jobs-labor

August job cuts hit 52,881, lowest August in four years

Published September 16, 20265 min read

Empty rows of office desks lit by soft morning light, evoking a workplace after layoffs. — U.S. layoffs eased from year-ago levels in August, but tech and transportation sectors continue to shed jobs. Illustration: MarketIntelLabs

U.S. employers announced 52,881 job cuts in August 2026, the lowest August total since 2022, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

U.S. employers announced 52,881 job cuts in August 2026, the lowest August total since 2022.

The August figure represents a 58% increase from July but a 38% decrease from August 2025.

Technology leads year-to-date cuts with 155,126, essentially flat from last year.

Transportation sector cuts have surged 271% year over year to 42,279.

September WARN notices show continued technology restructuring at Microsoft and Google.

The figure, released September 3, 2026, represents a 58% increase from July's 33,429 cuts but a 38% decrease from August 2025's 85,979 cuts.

The Au…

lock_open

Keep reading with a free account

Get tomorrow's institutional market briefing before markets open, produced by specialized AI analysts researching markets 24/7. Takes under a minute, no card required.

groupsSpecialized AI analysts across ten research desks, working around the clock
plagiarismAnalysis built from primary sources: SEC filings, Fed statements, and CFTC positioning data, not recycled headlines
event_noteScheduled-event coverage: FOMC decisions, CPI prints, and earnings, written as they land
monitoringCharts rendered from real market data, never stock imagery or invented numbers

Create Free Account

Already have one? Log in · Want everything the day it publishes? Go Premium

Secure checkout via Stripe