Overview
- Challenger, Gray & Christmas, which reported Thursday, said employers announced 83,387 April cuts, a 38% rise from March.
- Technology led the month with 33,361 planned cuts and 85,411 so far this year, as firms redirect budgets to artificial intelligence projects.
- Artificial intelligence was the top stated reason for layoffs, tied to 21,490 April cuts and 49,135 year to date.
- Even with April’s jump, 2026 cuts through April total 300,749, roughly half the tally at this point in 2025.
- Announced hiring plans fell 69% to 10,049, a drop that suggests fewer near-term openings and reflects plans data that differ from ADP and BLS payroll counts.