Which Industries Have the Highest Layoff Rates in 2026?
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2026 Industry Layoff Overview Industry Risk Rankings Technology Manufacturing Media & Entertainment Safest Industries FAQ2026 Industry Layoff Overview
The Bureau of Labor Statistics JOLTS report provides the most authoritative view of layoff activity across US industries. In 2026, we're seeing a clear split: some sectors are in full contraction mode while others remain stable or even growing.
Our industry risk scores combine BLS layoff rates with WARN Act filing volume to create a 0-100 score for each sector. Here's where things stand.
Industry Risk Rankings
Based on our latest analysis of BLS JOLTS data and WARN Act filings:
| Rank | Industry | Risk Score | Layoff Rate | 12mo Avg | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Technology | 72 | 2.8% | 2.1% | ↑ +33% |
| 2 | Manufacturing | 67 | 2.5% | 1.9% | ↑ +32% |
| 3 | Media & Entertainment | 63 | 2.4% | 1.7% | ↑ +41% |
| 4 | Telecommunications | 59 | 2.0% | 1.6% | ↑ +25% |
| 5 | Hospitality | 58 | 2.3% | 2.0% | ↑ +15% |
| 6 | Retail Trade | 55 | 2.1% | 1.8% | ↑ +17% |
Technology: The Ongoing Reckoning
The tech sector carries the highest overall risk score at 72/100, driven by a combination of aggressive WARN filings and a 33% increase in the layoff rate over the 12-month average.
Notable WARN filings in 2026 include:
- Meta Platforms - 4,000 workers (February 2026)
- Google (Alphabet) - 1,800 workers (December 2025)
- Amazon - 2,500 workers (January 2026)
The post-pandemic hiring boom created bloated headcounts that many tech companies are still correcting. Combined with AI-driven automation displacing roles, the sector faces structural headwinds beyond typical cyclical layoffs.
Manufacturing: Tariffs and Automation
Manufacturing is the second-highest risk sector at 67/100. Tesla's WARN filing for 3,200 workers in Austin and 2,800 in Fremont dominates the headlines, but the broader sector is also contracting.
The automotive sub-sector is particularly affected as EV transition costs mount and traditional assembly jobs are automated. See Detroit and Austin city pages for local impact data.
Media & Entertainment: The Streaming Correction
Media & Entertainment shows a 41% increase over its 12-month average - the steepest climb of any sector. Streaming consolidation, ad revenue declines, and content budget cuts are driving layoffs across studios, publishers, and digital platforms.
Get weekly industry risk updates
BLS data analysis and WARN filing alerts, every Monday.
Safest Industries in 2026
Not everything is doom and gloom. Several sectors show stable or improving conditions:
- Government - Risk score: 15/100. Public sector employment remains stable.
- Education - Risk score: 25/100. Steady demand for educators.
- Healthcare - Risk score: 31/100. Aging population drives sustained demand.
- Energy & Utilities - Risk score: 35/100. Green transition creating more jobs than it eliminates.
FAQ
Which industry has the highest layoff rate in 2026?
Construction has the highest raw layoff rate at 2.9%, but Technology has the highest risk score (72/100) when factoring in WARN filings and hiring trend declines.
Are tech layoffs still happening in 2026?
Yes. The technology sector continues to see elevated layoffs in 2026, with a current layoff rate of 2.8% vs. a 12-month average of 2.1%. Major WARN filings from Meta, Google, and others have been recorded.
What is BLS JOLTS data?
JOLTS stands for Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. Published monthly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it measures layoffs, hires, quits, and job openings across all major industry sectors. Learn how we use it.
Related Articles
- Tech Layoffs 2026: Which Companies Are at Highest Risk?
- How to Know If Your Company Is About to Have Layoffs
- What Is a WARN Act Notice?
Know before the news
WARN filings and risk score changes, weekly.