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Layoffs Are Quietly Rising in These 8 Industries: What Workers Over 50 Should Know

Older workers often face unique job-related risks.

By Roxana Loomes , Edited by Laura Hohenstein

Updated April 26, 2026

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Layoffs are no longer limited to one struggling industry. They're spreading across the economy, affecting sectors from tech to government. U.S. employers announced more than 1.1 million layoffs in 2025, one of the highest levels since 2020, according to a December 2025 report from outplacement firm Challenger, Grey & Christmas.

For workers over 50, the stakes are even higher. Last January, AARP reported that 38 million older adults were still in the workforce, needing continued income to cover rising living costs.

Older workers are more likely to both hold higher-paying roles and struggle to get ahead financially after job loss. Here are the industries where layoffs are rising and what you can do to protect yourself.

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Technology

The tech industry is at the forefront of layoff trends. Companies embrace automation and artificial intelligence more than any other sector.

Crunchbase reports that roughly 127,000 tech workers lost their jobs in 2025 alone. For older workers, the risk often comes down to compensation and skill shifts. They tend to earn more, making them prime targets for cost-cutting.

At the same time, changes in skill requirements often make it harder to re-enter the workforce without retraining.

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Government and public sector

For decades, government jobs have been considered bulletproof, but recent developments have changed that assumption.

Challenger found that, in 2025, public service roles were among the hardest hit, with more than 300,000 positions eliminated through layoffs and restructuring. Older workers make up a larger share of the public workforce compared to other age groups, according to AARP.

Warehousing and logistics

Automation is a boon to the warehousing and logistics industry. Investments in robotics can cut costs by reducing the need for human labor.

Many older workers in this sector hold senior roles that are not immune to layoffs. In fact, the Challenger report showed that layoffs were up 317% from the previous year in 2025.

Retail

As retail shifts more toward e-commerce, layoffs show no signs of slowing down. Stores have closed or restructured, increasing job losses in recent years. Add to that higher prices, tariff uncertainty, and slower consumer spending, and you have a recipe for disaster.

Older workers in management roles are often the first to go when companies struggle to avoid bankruptcy.

Financial services

Layoffs in financial services are also driven by automation. Visual Capitalist found that 49,000 jobs were lost in 2025 as banks and fintech firms tried to maximize profits.

Traditional banking saw larger cuts, but fintech has also been affected, with the same report mentioning about 1,800 layoffs in fintech alone. These reductions are often concentrated in higher-paying roles, usually held by workers over 50.

Media and entertainment

Media layoffs are the direct result of this industry's struggles and contraction in recent years. The Challenger report found that 17,163 jobs (a 15% increase from the previous year) were lost in 2025.

Mid- and senior-level roles held by media veterans are often among the first to go. At the company level, major newsrooms like the Washington Post eliminated one-third of their staff in 2025 after losing millions in previous years.

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Manufacturing

Between automation and economic uncertainty, manufacturing also experienced multiple consecutive months of job declines, a slowdown in hiring, and growing instability in 2025.

One key risk for older workers in manufacturing is having experience tied to legacy systems. They may struggle harder than other age groups to transition to similar roles.

Hospitality

While hospitality hiring initially surged after the pandemic, it's now cooling off. Job openings and hiring activity have declined, reflecting softer overall demand.

Since most entry-level jobs in hospitality tend to skew younger, layoffs are less likely to disproportionately affect workers over 50. Still, the risk remains.

Industries less likely to lay off older workers

Some industries tend to offer more stability for older workers, either because of labor shortages, experience-based roles, or slower disruption from automation.

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Health care and social assistance

This sector is on track to add nearly 1.9 million jobs each year until 2034, more than any other industry, according to the BLS.

With an aging population, many roles are likely to remain in high demand. This steady growth can translate to greater job stability for experienced older workers.

Education

Education is another relatively stable area, particularly at the K-12 and postsecondary levels. Millions of workers are employed nationwide, and there is consistent demand for teachers and support staff.

Experience and tenure, which favor older employees, are highly valued in education roles.

Utilities sector

The utilities sector, including electricity, water, and energy, is another field where layoffs are less frequent. These jobs are tied to essential services, and many roles require specialized knowledge. Older, experienced workers are harder to replace with automation.

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Professional services

Consulting, accounting, and legal work offer more flexibility and resilience for older workers. These services rely heavily on expertise and relationships rather than physical labor or rapidly changing skills.

Why workers over 50 face higher risks

The biggest factor is simple: cost.

Older workers are more likely to hold higher-paying roles, and once they're out of work, the road back can be longer. The Guardian reports that workers over 60 spend 50% more time finding a new job compared to workers under 30. Additionally, age bias and changing skill requirements can make re-entering the workforce even more difficult.

What you can do to protect yourself

Layoffs are out of your control, but there are ways to reduce your risk and improve your chances of bouncing back.

One of the most important steps is staying current with in-demand skills. Building multiple income streams can provide a buffer. Many seniors are turning to consulting, part-time work, and self-employment to remain financially viable.

It's also critical to keep your network active. Many senior-level jobs are filled through connections rather than job boards.

Bottom line

While layoffs are rising across multiple industries, the impact isn't evenly distributed. Workers over 50 face greater risks in tech, media, finance, and government, where higher-paying roles are often the first to go.

Once you understand which industries offer more stability, you can stay ahead, adapt to changes, and better protect your financial future. One way to grow your wealth is to focus on alternative income streams, even if your job seems insulated from layoffs.

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