Summary
Confidence in the U.S. job market has dropped significantly as Americans head into 2026. Many workers expect the job market to worsen or remain the same, and there's a growing concern about layoffs and stagnant wages.
Key Facts
- A Monster.com survey found that 40% of U.S. workers expect the job market to get worse in 2026, and another 40% expect no improvements.
- In a previous survey last January, 46% of workers thought the job market would improve in 2025.
- The U.S. unemployment rate has risen to 4.4% from 4.0% in January when President Trump returned to office.
- Only 43% of workers plan to search for new jobs in 2026, down from 93% in 2025.
- 52% of surveyed workers believe job cuts will increase in 2026.
- In December, U.S. employers announced over 35,000 job cuts, an 8% increase compared to the previous year.
- 58% of workers are worried their salaries won't keep up with inflation, which is currently at 2.7%.
