Mass Layoffs Define 2025: Over 1.1 Million Job Cuts Across Major US Companies
The year 2025 has recorded over 1.1 million layoffs in the United States, the highest since 2020, with major companies across technology and logistics sectors implementing significant workforce reductions. Technology giants including Amazon (14,000 jobs), Intel (24,000 jobs), and UPS (48,000 jobs) have announced substantial layoffs driven by AI automation, cost reduction measures, and strategic pivots toward artificial intelligence and cloud computing infrastructure.
*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
The year 2025 has emerged as one of the most challenging periods for the global job market, with companies eliminating positions at unprecedented rates not witnessed since the pandemic. According to comprehensive data from multiple business sources and trackers, the United States alone has experienced over 1.1 million layoffs throughout the year, representing the highest number since 2020 and a substantial increase from previous year levels. The widespread workforce reductions have left hundreds of thousands of professionals searching for new employment opportunities, pursuing additional education, or completely reconsidering their career paths across various industries.
Technology Sector Bears Major Impact
The technology industry has experienced some of the most significant layoffs, with major corporations announcing substantial workforce reductions as part of strategic restructuring efforts.
| Company | Layoffs | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | 14,000 employees | Largest layoff in company history, targeting corporate positions |
| Intel | 24,000 employees | Workforce reduction from 100,000 to 75,000 core staff |
| Microsoft | 9,000+ employees | Multiple waves affecting less than 4% of 220,000 global workforce |
| 100+ positions | Cloud division design roles eliminated in October | |
| Meta | 600+ workers | Primarily AI research and development departments |
Amazon implemented its largest workforce reduction in company history, laying off approximately 14,000 corporate employees in October. The e-commerce giant cited the need to improve organizational agility in response to an AI-driven competitive landscape while reducing management layers. Intel announced plans to eliminate around 24,000 employees by year-end, reducing its core staff from approximately 100,000 to roughly 75,000 positions as part of significant restructuring under new leadership.
Microsoft experienced multiple waves of layoffs throughout 2025, affecting about 9,000 employees or less than 4% of its total 220,000 worldwide workforce. The company has prepared to eliminate approximately 6,000 additional positions across several divisions, emphasizing the need to control expenses while allocating increased funding toward cloud computing infrastructure and artificial intelligence initiatives.
Global IT Services Face Restructuring
International technology services companies have also implemented significant workforce adjustments to adapt to changing market conditions and technological shifts.
| Company | Workforce Impact | Strategic Focus |
|---|---|---|
| TCS | 6,000 layoffs completed, 6,000 more planned | AI surge adaptation |
| Accenture | Workforce reduced from 791,000 to 779,000 | AI capabilities prioritization |
| Salesforce | 4,000 customer service positions | AI-driven services transition |
| Cisco | 4,250 positions (5% of staff) | Major restructuring initiative |
| Oracle | Hundreds across multiple locations | Cloud computing and AI reallocation |
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has eliminated 6,000 workers worldwide and plans to cut an additional 6,000 positions in the upcoming fiscal year. The company currently employs fewer than 600,000 employees for the first time since 2022, having reduced its workforce by 19,755 positions in the quarter ending September 30.
Salesforce eliminated 4,000 customer service positions as part of its significant transition to AI-driven services, reducing its customer service staff from 9,000 to approximately 5,000 employees. Oracle has cut hundreds of positions across several locations to reallocate resources toward cloud computing and AI initiatives, with specific reductions including 254 positions in San Francisco and 101 in Seattle.
Logistics and Retail Sector Disruption
The logistics sector, traditionally known for robust job creation, has faced substantial disruption from automation and evolving commerce patterns. United Parcel Service (UPS) delivered the most significant shock to the industry by announcing 48,000 layoffs as part of comprehensive restructuring plans. The package delivery company will eliminate approximately 34,000 operational jobs, including thousands of delivery driver positions.
According to publicly tracked data, the technology sector alone has lost over 100,000 jobs across more than 200 organizations, though this figure may underestimate total positions lost through attrition or informal workforce reductions.
AI-Driven Automation Catalyst
The rapid adoption of automation and artificial intelligence technology has emerged as the primary driver behind mass layoffs across industries. Companies increasingly argue that AI solutions can effectively automate functions previously performed by human workers, including content moderation, logistics planning, customer support, and coding assistance. This technological shift has fundamentally altered workforce requirements and operational strategies across multiple sectors, contributing to the unprecedented scale of job eliminations witnessed throughout 2025.
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