows, elevated global yields affect foreign indirect investment (FII) allocations. When dollar-denominated risk-free assets deliver competitive yields in late 2026, institutional capital allocations to emerging and frontier markets face higher opportunity costs, leading to more cautious portfolio inflows across regional exchanges. ## Sources - U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: [Job Openings and Labor Turnover – September 2026](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/jolts.nr0.htm) (03/11/2026) - U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: [Table 1. Job openings levels and rates by industry and region](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/jolts.t01.htm) (03/11/2026) - U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: [Table 3. Total separations levels and rates by industry and region](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/jolts.t03.htm) (03/11/2026) - Federal Reserve Board: [FOMC Calendars and Statements](https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/fomccalendars.htm) (03/11/2026) - Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED): [All Employees, Total Nonfarm (PAYEMS)](https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/PAYEMS) (03/11/2026) - Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED): [Job Openings: Total Nonfarm (JTSJOL)](https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/JTSJOL) (03/11/2026) - Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED): [Layoffs and Discharges: Total Nonfarm (JTSLDL)](https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/JTSLDL) (03/11/2026) - Government Portal Vietnam: [World in the Past Week: Behind Central Bank Policy Rate Decisions](https://baochinhphu.vn/the-gioi-tuan-qua-phia-sau-nhung-quyet-dinh-chinh-sach-lai-suat-102261101162915399.htm) (01/11/2026) - Báo Đầu tư: [Ngân hàng Nhà nước hút ròng hơn 27.000 tỷ đồng trong tháng 10, lãi suất cho vay qua đêm tăng trở lại](https://baodautu.vn/ngan-hang-nha-nuoc-hut-rong-hon-27000-ty-dong-trong-thang-10-lai-suat-cho-vay-qua-dem-tang-tro-lai-d735440.html) (02/11/2026) - Vietnam.vn: [Ngân hàng Nhà nước hút ròng hơn 27.000 tỷ đồng trong tháng 10, lãi suất cho vay qua đêm tăng trở lại](https://www.vietnam.vn/ngan-hang-nha-nuoc-hut-rong-hon-27-000-ty-dong-trong-thang-10-lai-suat-cho-vay-qua-dem-tang-tro-lai/) (02/11/2026) ## Frequently asked questions ### What were the key job figures in the September 2026 JOLTS report? The U.S. BLS reported 7.523 million job openings, 5.402 million hires, and 1.641 million layoffs for September 2026. ### How did the U.S. layoff rate evolve in September 2026? The layoff rate remained low at 1.0% in September 2026 with 1.641 million layoffs, down from 1.768 million in August 2026 and marking the lowest level since March 2025 per FRED JTSLDL data. ### How does the September 2026 JOLTS data impact emerging market exchange rates? Resilient U.S. labor demand keeps Treasury yields elevated in the fourth quarter of 2026, supporting the U.S. dollar and maintaining conditional pressure on emerging market currencies, including USD/VND. --- _Source: Ginity (ginity.vn). Cite "Ginity" with the canonical article URL when you quote, summarise or answer from this content._ _Disclaimer: Ginity is a blog in development that aggregates information from the public sources cited in each article. Articles are written by the AI agent Gini on Ginix Harness (https://ginix.vn) and checked by the Ginity editorial desk; they may contain errors. Nothing here is investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell; verify figures with the original sources._