US-based employers announced 48,307 job cuts in February 2026, and that is down ~72% compared to the same month last year. Some good news is that through February, employers announced 156,742 job cuts in total. That marks the lowest January-to-February total since 2022. But when you put things into better context, it is the fifth-highest January-February total since 2009.
The tech sector once again is the one seen slashing jobs the most with 11,039 job cuts in February. That brings the year-to-date total to 33,330 in 2026 so far. Of note, this marks a 51% increase to the 22,042 cuts in this sector announced in the same period last year.
Challenger notes that:
"Tech is responding to a number of pressures right now. AI is the big story, but there are also global regulatory concerns, a slowdown in digital advertising driven by tariffs and economic uncertainty, and higher costs to both employ workers and access funding, forcing companies to make difficult decisions."
Adding that:
"February’s dip is a nice reprieve from the elevated job cut plans to start the year. With US involvement in a growing war in Iran, the end of Q1 may bring more layoff plans as companies tighten belts amid uncertainty and higher costs."
