January 30, 2026 U.S. workers are facing a job market defined by stalled hiring and a growing wave of layoffs, as companies across industries cut costs, restructure operations and redirect spending toward automation and artificial intelligence.
Economists say many employers are operating in a “no-hire, no-fire” mode, limiting new openings amid economic uncertainty. Hiring has slowed sharply, with the U.S. adding just 50,000 jobs last month, down from a revised 56,000 in November. At the same time, an expanding list of companies is reducing headcount, adding to worker anxiety about job stability.
Companies have cited a mix of pressures behind the cuts, including rising operating costs, new tariffs introduced under President Donald Trump, persistent inflation and weaker consumer sentiment, which recently fell to its lowest level since 2014. Others are continuing to unwind pandemic-era hiring surges, particularly in e-commerce, or reallocating budgets toward AI as part of broader restructurings.
One of the major job cuts happened in Amazon, with roughly 16,000 corporate roles cut this week, just three months after laying off another 14,000 employees. The company said the latest round is aimed at “removing bureaucracy,” while continuing to ramp up investment in AI. CEO Andy Jassy has previously said generative AI could reduce Amazon’s corporate workforce.
Other major layoffs announced recently
Nestlé
Nestlé said in October it would cut 16,000 jobs globally over two years as part of cost-cutting efforts tied to rising commodity prices and U.S.-imposed tariffs.
UPS
United Parcel Service announced plans to eliminate up to 30,000 operational jobs this year through voluntary buyouts and attrition. The cuts come as UPS reduces the volume of Amazon shipments it handles and follows 48,000 job reductions disclosed in 2025.
Verizon
Verizon began laying off more than 13,000 workers in November. In a memo to staff, CEO Dan Schulman said the company needed to simplify operations and “reorient” the business.
HP
HP said it expects to lay off between 4,000 and 6,000 employees as part of a long-term effort to streamline operations and adopt AI to boost productivity. The company aims to complete the cuts by the end of its 2028 fiscal year.
Microsoft
Microsoft carried out two rounds of mass layoffs last year, cutting 6,000 jobs and then another 9,000 positions. The company cited “organizational changes” as it continues heavy investment in AI.
Intel
Intel has been shedding thousands of jobs as it works to revive its business. CEO Lip-Bu Tan said the company expected to end 2025 with 75,000 core employees, down from nearly 100,000 at the end of 2024, following layoffs and attrition.
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble said last summer it would cut up to 7,000 jobs over two years, about 6% of its global workforce, as part of a restructuring effort that also coincided with tariff pressures.
Dow
Dow said it will cut about 4,500 jobs as part of an effort to streamline operations and increase its use of AI and automation. The move follows earlier reductions, including 1,500 roles eliminated in January 2025 and another 800 cuts over the summer.
Additional job cuts have been announced by General Motors, Tyson Foods, Paramount, Target, ConocoPhillips and Lufthansa Group.
