U.S.-based employers announced 45,849 job cuts in June, down 53% from the 97,006 cuts announced in May. June’s total is down 4% from the 47,999 cuts announced in the same month last year, and marks the lowest monthly total since December 2025, according to a report released Wednesday from global outplacement and executive coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
Through June, employers have announced 443,604 job cuts, down 40% from the 744,308 cuts announced in the first half of 2025. It is the second-highest January-to-June total since 2020, trailing only last year’s government-driven surge. This is the fourth time this year job cuts were lower than the corresponding month one year earlier.
Employers announced 226,242 job cuts in the second quarter of 2026, up 4% from the 217,362 cuts announced in the first quarter. It is down 9% from the 247,256 cuts announced in the second quarter of 2025.