FX.co ★ US Job Cuts Fall in September

In September 2025, U.S. employers declared 54,064 job reductions—the lowest in the past three months—marking a decline from 85,979 in August and a 25.8% decrease year-on-year. The services sector experienced the highest number of job cuts (6,290), followed closely by the energy (5,807) and technology sectors (5,639). In the third quarter alone, planned layoffs by U.S. employers reached 202,118, representing the highest third-quarter total since 2020. Thus far this year, companies have announced a total of 946,426 job cuts, marking the highest year-to-date figure since 2020 and the fifth highest in the past 36 years. The government sector led with the most job cuts for the year, announcing 299,755, including 289,363 Federal positions affected by DOGE. Technology firms followed with announcements of 107,878 job cuts. Andy Challenger, Senior Vice President of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, remarked, “Currently, we are navigating a stagnant labor market coupled with rising costs and the advent of transformative new technology. With anticipated interest rate cuts, there might be stabilization in the job market during the fourth quarter, although certain factors could prompt employers to continue planning layoffs or delay hiring efforts.”