The past week has once again seen a significant surge in U.S. tech worker layoff notifications, highlighting the ongoing volatility in the industry. Leading the charge on the Crunchbase Tech Layoffs Tracker this week is digital media behemoth Meta. According to a detailed report from Reuters, the Menlo Park, California-based company is preparing for a substantial reduction in its global workforce, with a new round of layoffs slated to commence on May 20. This particular wave is projected to impact approximately 8,000 employees, representing a considerable 10% of Meta’s total workforce. Adding to the apprehension, sources cited in the report indicate that Meta is also anticipating further job cuts in the latter half of the year, signaling a sustained period of restructuring. Given the global scope of these impending cuts, the exact number of U.S.-based workers who will be affected remains an area of keen interest and ongoing assessment.

Not far behind, Seattle-based e-commerce and cloud computing giant Amazon also confirmed an upcoming layoff event. A report in Newsweek revealed Amazon’s plans to close a key logistics center situated in Homestead, Florida. The company stated its intention to convert the site for modernization, aiming to update the building safely and efficiently. These layoffs are scheduled to commence in early July and are expected to continue through the end of September, affecting around 616 workers. In a gesture of potential re-engagement, affected employees will reportedly have an opportunity to return to the site once the refurbishment process is complete, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the job displacement.

This week’s tracker also regrettably includes the permanent shutdown of a venture-backed entity. Pepper Pay, an Aventura, Florida-based payment fintech, filed for Chapter 7 liquidation in late March, effectively ceasing operations. An American Banker report last week brought this closure to light, underscoring the harsh realities faced by some startups in the current economic climate. The precise number of workers impacted by Pepper Pay’s closure remains unclear. Furthermore, the total amount of funding the company had managed to raise before its demise is also not publicly known. However, its bankruptcy filing paints a stark financial picture, listing approximately $665,000 in assets against a significantly larger sum of more than $3.4 million in liabilities, indicating severe financial distress.

New Additions to the Tracker

The Crunchbase Tech Layoffs Tracker is a dynamic resource, constantly updated to reflect the latest workforce adjustments across the U.S. tech landscape. New companies are added weekly as layoff announcements are made public. While this week’s specific additions beyond Meta, Amazon, and Pepper Pay are not detailed here, the tracker continuously incorporates data from various sectors within tech, ranging from software and hardware to fintech and digital media, ensuring a comprehensive overview of the industry’s employment trends.

Tech Layoffs: US Companies That Cut Jobs In 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 And 2026

The recent announcements from Meta and Amazon are not isolated incidents but rather a continuation of a multi-year trend of significant workforce reductions in the U.S. tech sector. The cumulative data underscores a period of profound re-evaluation and restructuring for many companies.

By the numbers:

• Layoffs during the week ended April 22, 2026: At least 9,730 U.S. tech sector employees were laid off or scheduled for layoffs, per a Crunchbase News tally. This figure, dominated by Meta’s announced cuts, reflects the persistent challenges faced by even the largest tech players.
• In 2025: Around 127,000 workers were let go from U.S.-based tech companies according to our tally. This number, while lower than the peak of 2023, still represented a substantial trimming of workforces as companies continued to optimize operations and respond to economic pressures.
• In 2024: At least 95,667 workers at U.S.-based tech companies lost their jobs, according to a Crunchbase News tally. This year saw a slight moderation compared to the previous year but confirmed that layoffs were far from over, with many firms adjusting to a post-pandemic reality.
• In 2023: More than 191,000 workers in U.S.-based tech companies (or tech companies with a large U.S. workforce) were laid off in mass job cuts. This marked the peak of the recent layoff wave, driven by a confluence of factors including overhiring during the pandemic boom, rising interest rates, and a tightening venture capital market.
• In 2022: More than 93,000 jobs were slashed from public and private tech companies in the U.S. This year represented the initial onset of the widespread layoff trend, catching many by surprise after years of robust growth and expansion.

Companies with the biggest workforce reductions in 2025

While the full list of companies with the largest workforce reductions in 2025 is continually being compiled, the trend indicates a continued focus on efficiency across various tech sub-sectors. These lists often include a mix of established tech giants adjusting their long-term strategies and venture-backed startups struggling to extend their runways in a more challenging funding environment. Such companies often appear in our "New Additions" section as their layoff news breaks, eventually contributing to the cumulative figures for the year.

Methodology

This tracker is specifically designed to include layoffs conducted by U.S.-based companies or those with a strong operational presence within the United States, and it is meticulously updated at least bi-weekly, often more frequently as significant news emerges. Our scope encompasses both innovative startups and large, publicly traded companies heavily reliant on technology. We also include companies headquartered elsewhere that maintain a substantial workforce in the United States, such as Klarna, even when the precise impact on their U.S. workforce due to global layoffs is not fully itemized.

All layoff and workforce figures presented are carefully compiled best estimates, derived from a robust combination of public media reports, our own investigative reporting, direct social media posts from affected employees or company announcements, and data from reliable crowdsourced databases like layoffs.fyi. To maintain accuracy and provide the most relevant context, we recently updated our layoffs tracker to reflect the most recent round of layoffs each company has conducted. This iterative approach allows us to track layoff trends more quickly and precisely, which may explain occasional adjustments in our most recent numbers. If an employee headcount cannot be unequivocally confirmed to meet our stringent reporting standards, it is transparently noted as "unclear."

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a layoff?
A layoff fundamentally refers to the termination of an individual’s employment, typically initiated by the employer. It can be either a temporary cessation of work, often due to a lack of available tasks or projects, with the expectation of recall, or a permanent termination. In the context of the tech industry over the past few years, layoffs overwhelmingly fall into the permanent category, driven primarily by strategic cost-saving measures, restructuring, or shifts in business priorities rather than a temporary dip in workload. A "mass layoff" signifies a significant reduction in a company’s workforce within a short period, often triggered by broader economic downturns, industry-specific challenges, or a company’s need for radical operational changes.

Why are tech companies doing layoffs?
Tech layoffs began to surge dramatically in 2022 and have persisted through 2023, 2024, and into 2025 and 2026 for a complex array of reasons. A primary driver was the unprecedented hiring spree during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many companies, especially those in e-commerce, collaboration software, and digital services, rapidly expanded their employee headcounts, sometimes nearly doubling them, to meet explosive consumer and business demand fueled by stay-at-home mandates. As daily life returned to normal and pandemic-driven growth decelerated, these companies found themselves significantly overstaffed relative to new demand.

Beyond the pandemic correction, macroeconomic factors played a critical role. Rising inflation and aggressive interest rate hikes by central banks made capital more expensive, tightened credit conditions, and dampened consumer and business spending. This led to slowing sales and increasing fears of a recession, prompting even large tech employers like Salesforce, Google parent Alphabet, and Meta to downsize after years of rapid, growth-fueled expansion. For venture-backed startups, the landscape shifted dramatically as venture funding fell significantly from its 2021 peak. Faced with a "funding winter," these startups cut jobs as a critical measure to reduce operational costs, preserve their dwindling cash reserves, and extend their "runway" in hopes of securing future funding rounds. Some, like Pepper Pay, ultimately ran out of cash and faced bankruptcy or outright shutdown.

What were the biggest tech layoffs of 2024?
In 2024, Intel Corp. led the charge in terms of sheer numbers among U.S. tech employers, laying off more than 15,000 employees as the semiconductor giant navigated market shifts and restructuring efforts. Closely following was electric-car maker Tesla, which cut over 14,000 roles, reflecting a period of intense competition and evolving production strategies. Networking powerhouse Cisco also made significant cuts, shedding more than 10,000 total roles. These figures underscore the broad impact of economic pressures across diverse segments of the tech industry.

Looking back to 2023, Amazon’s layoffs were the most extensive, impacting 16,000 roles across various divisions. Alphabet, the parent company of Google, implemented cuts affecting approximately 12,000 employees. Microsoft’s layoffs totaled about 10,000 workers in 2023, a figure mirrored by Facebook parent Meta, which underwent significant restructuring under its "year of efficiency" mandate. Alongside these giants, numerous venture-backed tech startups also conducted layoffs as venture capital investment continued its sharp decline from the 2021 peak, leading to falling startup valuations and a greater emphasis on profitability over rapid expansion.

Are more tech layoffs coming?
Yes, it is highly probable that more layoffs are on the horizon. While there are some indications that the sheer volume of layoffs might be tapering off from the peaks of 2023, experts consulted by Crunchbase News anticipate that job cuts in the tech sector will continue for the foreseeable future. Both large tech corporations and smaller startups are still contending with persistent economic headwinds, including inflationary pressures, high interest rates, and geopolitical uncertainties. Seed and early-stage startups, in particular, may find themselves compelled to conduct further layoffs as a strategic necessity to extend their cash runways within a persistently difficult venture funding environment. The trend, which began with a noticeable increase in early 2022, ramped up significantly in 2023, abated somewhat in 2024, and has continued into 2025 and 2026, suggests that the industry is still in a phase of recalibration.

What are signs that a company is planning layoffs?
Several indicators can suggest a company might be contemplating or preparing for layoffs:

1. Hiring Freezes or Slowdowns: A sudden halt or significant reduction in recruitment activities across most departments is a strong early warning.
2. Restructuring Announcements: Companies often reorganize departments or leadership structures before announcing layoffs.
3. Poor Financial Results: Consecutive quarters of disappointing earnings, declining revenue growth, or missed financial targets can prompt cost-cutting measures.
4. Declining Stock Price: For publicly traded companies, a sustained drop in share value often puts pressure on management to improve profitability.
5. Aggressive Cost-Cutting Measures: Beyond personnel, cuts in travel, perks, office space, or project budgets can signal deeper financial distress.
6. Leadership Changes: High-level executive departures or new leadership brought in specifically for "efficiency" can precede layoffs.
7. Project Cancellations or Delays: Shelving major initiatives or delaying product launches to conserve resources.
8. Increased Focus on "Efficiency" and "Productivity": Management rhetoric shifting heavily towards these terms can sometimes foreshadow workforce reductions.

When will layoffs stop?
Predicting an exact end to the current wave of tech layoffs is challenging, as it depends on a complex interplay of macroeconomic conditions, venture capital market recovery, and individual company performance. Layoffs may slow down or become less frequent when inflation is consistently under control, interest rates stabilize or decrease, consumer and business spending rebound, and venture funding markets regain robust health. Companies that have successfully right-sized their operations and found sustainable growth paths will also contribute to a stabilization of employment. However, the tech industry is inherently dynamic, and some level of workforce adjustment will always be a part of its evolution.

How many recent tech layoffs have there been?
The scale of recent tech layoffs has been unprecedented in modern times. The surge began with the 2022 market correction, which saw an estimated 93,000 U.S. tech workers laid off. This figure more than doubled in 2023, with approximately 191,000 U.S. tech employees losing their jobs, according to our Crunchbase Tech Layoffs Tracker. While the pace abated in 2024, with around 95,000 reported tech layoffs, and continued into 2025 and 2026, the cumulative impact has been substantial. It’s important to note that many companies do not disclose precise layoff figures, and paradoxically, some companies continue to hire for critical roles even while making cuts in other areas, underscoring the dynamic and sometimes contradictory nature of the tech job market.

Is selling the company a good option to avoid layoffs?
For struggling startups or companies facing severe financial distress, selling the company (through an acquisition or merger) can sometimes be an alternative to mass layoffs or outright closure. However, it’s not a guaranteed avoidance of job cuts. Acquisitions often involve redundancies, where duplicate roles are eliminated as the acquiring company integrates the new entity. While a sale might prevent a complete shutdown and save a portion of the workforce, it’s rare for an acquisition to occur without some level of restructuring and personnel changes. The primary goal for the acquiring company is usually to achieve synergies, which often includes optimizing headcount.

What jobs are being cut in tech layoffs?
Tech layoffs have impacted virtually every department within companies, though the emphasis can shift. Initially, during the early phases of the layoff wave, roles in recruiting, human resources, and marketing were often among the first to be cut, as companies paused hiring and scaled back growth initiatives. However, as the layoffs continued, even core engineering teams, product development, and sales departments began to see significant reductions. For instance, many layoffs from large tech giants, particularly in 2023, notably affected software engineers, a stark contrast to earlier periods where engineers were often considered "untouchable."

Google cut roles across its sales, recruiting, product, and engineering teams. Amazon’s layoffs included jobs in its AWS cloud unit, at its social video platform Twitch, and within its advertising department. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg famously indicated that the company’s recruiting department would be among the first to experience job cuts during their "year of efficiency." More recently, roles associated with projects deemed non-core or less profitable, experimental divisions, or those with less direct revenue generation potential have been vulnerable. The demand for specialized skills, particularly in areas like Artificial Intelligence and machine learning, continues to be robust, suggesting a strategic shift in hiring priorities.

Where can I read recent tech layoff news?
For continuous updates and in-depth analysis of the evolving tech layoff landscape, follow all of our tech layoffs news here and utilize the comprehensive layoffs tracker above to monitor which companies are implementing job cuts.

Where can I see layoffs in the last 24 hours?
While the Crunchbase Tech Layoffs Tracker is not updated precisely every 24 hours, it is meticulously updated weekly, and often more frequently, with the latest significant job cuts announced by U.S. tech employers. This ensures that you have access to the most current and relevant data on workforce reductions in the sector.

Which companies are hiring for open tech jobs?
Despite the widespread layoffs, many tech companies continue to actively hire for open roles, reflecting the dynamic nature of the industry and a strategic reallocation of resources. Crunchbase offers a powerful "Actively Hiring" filter, which allows users to identify companies with multiple open positions, indicating a period of growth or strategic recruitment. This tool is invaluable for job seekers navigating the current market. You can find more information about Crunchbase’s Actively Hiring data and how to discover companies with numerous open roles through our support resources. Stay informed about all job market-related news by visiting our dedicated section here.

Can I cite the Crunchbase Tech Layoffs Tracker?
Yes, you are welcome to cite the Crunchbase Tech Layoffs Tracker in your work. Please ensure that you properly attribute the information to Crunchbase News and include a direct link to this Tech Layoffs Tracker page for reference.