CNN reported on June 2, 2026 that US job openings rose sharply in April while hiring and quitting slowed, offering a mixed read on a labor market many workers fear AI could disrupt.
What CNN says the April JOLTS data showed
- Available jobs jumped to an estimated 7.62 million at the end of April, up from 6.89 million in March—the highest level since mid-2024, per Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) data cited by CNN.
- New hires and layoffs both fell after spiking in March; voluntary quits dropped to their lowest level in nearly six years, signaling worker caution.
- CNN describes a low-hire, low-fire market where postings are not always turning into offers.
- More than 90% of April’s increase in openings was in professional and business services.
- For the first time since June 2025, there were more job openings than job seekers.
AI and labor-market commentary in the piece
- Noah Yosif, chief economist at the American Staffing Association, told CNN employers are taking longer to fill roles amid rising labor costs and uncertainty.
- Yosif also said the report could push back on worries that artificial intelligence will be the “great job-killer,” adding employers are finding ways to involve humans as AI shifts responsibilities.
- Heather Long, chief economist at Navy Federal Credit Union, called the openings milestone hopeful for job seekers, especially white-collar workers in contracting industries.
- Bill Adams, chief US economist at Fifth Third Commercial Bank, cautioned against overweighting a single report for graduates finishing school in 2026.
Caveats CNN highlights
- Monthly JOLTS data can be volatile and subject to revision when May figures arrive.
- Yosif warned hiring gains could reverse if Iran-war oil supply pressures persist and the Strait of Hormuz situation remains unresolved.
Primary source: CNN — US job openings are at their highest level in nearly two years (June 2, 2026).