The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that January job openings in the manufacturing industry increased by about 11% year over year, to 495,000, according to its job openings and labor turnover survey data released on March 13.
Separations, however, decreased approximately 12% year over year to 294,000. Separations included 162,000 quits and 112,000 layoffs and discharges, according to the BLS. Other separations, which factor in retirement, death, disability and transfers within a company, remained flat at 20,000.
Additionally, revised data from December 2025’s JOLT report now show 301,000 separations, about a 3.2% decrease from the figure initially reported in February. Job openings also dropped nearly 2% to 426,000. Meanwhile, the number of hires declined, from 287,000 to 282,000.
Manufacturing openings, hires and separations in January 2025 and January 2026
January’s turnover and separation numbers follow BLS’ employee situation data from the same month, when the agency reported the manufacturing industry gained 5,000 jobs.
However, the sector lost 12,000 jobs in February, bumping up manufacturing unemployment by approximately 15.6%. The sector had 527,000 unemployed workers in February, compared to 456,000 the prior year.
Manufacturers have been worried about various issues, including trade, insurance, and healthcare costs, according to the National Association of Manufacturers’ first-quarter member survey, released March 12. Issues such as tariffs and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which is undergoing a review, continue to impact supply chains. Additionally, the Iran war has thrown another wrench into manufacturers’ operations, partially due to input cost increases and shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Nevertheless, 75.3% of the manufacturers surveyed reported feeling somewhat or very positive about their company’s outlook. Manufacturers expected employment to rise 1.3% during the next year. While 43.1% anticipated an increase in full-time employment, about 14.7% forecasted a reduction in employment and 42.3% predicted hiring levels would stay the same.
