Entry-Level Job Market in the US: Week of November 8, 2026 - Openings Surge by 24%

A strong October jobs report and a significant increase in new entry-level openings marked a positive turn for the market this week. FirstHire tracked 68,435 new entry-level roles, a 24% jump from the prior week, while the latest US jobs report showed hiring that beat expectations.

This report breaks down the numbers from FirstHire's data, the latest hiring news, and actionable steps for your job search for the week ending November 8, 2026.

Openings this week

FirstHire tracked 68,435 new entry-level job openings (0-2 years of experience) in the United States over the last seven days. This represents a 24% increase from the 55,029 openings posted in the previous week, marking a significant acceleration in hiring.

• No-experience roles: Of the total openings, 40,910 (about 60%) explicitly required no previous work experience. This is a substantial increase in absolute numbers from the 33,301 no-experience roles last week.
• Remote and hybrid work: The number of new remote roles held steady at 3,806, a slight dip from last week's 3,862. An additional 2,866 roles were for hybrid work. Together, remote and hybrid positions make up just under 10% of all new entry-level openings.
• Internships: The market for internships is also heating up as companies prepare for the summer 2027 season. FirstHire tracked 1,723 new internship postings, an increase from 1,548 the week prior. Many programs for summer 2027 are now accepting applications.

Who is hiring

A total of 20,874 companies posted entry-level jobs this week. The top employers were a mix of retail giants, staffing firms, and tech companies.

Top companies by new openings: - Walmart: 420 - Strive Solutions: 339 - Domino's: 339 - CyberCoders: 315 - Amazon: 286 - SpaceX: 263 - Jobot: 244

Top cities for new openings: New York City continues to dominate the entry-level market, with more than double the openings of the next closest city. - New York: 2,371 - Houston: 898 - Chicago: 879 - Austin: 754 - San Francisco Bay Area: 687 - Dallas: 685

Top role categories: Sales and business development roles saw the most new openings this week, followed by finance and customer-facing positions. - Sales and business development: 5,223 - Finance and accounting: 4,190 - Customer support: 4,001 - Software engineering: 2,634 - Engineering (non-software): 2,015

What it pays

Based on a sample of job postings that included salary information, FirstHire provides the following insights into entry-level compensation.

FirstHire found the median annual salary midpoint was $83,000 across a sample of 4,998 postings. For hourly roles, the median midpoint was $23.16 per hour, based on a sample of 4,961 postings. These figures represent the middle of the salary range provided by the employer and can vary significantly based on location, industry, and specific skills.

Hiring news this week

October Jobs Report Beats Expectations The U.S. economy added 165,000 jobs in October, far exceeding economists' expectations of around 65,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics report on November 6. The unemployment rate ticked down to 4.1%. Hiring was strong in professional and business services, health care, and manufacturing. This positive economic signal suggests a resilient job market heading into the end of the year.

Layoff Announcements at a Three-Year Low for October U.S. employers announced 43,994 job cuts in October, the lowest total for the month since 2023, according to a report from Challenger, Gray & Christmas. While the tech sector still leads in total cuts for the year, its monthly total was the lowest of 2026. The primary reason cited for cuts has shifted from AI to broader market and economic conditions. However, much of the announced hiring was for seasonal roles, with Amazon planning to bring on 300,000 holiday workers.

Visa and Immigration Policy Updates Several updates to visa rules relevant to entry-level international talent are in motion. As of November 9, 2026, USCIS will only accept the new version of Form I-129 for work visa petitions like the H-1B. Meanwhile, public comment periods for proposed rules that could eliminate the 60-day grace period for work visa holders after a job ends and add significant fees for OPT are closing around November 10-13. In September, an Executive Order directed agencies to consider an employer's layoff history when reviewing H-1B petitions.

Internship Deadlines Approaching Several major internship programs have deadlines in the coming weeks and months. The Dow Jones News Fund's summer 2027 application is due November 11, 2026. The White House Internship Program's summer 2027 application will be posted on December 7, 2026, with a deadline of January 4, 2027. NASA's summer 2027 internship application has a deadline of March 1, 2027.

What to do this week

1. Capitalize on the hiring surge. With a 24% increase in openings, now is the time to be active. Dedicate time to submitting tailored applications, focusing on the high-volume categories like sales, finance, and customer support if they match your skills. Start your search on the main FirstHire entry-level jobs page.

1. Update your resume for high-demand locations. If you are open to relocation, focus your search on top-hiring cities like New York, Houston, and Chicago. Research the cost of living and tailor a version of your resume that highlights skills relevant to the dominant industries in those metros.

1. Finalize your Summer 2027 internship applications. Many internship application windows for accounting, marketing, and general business roles are open from November to January. Use this week to polish your resume, request letters of recommendation, and submit applications for programs with upcoming deadlines. You can find current openings on our internships page.

1. Broaden your search beyond remote-only roles. With fully remote jobs making up less than 6% of new openings, limiting your search can significantly reduce your options. Be open to hybrid and in-office positions to access the other 90% of the market. You can still explore options on our entry-level remote jobs page, but consider it one part of a wider strategy.

FAQ

Why did the number of jobs jump so much this week?

Such a large increase can be caused by several factors. It may reflect companies opening up new headcount after finalizing Q4 budgets, a surge in seasonal hiring extending beyond retail, or simply weekly volatility in posting schedules. The strong October jobs report suggests underlying economic strength that supports increased hiring.

Are these jobs really entry-level if they require 1-2 years of experience?

Employers often define "entry-level" as a category for candidates with 0-2, and sometimes up to 3, years of experience. This data includes roles asking for up to 2 years. Don't be discouraged if you don't meet the experience requirement perfectly. If you have relevant skills from internships, projects, or coursework, you should still consider applying.

How can I make my application stand out?

With thousands of roles available, focus on quality over pure quantity. For each application, tailor your resume to include keywords from the job description. Write a short, direct cover letter that explains why you are a good fit for this specific role at this specific company. Whenever possible, use numbers to show the impact you had in past projects or jobs, even if they were academic or volunteer positions.