Manufacturing Job Openings Climb to 584,000

Manufacturers across U.S. factories will face sharper competition for production workers as openings reach their highest level since 2023.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Employment

Manufacturing Job Openings Climb to 584,000

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Manufacturing job openings rose to 584,000 in September 2026 from 530,000 in August, the highest level since December 2023. Durable goods manufacturing openings climbed to 403,000 from 375,000, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data relevant to employers across U.S. factories.

Why it matters

The rise marks a reversal from a stretch when manufacturing openings fell for much of the Biden administration after peaking in April 2022. Openings stopped falling in April 2025, the same period higher tariffs on many imported goods were announced, and have risen continuously since November 2025, signaling stronger hiring demand for manufacturers.

Manufacturing job openings rose to 584,000 in September from 530,000 in August, while durable goods openings reached 403,000, up from 375,000. The durable goods figure remains below its July peak of 423,000.

The players

Bureau of Labor Statistics

The federal statistical agency that publishes monthly employment and job openings data, including the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey used to track manufacturing vacancies.

The details

Job openings are unfilled positions that employers are actively trying to fill, so a rise signals firms are seeking more workers. The durable goods subsector, which covers longer-lasting products, posted the second-highest figure since December 2023. Openings have now climbed for consecutive periods since November 2025, after a multiyear decline.

April 2022: Manufacturing job openings peaked during the Biden administration.
December 2023: Manufacturing openings reached a prior high before the recent rise.
April 2025: Openings stopped falling, a period that coincided with announced tariffs on many imported goods.
November 2025: Openings began rising continuously.
September 2026: Manufacturing openings rose to 584,000.

Market Landscape

Manufacturing openings fell for most of the period following their April 2022 peak before turning upward in April 2025. The current figure of 584,000 is the highest since December 2023, placing the recovery in a multiyear hiring cycle.

Manufacturers facing rising openings should expect more competition for skilled production workers and plan recruiting budgets accordingly. Human resources and finance teams should monitor wage pressure as openings climb, since sustained demand can push up labor costs.

The takeaway

Manufacturers should track monthly Bureau of Labor Statistics job openings reports to see whether the current upward trend holds in coming months. Businesses that rely on factory labor should review their hiring pipelines and compensation plans against the new level of competition for workers.