In January, America faced a wave of job cuts. Employers announced 108,435 layoffs, more than double the 49,795 from the same month last year. This surge is the highest for January since 2009, a time when the financial crisis was hitting hard. The outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas provided these startling numbers.
Notably, UPS announced 30,000 cuts as it decreased its partnership with Amazon. Amazon itself is letting go of 16,000 employees, closing some retail stores and trimming its management teams.
Andy Challenger, a leader at the firm, pointed out that while job cuts are common in the first quarter of the year, these figures are particularly alarming. Employers also planned to hire only 5,306 workers in January, the lowest rate recorded for this month since 2009. In December, that number was nearly double at 10,496.
The economic climate hasn’t helped. Elevated tariffs and ongoing inflation are causing significant concerns among economists.
Interestingly, California’s job cuts slowed down in January. The state reported only 8,286 job losses, a drop from the massive layoffs it experienced last year in tech and entertainment industries. For example, in 2025, companies like Intel, Salesforce, Meta, and Disney laid off thousands. Apple also saw layoffs that year, although they tapered by year-end.
In comparison, California led all states last year with 175,761 job losses. Remarkably, the District of Columbia was the only place with more layoffs, seeing about 300,000 federal workers let go due to efficiency measures proposed by the Trump administration. California’s unemployment rate rose to 5.6% but found some relief, dropping to 5.5% by December just before the new year brought fresh challenges.
In January of this year, Georgia topped the chart with 31,415 layoffs, followed closely by Michigan and Washington, while California ranked fourth.
This raises questions about not just the numbers but the impact on communities and industries. Layoffs can strain local economies. Experts predict that as the tech sector continues to evolve, we might see a shift in job types and requirements.
For those wondering about job security in such uncertain times, it’s crucial to stay informed and adaptable. Skills in high demand now could make a significant difference.
For more on employment trends and strategies, refer to the report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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California, job listings, Job cuts, Andy Challenger, outplacement firm, announced layoffs
