Job Search Research
US Job Search & Hiring Statistics (2025-2026)
Latest hiring benchmarks show 7.1 million job openings and 5.1 million hires in November 2025, with unemployment at 4.4% in December 2025. Indeed Hiring Lab forecasts unemployment between 4.1% and 4.8% in 2026, with job postings ranging from 6.8 to 7.4 million.
Last updated: January 2026
At-a-glance benchmarks
All figures below come from the latest BLS releases and the 2026 Indeed Hiring Lab report, organized for quick citation.
| Metric | Latest reading | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Job openings (Nov 2025) | 7.1 million | BLS JOLTS |
| Job openings rate (Nov 2025) | 4.3% | BLS JOLTS |
| Hires (Nov 2025) | 5.1 million | BLS JOLTS |
| Quits (Nov 2025) | 3.2 million | BLS JOLTS |
| Layoffs and discharges (Nov 2025) | 1.7 million | BLS JOLTS |
| Unemployment rate (Dec 2025) | 4.4% | BLS Employment Situation |
| Unemployed people (Dec 2025) | 7.5 million | BLS Employment Situation |
| Long-term unemployed share (Dec 2025) | 1.9 million (26.0%) | BLS Employment Situation |
| Labor force participation (Dec 2025) | 62.4% | BLS Employment Situation |
| 2026 unemployment forecast range | 4.1% to 4.8% | Indeed Hiring Lab |
| 2026 job postings forecast range | 6.8 to 7.4 million | Indeed Hiring Lab |
| Indeed Job Postings Index (2025) | 111.7 to 101.7 | Indeed Hiring Lab |
| Indeed Wage Tracker (Sep 2025) | 2.5% YoY (down from 3.4%) | Indeed Hiring Lab |
| 2026 GDP growth consensus | 1.8% | Indeed Hiring Lab |
Job openings and hiring activity (BLS JOLTS)
- Job openings stood at 7.1 million in November 2025, with a job openings rate of 4.3%.
- Hires totaled 5.1 million, and the hires rate was 3.2%.
- Quits were 3.2 million, while layoffs and discharges were 1.7 million.
Unemployment and labor force snapshot (BLS)
- The unemployment rate was 4.4% in December 2025, with 7.5 million people unemployed.
- Long-term unemployment held at 1.9 million, representing 26.0% of the unemployed.
- Labor force participation was 62.4%, and the employment-population ratio was 59.7%.
Employer demand trends (Indeed Hiring Lab)
- Indeed's Job Postings Index fell from 111.7 on January 1, 2025 to 101.7 by the end of October 2025.
- The Indeed Wage Tracker slowed to 2.5% year-over-year by September 2025, down from 3.4% at the start of the year.
2026 outlook (Indeed forecasts)
- Blue Chip consensus GDP growth for 2026 is 1.8%.
- Estimated unemployment ranges from 4.1% to 4.8% by year-end 2026.
- Job postings are forecast between 6.8 and 7.4 million.
How to use these benchmarks as a job seeker
- Plan for longer hiring cycles when job openings are flat and hiring demand is cooling.
- Prioritize roles in sectors with sustained demand and tailor resumes to each listing to improve ATS match rates.
- Track your application volume against market conditions to set realistic weekly goals.
- Use consistent keyword alignment and quantified achievements to stand out when candidate supply rises.
Frequently asked questions
Sources and methodology
Figures reflect the most recent published releases from the sources below. Use the original reports for full definitions and methodology details.
Turn benchmarks into better applications
Use ScoutApply to match your resume to each job description and improve your ATS score before you apply.