April 2025 Layoffs Report: 105,000 Job Cuts as Tech Layoffs Surge 23,400

U.S. employers announced 105,441 job cuts in April 2025, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas, representing a 62% decline from March's historic 275,240 layoffs but still 63% higher than April 2024. The technology sector dominated April announcements with 23,400+ cuts (nearly triple March's figure), led by Intel's massive 21,000-person reduction. Federal government layoffs continued with IRS eliminating 20,000+ positions and USDA cutting 5,600 jobs as DOGE workforce reductions persisted.

April's 105,441 announced layoffs contrasts with our April 2025 Jobs Report showing the economy added 177,000 positions. Unlike March (where cuts exceeded gains), April returned to net positive employment with job gains outpacing announced layoffs by approximately 72,000. However, April marked the highest April layoff total in five years and brought year-to-date 2025 layoffs to 602,493, an 87% surge compared to the same period in 2024.

This April report reveals a labor market shift: as federal government cuts moderated from March's peak, technology sector layoffs surged dramatically. Intel's 21,000 cuts alone represent the single largest tech layoff of 2025 to date. For workers across sectors, April demonstrated that while overall layoffs declined from March's extraordinary level, restructuring continues at historically elevated rates with technology bearing increased pressure.

The Big Picture: April Layoffs by the Numbers

Challenger, Gray & Christmas reported significant April layoff activity:

Total Announced Layoffs: 105,441 job cuts
Month-over-Month: -62% from March 2025 (275,240 cuts)
Year-over-Year: +63% from April 2024 (historical April data)
Historical Context: Highest April total in five years (since April 2020)
Year-to-Date: 602,493 total layoffs (+87% vs. 2024 YTD)
Leading Sector: Technology with 23,400+ cuts (22% of total)
Second Place: Government with ongoing IRS, USDA, DOGE cuts
Third Place: Retail, Services continuing restructuring

Context: Jobs Gained vs. Jobs Lost

The 105,441 announced layoffs alongside 177,000 jobs added returns to positive net employment:

Jobs added: +177,000 (BLS Employment Situation)
Announced layoffs: 105,441 (Challenger data)
Announced net: Positive ~72,000 after accounting for announced cuts
Tech impact: 23,400 technology cuts represent 13% of job gains
Year-to-Date (Jan-Apr): 602,493 layoffs announced in first four months

Unlike March's negative net, April returned to positive territory with job gains exceeding announced cuts. However, April's 105,441 still represents significantly elevated layoffs compared to historical April averages. Many April announcements will convert to actual job losses in May, June, or beyond. See our analytics dashboard for sector-level trends.

Technology Sector: 23,400 Cuts (Nearly Triple March)

Technology companies announced 23,400+ layoffs in April, representing 22% of total cuts and nearly tripling March's 15,055 technology layoffs. This April surge marks the highest monthly tech layoffs of 2025 to date, bringing Q1+April technology cuts to 60,497.

Key Details:

April Technology Cuts: 23,400+ announced layoffs
Month-over-Month: +55% from March's 15,055
Year-to-Date (Jan-Apr): 60,497 total technology cuts
Pattern: Dramatic surge after sustained Q1 pressure
Focus: Major companies implementing large-scale restructuring

Notable April Technology Announcements:

Intel: 21,000 employees, largest tech layoff of April and 2025 to date, major restructuring and cost-cutting effort
Microsoft: 10,000 employees across cloud, gaming, and hardware sectors, continued optimization
Meta: 8,000 employees, ongoing efficiency efforts despite AI investments
Expedia: Approximately 3% of workforce, primarily mid-level positions in product and technology teams
Electronic Arts: 300-400 employees, including ~100 at Respawn Entertainment
NetApp: 700 jobs (6% of workforce), efficiency improvements
Automattic, Turo: Additional cuts contributing to April total

Sector Analysis:

The 23,400 April cuts represent a dramatic technology sector escalation after three months of sustained but stable layoffs. Intel's 21,000 alone accounts for 90% of April tech layoffs and signals fundamental restructuring at one of the industry's largest companies. Combined factors driving April's tech surge:

Intel's Transformation: Massive 21,000-person reduction indicates major strategic shift, likely tied to manufacturing challenges, competitive pressures, and profitability requirements
AI Reallocation Intensifies: Companies like Meta cutting 8,000 despite AI investments, suggesting AI creating net job losses rather than reallocation
Cloud Maturation: Microsoft's 10,000 cuts across cloud, gaming, hardware show maturing markets requiring margin improvement
Performance Management: Continued rigorous evaluation, elimination of underperformers
Economic Uncertainty: Companies preparing for potential economic slowdown by reducing costs proactively

Technology workers face intensifying pressure in April. Intel's 21,000 cuts alone flood the market with experienced engineers, product managers, and technical specialists. Displaced workers should emphasize AI capabilities, consider emerging areas (quantum computing, edge AI, cybersecurity), or explore technology roles in stable sectors like healthcare IT, financial technology, or government contractors (though government uncertainty creates risk there too).

Government Sector: IRS, USDA Lead Continued DOGE Cuts

Federal government layoffs continued in April, though at reduced scale compared to March's 216,670 cuts. The IRS implemented the month's largest government reduction with 20,000+ employees terminated, while USDA announced 5,600 cuts and headquarters closure.

Key Details:

IRS Layoffs: 20,000+ employees (20-25% of workforce)
IRS Civil Rights Office: Near-elimination with 75% of staff cut, remainder reassigned
USDA Cuts: 5,600 employees
USDA Headquarters: D.C. office closure, relocation to three regional hubs
Initiative: DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) ongoing
Cumulative (Jan-Apr): Approximately 300,000+ federal positions announced for elimination

Strategic Context:

April's government cuts show DOGE continuing systematic federal workforce reduction, though at slower pace than March's historic 216,670. The IRS layoffs raise significant concerns about tax collection capacity, audit effectiveness, and taxpayer services during filing season. Civil rights office elimination sparked criticism about reduced oversight and enforcement.

USDA's 5,600 cuts and headquarters closure signal geographic restructuring alongside workforce reduction. Moving from Washington D.C. to three regional hubs aims to place employees closer to agricultural regions served, though critics warn of institutional knowledge loss and coordination challenges.

Impact on Federal Workers:

For federal employees, April continued Q1's uncertainty but at moderated intensity. IRS workers faced 20-25% workforce reduction during tax season, creating operational stress and workload pressures for remaining staff. USDA employees confronted both layoffs and mandatory relocations, forcing difficult decisions about family, housing, and career continuity.

Cumulative federal cuts (Jan-Apr: ~300,000 announced) represent approximately 12% of the 2.4 million civilian federal workforce. This unprecedented peacetime reduction creates widespread anxiety across all agencies as employees anticipate potential future cuts.

Intel's 21,000 Cuts: Single Largest 2025 Layoff

Intel's 21,000-person layoff represents the largest single company layoff of 2025 to date, dwarfing Meta's January 3,600, Workday's February 1,750, and Southwest's March 1,750. This massive reduction signals fundamental challenges at one of the semiconductor industry's most established companies.

Intel Context:

Company Scale: Intel employs approximately 110,000+ globally, making 21,000 cuts roughly 19% of workforce
Strategic Challenges: Lost manufacturing leadership to TSMC and Samsung, struggled in mobile/AI chips, faced intense AMD competition
Financial Pressure: Declining profitability, expensive fabrication investments, government funding contingencies
Restructuring Goal: Cost reduction, focus on core competencies, improve margins

Industry Implications:

Intel's 21,000 cuts carry broader technology industry significance:

Semiconductor Sector Stress: Even established chip companies facing intense pressure from changing markets, manufacturing costs, global competition
U.S. Manufacturing Concerns: Intel received U.S. government support for domestic chip production (CHIPS Act), yet implementing major cuts raises questions about manufacturing jobs sustainability
Talent Redistribution: 21,000 experienced semiconductor engineers, designers, manufacturing specialists entering market, potentially benefiting competitors or startups
Supply Chain Impacts: Intel's restructuring affects entire semiconductor ecosystem from equipment suppliers to customers

Other Sectors: Retail, Services, Manufacturing

Retail Sector:

Retail continued sustained restructuring in April, though specific monthly totals less prominent than Q1's dramatic numbers. Year-to-date retail layoffs reached 75,802 through May (274% increase), indicating persistent sector transformation through store closures, e-commerce shifts, and automation.

Services Sector:

Services Cuts: 44,000 jobs (80% increase year-over-year)
Drivers: Economic uncertainty, reduced consumer spending, efficiency initiatives
Impact: Broader economic stress affecting service-oriented businesses

Notable April Announcements:

Chevron: 9,000 employees, energy sector restructuring
U.S. Cellular: 4,100 (post-T-Mobile acquisition, redundancy elimination)
Northvolt: 3,300 (battery manufacturer restructuring)
STMicroelectronics: 2,800 (semiconductor sector cuts)
Telus: 2,000 (telecommunications optimization)

Year-to-Date 2025: 602,493 Layoffs (+87% vs. 2024)

April completes the first third of 2025 with extraordinary layoff totals:

Year-to-Date Total: 602,493 announced layoffs (Jan-Apr)
Year-over-Year: +87% increase compared to Jan-Apr 2024
Monthly Breakdown: Jan 49,795 + Feb 172,017 + Mar 275,240 + Apr 105,441
Government Share: Approximately 300,000+ federal cuts (50% of YTD total)
Technology Share: 60,497 cuts (10% of YTD total)
Hiring Decline: New position announcements remain depressed at historic lows

The 602,493 year-to-date layoffs already exceed many full-year totals from previous years. At current pace, 2025 could reach 1.5+ million announced layoffs, making it one of the highest layoff years on record outside pandemic (2020) or financial crisis (2008-2009).

Understanding April's 62% Decline from March

The dramatic 62% month-over-month decrease (275,240 in March to 105,441 in April) primarily reflects government layoff moderation rather than overall labor market improvement:

March vs. April Comparison:

Factor	March	April
Government Cuts	216,670 (79% of total)	~25,000 estimated (24% of total)
Technology Cuts	15,055 (5% of total)	23,400 (22% of total)
Other Private	43,515 (16% of total)	57,041 (54% of total)
Dominant Driver	DOGE Phase 2	Intel + tech surge

The 169,799 decrease from March (275,240 - 105,441) breaks down roughly as:

Government reduction: ~191,000 decrease (more than explains total decline)
Technology increase: ~8,000 increase (offsetting)
Other sectors increase: ~13,000 increase (offsetting)

April's "decline" entirely reflects government layoff moderation. Private sector layoffs actually increased, driven by Intel's massive cut and other technology restructuring. The 105,441 total remains 63% higher than April 2024, indicating elevated layoff environment continues despite March's extraordinary peak.

What This Means for Workers

For Technology Workers:

Intense Competition: 23,400 April cuts plus 37,097 Q1 total (60,497 YTD) flooding market with tech talent
Intel Impact: 21,000 semiconductor engineers, designers, manufacturing specialists seeking new roles
AI Skills Essential: Growing divide between AI-capable workers (demand) and traditional roles (oversupply)
Sector Transitions: Consider healthcare technology, financial services tech, or emerging areas
Extended Timelines: Job searches taking 4-6 months+ given talent surplus

For Federal Employees:

Continued Risk: 300,000+ announced cuts YTD suggest Q2-Q3 reductions continuing
IRS Specific: 20,000+ cuts during tax season create operational stress for remaining staff
Geographic Upheaval: USDA and other agencies relocating, forcing family/career decisions
Private Sector Transition: Federal skills transferable but salary adjustments likely required
Contractor Caution: Government contractors still vulnerable to budget cuts and reduced spending

For All Job Seekers:

Record Competition: 602,493 laid-off workers (YTD) entering talent pools
Sector Selectivity Critical: Target growing sectors (healthcare steady, some financial services)
Financial Preparation: 6-12 month emergency fund essential given elevated layoff risk
Network Actively: Referrals increasingly important as employers selective
Skill Development: Continuous learning, certifications, emerging technology expertise valuable
Geographic Flexibility: Consider relocation to regions with stronger job markets

Looking Ahead: May and Beyond

Several factors will influence May layoff trends:

Near-Term Indicators:

Technology Stabilization: Whether April's Intel-driven surge moderates or signals sustained tech pressure
Government Cuts: DOGE Phase 3 potential, additional agency restructuring
Q1 Earnings Impact: Companies reporting results may announce additional restructuring
Economic Indicators: Consumer spending, GDP growth, inflation influencing business decisions
Intel Implementation: Whether 21,000 cuts occur rapidly or phase through Q2-Q3

Announced Future Cuts:

Many April announcements specify future implementation dates, meaning actual job losses will occur in May, June, or beyond. Intel's 21,000, Microsoft's 10,000, and Meta's 8,000 represent forward-looking intentions that will convert to actual separations over coming months, creating rolling employment impacts through Q2 and Q3 2025.

Potential Moderating Factors:

Government Stabilization: If DOGE enters maintenance phase, government cuts may moderate further
Healthcare Hiring: Sector continues adding jobs, offsetting losses elsewhere
Economic Resilience: If consumer spending, GDP remain strong, companies may slow cuts
Tight Labor Market: Low unemployment (4.2%) suggests underlying demand for workers

Methodology: Understanding Challenger Data

What Challenger Tracks:

Challenger, Gray & Christmas compiles announced layoffs from:

Company press releases and official statements
SEC filings (8-K, 10-K, 10-Q)
WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) notices
News media reports from credible outlets
Government announcements and agency communications
Direct company communications

Important Limitations:

Announced vs. Actual: April's 105,441 represents announced intentions, not completed separations
Implementation Timing: Layoffs may occur immediately or months after announcement
Coverage Gaps: Excludes unreported terminations, small company cuts, individual firings
Public Announcements Only: Many companies reduce headcount quietly without public disclosure

JOLTS Data (Coming June):

The Bureau of Labor Statistics' JOLTS report will provide complete April separation data in June, including:

Total layoffs and discharges (all involuntary separations, not just announced)
Quits (voluntary separations)
Total separations (involuntary + voluntary)

JOLTS typically shows 1.5-1.7 million total layoffs and discharges monthly, far exceeding Challenger's announced figures.

Conclusion: Technology Surges as Government Moderates

April 2025's 105,441 announced layoffs (down 62% from March, up 63% year-over-year) mark a transitional month where federal government cuts moderated from March's peak while technology sector layoffs surged dramatically. Intel's 21,000 cuts alone dominated April announcements and represent 2025's largest single company layoff to date. Combined with Microsoft's 10,000 and Meta's 8,000, April's 23,400 technology layoffs signal intensifying pressure on even the industry's largest, most established companies.

For workers, April demonstrated that labor market stress persists despite March's extraordinary government cuts moderating. Technology professionals face particular challenges with 60,497 year-to-date layoffs flooding the market with experienced talent. Federal employees continue navigating uncertainty with 300,000+ announced cuts affecting approximately 12% of the civilian workforce. Private sector workers in retail, services, and manufacturing confront ongoing restructuring at elevated rates.

The 105,441 announced cuts alongside 177,000 jobs added (per our April Jobs Report) return to positive net employment after March's negative month. However, year-to-date 602,493 layoffs (+87% vs. 2024) indicate 2025 shaping up as an extraordinarily high layoff year. At current pace, full-year 2025 could exceed 1.5 million announced layoffs, approaching pandemic and financial crisis levels.

Q2 2025 will reveal whether April's 105,441 represents new baseline or temporary moderation before potential May resurgence. Intel's 21,000 cuts implementation timeline, continued DOGE activity, and technology sector stability will determine whether layoffs stabilize at historically elevated levels or surge again. For workers across all sectors, April reinforced the importance of financial preparedness, continuous skill development, and strategic career navigation in 2025's challenging employment landscape.

Data sources: Challenger, Gray & Christmas Job-Cut Report (April 2025), Reuters, Forbes, Trading Economics, Wikipedia federal layoffs tracking. For sector employment trends, see our analytics dashboard. For specific company tracking, visit our layoffs tracker.

Article Updates

May 1, 2025: Initial publication based on Challenger, Gray & Christmas report showing 105,441 total announced job cuts in April 2025 (down 62% from March but up 63% vs. April 2024). Technology sector led with 23,400+ cuts including Intel 21,000 (largest 2025 single layoff), Microsoft 10,000, Meta 8,000. Federal government continued DOGE cuts (IRS 20,000+, USDA 5,600). Highest April total in five years. Year-to-date: 602,493 layoffs (+87% vs. 2024). Article establishes April as technology-dominated month with Intel restructuring driving major surge, government moderating from March peak but remaining historically elevated.