U.S. labor demand remains broadly stable in September, with the job openings rate little changed at 4.5%. Private industry posts a 4.7% rate, while government openings vary across federal, state, local, and education segments.
Highlights
- U.S. job openings rate held steady at 4.5% in September 2026, showing minimal change from the previous month, per Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Private industry job openings rate was 4.7%, with healthcare and social assistance at 5.8% and professional and business services at 5.5%.
- Government sector posted a 3.6% job openings rate, with state and local government excluding education reaching 5.0% and state and local education at 2.3%.
September labor demand by sector
As reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics, the September 2026 job openings rate stands at 4.5%, showing little change from the previous month. The figures come from the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey and are seasonally adjusted, while data for the most recent month are preliminary.Within government, the overall job openings rate is 3.6%, with the federal level at 3.7%. State and local government, excluding education, records a 5.0% rate, while state and local education posts 2.3%.
In private industry, the job openings rate is 4.7%. Healthcare and social assistance records 5.8%, and professional and business services stands at 5.5%.
Survey methodology and market context
Job openings cover all positions that are open on the last business day of the month. The rate is calculated by dividing the number of job openings by the sum of employment and job openings, then multiplying that figure by 100.The sector breakdown suggests labor demand remains uneven across the U.S. economy, with service-oriented industries such as healthcare and professional services continuing to post higher openings rates than government overall. The preliminary September reading nonetheless points to a labor market that is largely holding its pattern from the prior month rather than shifting sharply.
We recently reported on early-career job-hopping as research-linked to stronger wage gains for young U.S. workers.
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