US Job Cuts Hit 108,000: Worst January Since 2009

U.S. employers announced 108,435 job cuts in January 2026, according to the latest report from outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, marking the highest January total since 2009 during the Great Recession, when 241,749 cuts were recorded.

This figure represents a sharp 118% increase from the 49,795 cuts announced in January 2025 and a 205% surge from December 2025’s 35,553, signaling deepening corporate caution amid economic uncertainty.

Major contributors included the transportation sector (led by UPS’s 30,000 job cuts tied to ending its Amazon partnership) and technology (driven by Amazon’s 16,000 reductions), with contract losses, market conditions, and restructuring as primary drivers.

The report also highlighted the lowest January hiring plans on record at just 5,306, underscoring employers’ pessimistic outlook for 2026 as many layoff decisions were finalized late last year.