January 2026 layoffs hit 108,435, worst since 2009 Great Recession

U.S. employers announced 108,435 job cuts in January 2026, the highest January total since 2009's Great Recession peak, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas — up 118% from January 2025. Transportation led with 31,243 cuts as UPS eliminated 30,000 jobs after CEO Carol Tome ended Amazon's low-margin delivery contract; technology added 22,291 cuts led by Amazon's 16,000 corporate layoffs. Health care announced 17,107 cuts, its worst month since April 2020, as hospitals cited lower Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements, while job openings fell to 0.87 per unemployed worker.