The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) tells us how many job openings there are each month, how many workers were hired, how many quit their job, how many were laid off, and how many experienced other separations (which includes worker deaths).
July
Next update: August 2021
• July 07, 2021
Below, EPI senior economist Elise Gould offers her initial insights on today’s release of the Jobs and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) for June. Read the full Twitter thread here.
The layoffs rate continued to trend downwards while the hires rate softened and the quits rate fell. It’s clear the monthly data exhibits some volatility, but the labor market over the last few months continues to move in the right direction.
2/n pic.twitter.com/NBeut1IAIp— Elise Gould (@eliselgould) July 7, 2021
Using the last three months of data by sector to smooth data volatility, it’s clear that there are still many sectors with far more unemployment workers than job openings. To be clear, these comparisons only include those who are in the official measure of unemployment.
4/n pic.twitter.com/yHZfUaH83f— Elise Gould (@eliselgould) July 7, 2021
Today's #JOLTS data are for May. What we know from the latest jobs report is that the labor market continued to pick up steam in June. Subsequent reports will show that this less optimistic report was a temporary blip on the way to a stronger economy.https://t.co/2bKFqKGWDA
6/n— Elise Gould (@eliselgould) July 7, 2021
Quick reminders about the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS):
- JOLTS data provide information on all pieces that go into the net change in the number of jobs. These components include hires, layoffs, voluntary quits, and other job separations (which includes retirements and worker deaths). Putting those components together reveals the overall (or net) change.
- JOLTS data provide information about the end of one month to the end of the next, whereas the monthly employment numbers provide information from the middle of one month to the middle of the next.
Hires, quits, and layoff rates, 2000–2021
| date | hires | quits | layoffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-12-01 | 4.1 | 2.2 | 1.5 |
| 2001-01-01 | 4.3 | 2.4 | 1.7 |
| 2001-02-01 | 4 | 2.3 | 1.4 |
| 2001-03-01 | 4.2 | 2.3 | 1.6 |
| 2001-04-01 | 3.9 | 2.4 | 1.4 |
| 2001-05-01 | 4.1 | 2.3 | 1.5 |
| 2001-06-01 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 1.5 |
| 2001-07-01 | 4 | 2.2 | 1.5 |
| 2001-08-01 | 4 | 2.2 | 1.5 |
| 2001-09-01 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.6 |
| 2001-10-01 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.8 |
| 2001-11-01 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.7 |
| 2001-12-01 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.5 |
| 2002-01-01 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 1.5 |
| 2002-02-01 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.5 |
| 2002-03-01 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.4 |
| 2002-04-01 | 3.8 | 2 | 1.5 |
| 2002-05-01 | 3.7 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| 2002-06-01 | 3.7 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| 2002-07-01 | 3.8 | 2 | 1.6 |
| 2002-08-01 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.5 |
| 2002-09-01 | 3.7 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| 2002-10-01 | 3.7 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| 2002-11-01 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 1.5 |
| 2002-12-01 | 3.7 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| 2003-01-01 | 3.9 | 1.9 | 1.6 |
| 2003-02-01 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| 2003-03-01 | 3.4 | 1.8 | 1.5 |
| 2003-04-01 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 1.5 |
| 2003-05-01 | 3.6 | 1.8 | 1.6 |
| 2003-06-01 | 3.6 | 1.8 | 1.6 |
| 2003-07-01 | 3.6 | 1.7 | 1.6 |
| 2003-08-01 | 3.6 | 1.7 | 1.7 |
| 2003-09-01 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 1.5 |
| 2003-10-01 | 3.8 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| 2003-11-01 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 1.5 |
| 2003-12-01 | 3.8 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| 2004-01-01 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 1.6 |
| 2004-02-01 | 3.7 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| 2004-03-01 | 4 | 2 | 1.6 |
| 2004-04-01 | 3.9 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| 2004-05-01 | 3.8 | 1.8 | 1.5 |
| 2004-06-01 | 3.8 | 2 | 1.4 |
| 2004-07-01 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.4 |
| 2004-08-01 | 3.8 | 2 | 1.5 |
| 2004-09-01 | 3.8 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| 2004-10-01 | 3.9 | 1.9 | 1.4 |
| 2004-11-01 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| 2004-12-01 | 3.9 | 2 | 1.5 |
| 2005-01-01 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| 2005-02-01 | 4 | 2 | 1.6 |
| 2005-03-01 | 4 | 2.1 | 1.6 |
| 2005-04-01 | 4 | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| 2005-05-01 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| 2005-06-01 | 4 | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| 2005-07-01 | 4 | 2 | 1.4 |
| 2005-08-01 | 4 | 2.2 | 1.4 |
| 2005-09-01 | 4.1 | 2.3 | 1.5 |
| 2005-10-01 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
| 2005-11-01 | 4 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| 2005-12-01 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
| 2006-01-01 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 1.3 |
| 2006-02-01 | 4 | 2.2 | 1.4 |
| 2006-03-01 | 4.1 | 2.2 | 1.4 |
| 2006-04-01 | 3.8 | 2 | 1.4 |
| 2006-05-01 | 4 | 2.2 | 1.5 |
| 2006-06-01 | 4 | 2.2 | 1.3 |
| 2006-07-01 | 4.1 | 2.2 | 1.4 |
| 2006-08-01 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 1.3 |
| 2006-09-01 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| 2006-10-01 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 1.4 |
| 2006-11-01 | 4 | 2.2 | 1.4 |
| 2006-12-01 | 3.8 | 2.2 | 1.3 |
| 2007-01-01 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
| 2007-02-01 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| 2007-03-01 | 4 | 2.2 | 1.4 |
| 2007-04-01 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| 2007-05-01 | 4 | 2.2 | 1.4 |
| 2007-06-01 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| 2007-07-01 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
| 2007-08-01 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 1.5 |
| 2007-09-01 | 3.9 | 1.9 | 1.6 |
| 2007-10-01 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
| 2007-11-01 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.4 |
| 2007-12-01 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.4 |
| 2008-01-01 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
| 2008-02-01 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
| 2008-03-01 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.4 |
| 2008-04-01 | 3.6 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
| 2008-05-01 | 3.4 | 1.9 | 1.4 |
| 2008-06-01 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.6 |
| 2008-07-01 | 3.4 | 1.8 | 1.5 |
| 2008-08-01 | 3.4 | 1.8 | 1.6 |
| 2008-09-01 | 3.3 | 1.8 | 1.5 |
| 2008-10-01 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 1.7 |
| 2008-11-01 | 3 | 1.6 | 1.7 |
| 2008-12-01 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 1.8 |
| 2009-01-01 | 3.1 | 1.5 | 1.9 |
| 2009-02-01 | 3 | 1.5 | 1.9 |
| 2009-03-01 | 2.9 | 1.4 | 1.9 |
| 2009-04-01 | 2.9 | 1.3 | 2 |
| 2009-05-01 | 2.9 | 1.3 | 1.7 |
| 2009-06-01 | 2.8 | 1.3 | 1.7 |
| 2009-07-01 | 3 | 1.3 | 1.7 |
| 2009-08-01 | 2.9 | 1.2 | 1.6 |
| 2009-09-01 | 3 | 1.2 | 1.7 |
| 2009-10-01 | 3 | 1.3 | 1.6 |
| 2009-11-01 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 1.5 |
| 2009-12-01 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 1.6 |
| 2010-01-01 | 3 | 1.3 | 1.4 |
| 2010-02-01 | 3 | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| 2010-03-01 | 3.3 | 1.4 | 1.5 |
| 2010-04-01 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 1.3 |
| 2010-05-01 | 3.4 | 1.4 | 1.3 |
| 2010-06-01 | 3.1 | 1.5 | 1.6 |
| 2010-07-01 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 1.7 |
| 2010-08-01 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| 2010-09-01 | 3.1 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| 2010-10-01 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 1.3 |
| 2010-11-01 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| 2010-12-01 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| 2011-01-01 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| 2011-02-01 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 1.3 |
| 2011-03-01 | 3.4 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| 2011-04-01 | 3.3 | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| 2011-05-01 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| 2011-06-01 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| 2011-07-01 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| 2011-08-01 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| 2011-09-01 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| 2011-10-01 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| 2011-11-01 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| 2011-12-01 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| 2012-01-01 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.3 |
| 2012-02-01 | 3.4 | 1.6 | 1.4 |
| 2012-03-01 | 3.4 | 1.6 | 1.3 |
| 2012-04-01 | 3.3 | 1.6 | 1.4 |
| 2012-05-01 | 3.4 | 1.6 | 1.5 |
| 2012-06-01 | 3.3 | 1.6 | 1.4 |
| 2012-07-01 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 1.3 |
| 2012-08-01 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| 2012-09-01 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 1.3 |
| 2012-10-01 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| 2012-11-01 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| 2012-12-01 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.3 |
| 2013-01-01 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 1.2 |
| 2013-02-01 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 1.2 |
| 2013-03-01 | 3.2 | 1.6 | 1.3 |
| 2013-04-01 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 1.3 |
| 2013-05-01 | 3.4 | 1.6 | 1.3 |
| 2013-06-01 | 3.3 | 1.6 | 1.3 |
| 2013-07-01 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 1.3 |
| 2013-08-01 | 3.5 | 1.7 | 1.3 |
| 2013-09-01 | 3.5 | 1.7 | 1.4 |
| 2013-10-01 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 1.2 |
| 2013-11-01 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 1.2 |
| 2013-12-01 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 1.3 |
| 2014-01-01 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 1.3 |
| 2014-02-01 | 3.4 | 1.8 | 1.3 |
| 2014-03-01 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 1.2 |
| 2014-04-01 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 1.3 |
| 2014-05-01 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 1.2 |
| 2014-06-01 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 1.3 |
| 2014-07-01 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.3 |
| 2014-08-01 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 1.2 |
| 2014-09-01 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.2 |
| 2014-10-01 | 3.7 | 1.9 | 1.3 |
| 2014-11-01 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.2 |
| 2014-12-01 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 1.3 |
| 2015-01-01 | 3.6 | 2 | 1.3 |
| 2015-02-01 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.2 |
| 2015-03-01 | 3.6 | 2 | 1.4 |
| 2015-04-01 | 3.7 | 1.9 | 1.3 |
| 2015-05-01 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.2 |
| 2015-06-01 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.3 |
| 2015-07-01 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.2 |
| 2015-08-01 | 3.6 | 2 | 1.2 |
| 2015-09-01 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.4 |
| 2015-10-01 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.3 |
| 2015-11-01 | 3.8 | 2 | 1.2 |
| 2015-12-01 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| 2016-01-01 | 3.6 | 2 | 1.3 |
| 2016-02-01 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| 2016-03-01 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.3 |
| 2016-04-01 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| 2016-05-01 | 3.6 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| 2016-06-01 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| 2016-07-01 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| 2016-08-01 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| 2016-09-01 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.1 |
| 2016-10-01 | 3.6 | 2.1 | 1.1 |
| 2016-11-01 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| 2016-12-01 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| 2017-01-01 | 3.8 | 2.2 | 1.2 |
| 2017-02-01 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| 2017-03-01 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 1.2 |
| 2017-04-01 | 3.6 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| 2017-05-01 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| 2017-06-01 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 1.3 |
| 2017-07-01 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| 2017-08-01 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| 2017-09-01 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 1.3 |
| 2017-10-01 | 3.8 | 2.2 | 1.2 |
| 2017-11-01 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| 2017-12-01 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 1.1 |
| 2018-01-01 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
| 2018-02-01 | 3.8 | 2.2 | 1.2 |
| 2018-03-01 | 3.8 | 2.2 | 1.2 |
| 2018-04-01 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| 2018-05-01 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| 2018-06-01 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| 2018-07-01 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| 2018-08-01 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| 2018-09-01 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| 2018-10-01 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| 2018-11-01 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.3 |
| 2018-12-01 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| 2019-01-01 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.1 |
| 2019-02-01 | 3.8 | 2.4 | 1.2 |
| 2019-03-01 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.1 |
| 2019-04-01 | 4 | 2.3 | 1.3 |
| 2019-05-01 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| 2019-06-01 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| 2019-07-01 | 4 | 2.4 | 1.2 |
| 2019-08-01 | 3.9 | 2.4 | 1.2 |
| 2019-09-01 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.3 |
| 2019-10-01 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| 2019-11-01 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| 2019-12-01 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.3 |
| 2020-01-01 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| 2020-02-01 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 1.3 |
| 2020-03-01 | 3.4 | 1.9 | 8.6 |
| 2020-04-01 | 3 | 1.6 | 7.2 |
| 2020-05-01 | 6.2 | 1.7 | 1.6 |
| 2020-06-01 | 5.6 | 1.9 | 1.6 |
| 2020-07-01 | 4.5 | 2.3 | 1.3 |
| 2020-08-01 | 4.6 | 2.1 | 1.1 |
| 2020-09-01 | 4.2 | 2.3 | 1.1 |
| 2020-10-01 | 4.2 | 2.4 | 1.2 |
| 2020-11-01 | 4.2 | 2.3 | 1.5 |
| 2020-12-01 | 3.8 | 2.4 | 1.3 |
| 2021-01-01 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| 2021-02-01 | 4 | 2.4 | 1.2 |
| 2021-03-01 | 4.2 | 2.5 | 1.1 |
| 2021-04-01 | 4.2 | 2.8 | 1 |
| 2021-05-01 | 4.1 | 2.5 | 0.9 |
Notes: Shaded areas denote recessions. The hires rate is the number of hires during the entire month as a percent of total employment. The layoff rate is the number of layoffs and discharges during the entire month as a percent of total employment. The quits rate is the number of quits during the entire month as a percent of total employment.
Source: EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey
Total hires, layoffs, and quits, 2000-2021
| date | hires | quits | layoffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-12-01 | 5426 | 2882 | 2018 |
| 2001-01-01 | 5722 | 3245 | 2220 |
| 2001-02-01 | 5303 | 3053 | 1855 |
| 2001-03-01 | 5528 | 3054 | 2133 |
| 2001-04-01 | 5204 | 3163 | 1883 |
| 2001-05-01 | 5410 | 2993 | 2029 |
| 2001-06-01 | 5109 | 2878 | 2015 |
| 2001-07-01 | 5244 | 2947 | 2038 |
| 2001-08-01 | 5223 | 2928 | 2011 |
| 2001-09-01 | 4954 | 2703 | 2107 |
| 2001-10-01 | 5078 | 2795 | 2319 |
| 2001-11-01 | 4914 | 2560 | 2255 |
| 2001-12-01 | 4829 | 2559 | 1922 |
| 2002-01-01 | 4855 | 2845 | 1907 |
| 2002-02-01 | 4801 | 2572 | 1978 |
| 2002-03-01 | 4706 | 2493 | 1883 |
| 2002-04-01 | 4928 | 2624 | 1956 |
| 2002-05-01 | 4857 | 2537 | 1967 |
| 2002-06-01 | 4869 | 2522 | 2015 |
| 2002-07-01 | 4946 | 2561 | 2102 |
| 2002-08-01 | 4871 | 2561 | 1923 |
| 2002-09-01 | 4879 | 2521 | 2022 |
| 2002-10-01 | 4798 | 2423 | 1935 |
| 2002-11-01 | 4792 | 2403 | 1944 |
| 2002-12-01 | 4893 | 2501 | 2007 |
| 2003-01-01 | 5058 | 2429 | 2109 |
| 2003-02-01 | 4714 | 2490 | 2015 |
| 2003-03-01 | 4470 | 2394 | 1949 |
| 2003-04-01 | 4600 | 2279 | 1998 |
| 2003-05-01 | 4678 | 2291 | 2072 |
| 2003-06-01 | 4682 | 2315 | 2076 |
| 2003-07-01 | 4639 | 2271 | 2062 |
| 2003-08-01 | 4666 | 2195 | 2162 |
| 2003-09-01 | 4799 | 2354 | 1932 |
| 2003-10-01 | 4902 | 2415 | 1969 |
| 2003-11-01 | 4767 | 2411 | 1951 |
| 2003-12-01 | 4984 | 2444 | 2007 |
| 2004-01-01 | 4900 | 2354 | 2037 |
| 2004-02-01 | 4788 | 2448 | 1985 |
| 2004-03-01 | 5227 | 2582 | 2065 |
| 2004-04-01 | 5152 | 2534 | 2010 |
| 2004-05-01 | 4976 | 2428 | 1914 |
| 2004-06-01 | 5009 | 2659 | 1887 |
| 2004-07-01 | 4891 | 2609 | 1885 |
| 2004-08-01 | 5013 | 2586 | 1974 |
| 2004-09-01 | 5062 | 2531 | 2027 |
| 2004-10-01 | 5149 | 2550 | 1903 |
| 2004-11-01 | 5181 | 2789 | 2037 |
| 2004-12-01 | 5153 | 2695 | 1951 |
| 2005-01-01 | 5201 | 2732 | 2008 |
| 2005-02-01 | 5276 | 2651 | 2068 |
| 2005-03-01 | 5273 | 2747 | 2188 |
| 2005-04-01 | 5362 | 2741 | 1957 |
| 2005-05-01 | 5271 | 2763 | 2021 |
| 2005-06-01 | 5376 | 2754 | 2015 |
| 2005-07-01 | 5328 | 2735 | 1898 |
| 2005-08-01 | 5409 | 2957 | 1905 |
| 2005-09-01 | 5493 | 3046 | 2032 |
| 2005-10-01 | 5124 | 2863 | 1873 |
| 2005-11-01 | 5344 | 2895 | 1769 |
| 2005-12-01 | 5294 | 2849 | 1923 |
| 2006-01-01 | 5271 | 2945 | 1784 |
| 2006-02-01 | 5474 | 2965 | 1882 |
| 2006-03-01 | 5524 | 2956 | 1888 |
| 2006-04-01 | 5215 | 2778 | 1853 |
| 2006-05-01 | 5498 | 3002 | 1991 |
| 2006-06-01 | 5455 | 3042 | 1817 |
| 2006-07-01 | 5573 | 3047 | 1860 |
| 2006-08-01 | 5373 | 3056 | 1775 |
| 2006-09-01 | 5288 | 2888 | 1831 |
| 2006-10-01 | 5375 | 2983 | 1898 |
| 2006-11-01 | 5495 | 3043 | 1926 |
| 2006-12-01 | 5214 | 2999 | 1772 |
| 2007-01-01 | 5426 | 2956 | 1922 |
| 2007-02-01 | 5160 | 2933 | 1850 |
| 2007-03-01 | 5479 | 2997 | 1882 |
| 2007-04-01 | 5353 | 2911 | 2000 |
| 2007-05-01 | 5469 | 3010 | 1967 |
| 2007-06-01 | 5267 | 2910 | 1845 |
| 2007-07-01 | 5217 | 2951 | 1896 |
| 2007-08-01 | 5358 | 3014 | 2033 |
| 2007-09-01 | 5344 | 2691 | 2188 |
| 2007-10-01 | 5398 | 2926 | 1998 |
| 2007-11-01 | 5176 | 2784 | 1966 |
| 2007-12-01 | 5119 | 2773 | 1915 |
| 2008-01-01 | 5071 | 2847 | 1989 |
| 2008-02-01 | 5077 | 2881 | 1995 |
| 2008-03-01 | 4924 | 2661 | 1918 |
| 2008-04-01 | 4948 | 2837 | 1958 |
| 2008-05-01 | 4691 | 2607 | 1950 |
| 2008-06-01 | 4893 | 2595 | 2172 |
| 2008-07-01 | 4637 | 2489 | 2071 |
| 2008-08-01 | 4682 | 2445 | 2190 |
| 2008-09-01 | 4499 | 2468 | 2088 |
| 2008-10-01 | 4548 | 2347 | 2250 |
| 2008-11-01 | 4104 | 2157 | 2290 |
| 2008-12-01 | 4348 | 2084 | 2482 |
| 2009-01-01 | 4095 | 1976 | 2581 |
| 2009-02-01 | 4061 | 1952 | 2599 |
| 2009-03-01 | 3858 | 1834 | 2575 |
| 2009-04-01 | 3888 | 1712 | 2654 |
| 2009-05-01 | 3758 | 1683 | 2231 |
| 2009-06-01 | 3639 | 1685 | 2261 |
| 2009-07-01 | 3857 | 1685 | 2267 |
| 2009-08-01 | 3810 | 1555 | 2119 |
| 2009-09-01 | 3944 | 1627 | 2195 |
| 2009-10-01 | 3838 | 1660 | 2028 |
| 2009-11-01 | 4024 | 1810 | 1913 |
| 2009-12-01 | 4004 | 1766 | 2033 |
| 2010-01-01 | 3904 | 1742 | 1880 |
| 2010-02-01 | 3864 | 1844 | 1825 |
| 2010-03-01 | 4302 | 1856 | 1924 |
| 2010-04-01 | 4159 | 1897 | 1749 |
| 2010-05-01 | 4420 | 1813 | 1762 |
| 2010-06-01 | 4111 | 1911 | 2075 |
| 2010-07-01 | 4163 | 1785 | 2166 |
| 2010-08-01 | 4046 | 1842 | 1890 |
| 2010-09-01 | 4034 | 1895 | 1832 |
| 2010-10-01 | 4173 | 1846 | 1745 |
| 2010-11-01 | 4182 | 1887 | 1849 |
| 2010-12-01 | 4299 | 1977 | 1854 |
| 2011-01-01 | 4000 | 1832 | 1827 |
| 2011-02-01 | 4231 | 1958 | 1755 |
| 2011-03-01 | 4430 | 2033 | 1794 |
| 2011-04-01 | 4296 | 1882 | 1792 |
| 2011-05-01 | 4261 | 1965 | 1904 |
| 2011-06-01 | 4366 | 1923 | 1942 |
| 2011-07-01 | 4261 | 1986 | 1845 |
| 2011-08-01 | 4298 | 2031 | 1845 |
| 2011-09-01 | 4429 | 2041 | 1872 |
| 2011-10-01 | 4370 | 1997 | 1794 |
| 2011-11-01 | 4365 | 2039 | 1912 |
| 2011-12-01 | 4356 | 1981 | 1801 |
| 2012-01-01 | 4457 | 2030 | 1797 |
| 2012-02-01 | 4560 | 2130 | 1903 |
| 2012-03-01 | 4575 | 2167 | 1784 |
| 2012-04-01 | 4389 | 2134 | 1880 |
| 2012-05-01 | 4533 | 2138 | 1969 |
| 2012-06-01 | 4440 | 2152 | 1892 |
| 2012-07-01 | 4327 | 2072 | 1722 |
| 2012-08-01 | 4450 | 2069 | 1894 |
| 2012-09-01 | 4302 | 1950 | 1805 |
| 2012-10-01 | 4389 | 2035 | 1891 |
| 2012-11-01 | 4489 | 2078 | 1921 |
| 2012-12-01 | 4452 | 2051 | 1700 |
| 2013-01-01 | 4487 | 2280 | 1678 |
| 2013-02-01 | 4571 | 2298 | 1664 |
| 2013-03-01 | 4369 | 2124 | 1787 |
| 2013-04-01 | 4572 | 2296 | 1793 |
| 2013-05-01 | 4663 | 2234 | 1836 |
| 2013-06-01 | 4440 | 2203 | 1761 |
| 2013-07-01 | 4561 | 2363 | 1713 |
| 2013-08-01 | 4730 | 2316 | 1816 |
| 2013-09-01 | 4726 | 2302 | 1892 |
| 2013-10-01 | 4518 | 2372 | 1675 |
| 2013-11-01 | 4622 | 2391 | 1630 |
| 2013-12-01 | 4614 | 2287 | 1770 |
| 2014-01-01 | 4626 | 2311 | 1806 |
| 2014-02-01 | 4696 | 2411 | 1767 |
| 2014-03-01 | 4763 | 2449 | 1703 |
| 2014-04-01 | 4880 | 2474 | 1764 |
| 2014-05-01 | 4808 | 2483 | 1710 |
| 2014-06-01 | 4925 | 2507 | 1761 |
| 2014-07-01 | 5008 | 2633 | 1781 |
| 2014-08-01 | 4810 | 2549 | 1699 |
| 2014-09-01 | 5149 | 2732 | 1718 |
| 2014-10-01 | 5111 | 2718 | 1835 |
| 2014-11-01 | 4978 | 2600 | 1726 |
| 2014-12-01 | 5192 | 2552 | 1857 |
| 2015-01-01 | 5061 | 2764 | 1789 |
| 2015-02-01 | 5127 | 2741 | 1757 |
| 2015-03-01 | 5126 | 2754 | 1973 |
| 2015-04-01 | 5196 | 2705 | 1856 |
| 2015-05-01 | 5142 | 2743 | 1711 |
| 2015-06-01 | 5125 | 2756 | 1821 |
| 2015-07-01 | 5150 | 2764 | 1703 |
| 2015-08-01 | 5163 | 2879 | 1773 |
| 2015-09-01 | 5287 | 2778 | 1964 |
| 2015-10-01 | 5338 | 2810 | 1845 |
| 2015-11-01 | 5358 | 2897 | 1779 |
| 2015-12-01 | 5540 | 3056 | 1803 |
| 2016-01-01 | 5220 | 2875 | 1805 |
| 2016-02-01 | 5470 | 2994 | 1894 |
| 2016-03-01 | 5359 | 2917 | 1850 |
| 2016-04-01 | 5294 | 2955 | 1771 |
| 2016-05-01 | 5197 | 3009 | 1825 |
| 2016-06-01 | 5281 | 3018 | 1750 |
| 2016-07-01 | 5426 | 2967 | 1759 |
| 2016-08-01 | 5327 | 2998 | 1860 |
| 2016-09-01 | 5306 | 3047 | 1588 |
| 2016-10-01 | 5210 | 3074 | 1664 |
| 2016-11-01 | 5308 | 3026 | 1751 |
| 2016-12-01 | 5343 | 2989 | 1708 |
| 2017-01-01 | 5497 | 3166 | 1738 |
| 2017-02-01 | 5345 | 3085 | 1714 |
| 2017-03-01 | 5394 | 3145 | 1759 |
| 2017-04-01 | 5309 | 3028 | 1705 |
| 2017-05-01 | 5477 | 3125 | 1804 |
| 2017-06-01 | 5664 | 3166 | 1935 |
| 2017-07-01 | 5508 | 3107 | 1858 |
| 2017-08-01 | 5571 | 3109 | 1919 |
| 2017-09-01 | 5409 | 3214 | 1885 |
| 2017-10-01 | 5605 | 3177 | 1835 |
| 2017-11-01 | 5463 | 3166 | 1740 |
| 2017-12-01 | 5424 | 3194 | 1676 |
| 2018-01-01 | 5459 | 3034 | 1994 |
| 2018-02-01 | 5633 | 3200 | 1758 |
| 2018-03-01 | 5636 | 3305 | 1783 |
| 2018-04-01 | 5610 | 3366 | 1741 |
| 2018-05-01 | 5865 | 3401 | 1767 |
| 2018-06-01 | 5777 | 3401 | 1793 |
| 2018-07-01 | 5707 | 3444 | 1791 |
| 2018-08-01 | 5863 | 3476 | 1838 |
| 2018-09-01 | 5616 | 3424 | 1778 |
| 2018-10-01 | 5876 | 3460 | 1824 |
| 2018-11-01 | 5815 | 3435 | 1905 |
| 2018-12-01 | 5709 | 3381 | 1824 |
| 2019-01-01 | 5741 | 3521 | 1689 |
| 2019-02-01 | 5668 | 3543 | 1769 |
| 2019-03-01 | 5684 | 3524 | 1721 |
| 2019-04-01 | 6051 | 3494 | 1954 |
| 2019-05-01 | 5719 | 3487 | 1776 |
| 2019-06-01 | 5776 | 3527 | 1771 |
| 2019-07-01 | 5987 | 3627 | 1826 |
| 2019-08-01 | 5907 | 3591 | 1825 |
| 2019-09-01 | 5970 | 3449 | 1982 |
| 2019-10-01 | 5799 | 3414 | 1793 |
| 2019-11-01 | 5842 | 3482 | 1788 |
| 2019-12-01 | 5882 | 3487 | 1952 |
| 2020-01-01 | 5974 | 3568 | 1788 |
| 2020-02-01 | 5979 | 3430 | 1953 |
| 2020-03-01 | 5132 | 2902 | 13046 |
| 2020-04-01 | 3942 | 2107 | 9307 |
| 2020-05-01 | 8272 | 2206 | 2096 |
| 2020-06-01 | 7697 | 2646 | 2204 |
| 2020-07-01 | 6237 | 3182 | 1845 |
| 2020-08-01 | 6431 | 2987 | 1573 |
| 2020-09-01 | 5932 | 3307 | 1555 |
| 2020-10-01 | 6035 | 3352 | 1728 |
| 2020-11-01 | 6019 | 3296 | 2123 |
| 2020-12-01 | 5411 | 3407 | 1823 |
| 2021-01-01 | 5465 | 3306 | 1724 |
| 2021-02-01 | 5794 | 3383 | 1723 |
| 2021-03-01 | 6006 | 3568 | 1525 |
| 2021-04-01 | 6012 | 3992 | 1450 |
| 2021-05-01 | 5927 | 3604 | 1368 |
Note: Shaded areas denote recessions.
Source: EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey
The job-seekers ratio, 2000–2021
| date | job seekers ratio, imputed |
|---|---|
| 2000-12-01 | 1.15 |
| 2001-01-01 | 1.16 |
| 2001-02-01 | 1.20 |
| 2001-03-01 | 1.30 |
| 2001-04-01 | 1.35 |
| 2001-05-01 | 1.44 |
| 2001-06-01 | 1.50 |
| 2001-07-01 | 1.53 |
| 2001-08-01 | 1.76 |
| 2001-09-01 | 1.82 |
| 2001-10-01 | 2.12 |
| 2001-11-01 | 2.15 |
| 2001-12-01 | 2.24 |
| 2002-01-01 | 2.22 |
| 2002-02-01 | 2.40 |
| 2002-03-01 | 2.34 |
| 2002-04-01 | 2.45 |
| 2002-05-01 | 2.43 |
| 2002-06-01 | 2.46 |
| 2002-07-01 | 2.48 |
| 2002-08-01 | 2.35 |
| 2002-09-01 | 2.51 |
| 2002-10-01 | 2.42 |
| 2002-11-01 | 2.44 |
| 2002-12-01 | 2.71 |
| 2003-01-01 | 2.49 |
| 2003-02-01 | 2.66 |
| 2003-03-01 | 2.81 |
| 2003-04-01 | 2.86 |
| 2003-05-01 | 2.77 |
| 2003-06-01 | 2.70 |
| 2003-07-01 | 3.00 |
| 2003-08-01 | 2.79 |
| 2003-09-01 | 2.86 |
| 2003-10-01 | 2.62 |
| 2003-11-01 | 2.54 |
| 2003-12-01 | 2.44 |
| 2004-01-01 | 2.41 |
| 2004-02-01 | 2.36 |
| 2004-03-01 | 2.36 |
| 2004-04-01 | 2.33 |
| 2004-05-01 | 2.22 |
| 2004-06-01 | 2.46 |
| 2004-07-01 | 2.11 |
| 2004-08-01 | 2.25 |
| 2004-09-01 | 2.09 |
| 2004-10-01 | 2.03 |
| 2004-11-01 | 2.28 |
| 2004-12-01 | 1.93 |
| 2005-01-01 | 2.07 |
| 2005-02-01 | 1.98 |
| 2005-03-01 | 1.91 |
| 2005-04-01 | 1.84 |
| 2005-05-01 | 2.00 |
| 2005-06-01 | 1.84 |
| 2005-07-01 | 1.73 |
| 2005-08-01 | 1.80 |
| 2005-09-01 | 1.72 |
| 2005-10-01 | 1.79 |
| 2005-11-01 | 1.75 |
| 2005-12-01 | 1.67 |
| 2006-01-01 | 1.62 |
| 2006-02-01 | 1.65 |
| 2006-03-01 | 1.50 |
| 2006-04-01 | 1.47 |
| 2006-05-01 | 1.57 |
| 2006-06-01 | 1.54 |
| 2006-07-01 | 1.62 |
| 2006-08-01 | 1.48 |
| 2006-09-01 | 1.43 |
| 2006-10-01 | 1.48 |
| 2006-11-01 | 1.47 |
| 2006-12-01 | 1.50 |
| 2007-01-01 | 1.47 |
| 2007-02-01 | 1.45 |
| 2007-03-01 | 1.37 |
| 2007-04-01 | 1.45 |
| 2007-05-01 | 1.48 |
| 2007-06-01 | 1.45 |
| 2007-07-01 | 1.55 |
| 2007-08-01 | 1.57 |
| 2007-09-01 | 1.55 |
| 2007-10-01 | 1.56 |
| 2007-11-01 | 1.60 |
| 2007-12-01 | 1.69 |
| 2008-01-01 | 1.64 |
| 2008-02-01 | 1.79 |
| 2008-03-01 | 1.83 |
| 2008-04-01 | 1.99 |
| 2008-05-01 | 2.02 |
| 2008-06-01 | 2.29 |
| 2008-07-01 | 2.45 |
| 2008-08-01 | 2.58 |
| 2008-09-01 | 3.04 |
| 2008-10-01 | 3.05 |
| 2008-11-01 | 3.38 |
| 2008-12-01 | 3.71 |
| 2009-01-01 | 4.56 |
| 2009-02-01 | 4.60 |
| 2009-03-01 | 5.38 |
| 2009-04-01 | 6.18 |
| 2009-05-01 | 5.73 |
| 2009-06-01 | 5.85 |
| 2009-07-01 | 6.59 |
| 2009-08-01 | 6.38 |
| 2009-09-01 | 6.10 |
| 2009-10-01 | 6.35 |
| 2009-11-01 | 6.06 |
| 2009-12-01 | 5.87 |
| 2010-01-01 | 5.32 |
| 2010-02-01 | 5.69 |
| 2010-03-01 | 5.70 |
| 2010-04-01 | 4.78 |
| 2010-05-01 | 4.91 |
| 2010-06-01 | 5.17 |
| 2010-07-01 | 4.73 |
| 2010-08-01 | 4.87 |
| 2010-09-01 | 4.99 |
| 2010-10-01 | 4.57 |
| 2010-11-01 | 4.58 |
| 2010-12-01 | 4.64 |
| 2011-01-01 | 4.48 |
| 2011-02-01 | 4.27 |
| 2011-03-01 | 4.25 |
| 2011-04-01 | 4.27 |
| 2011-05-01 | 4.38 |
| 2011-06-01 | 4.01 |
| 2011-07-01 | 3.81 |
| 2011-08-01 | 4.17 |
| 2011-09-01 | 3.65 |
| 2011-10-01 | 3.72 |
| 2011-11-01 | 3.70 |
| 2011-12-01 | 3.44 |
| 2012-01-01 | 3.28 |
| 2012-02-01 | 3.53 |
| 2012-03-01 | 3.19 |
| 2012-04-01 | 3.34 |
| 2012-05-01 | 3.31 |
| 2012-06-01 | 3.24 |
| 2012-07-01 | 3.36 |
| 2012-08-01 | 3.23 |
| 2012-09-01 | 3.12 |
| 2012-10-01 | 3.20 |
| 2012-11-01 | 3.13 |
| 2012-12-01 | 3.12 |
| 2013-01-01 | 3.11 |
| 2013-02-01 | 2.95 |
| 2013-03-01 | 2.88 |
| 2013-04-01 | 2.94 |
| 2013-05-01 | 2.82 |
| 2013-06-01 | 2.78 |
| 2013-07-01 | 2.91 |
| 2013-08-01 | 2.76 |
| 2013-09-01 | 2.71 |
| 2013-10-01 | 2.60 |
| 2013-11-01 | 2.57 |
| 2013-12-01 | 2.50 |
| 2014-01-01 | 2.49 |
| 2014-02-01 | 2.37 |
| 2014-03-01 | 2.29 |
| 2014-04-01 | 2.14 |
| 2014-05-01 | 2.03 |
| 2014-06-01 | 1.91 |
| 2014-07-01 | 1.98 |
| 2014-08-01 | 1.76 |
| 2014-09-01 | 1.86 |
| 2014-10-01 | 1.80 |
| 2014-11-01 | 1.84 |
| 2014-12-01 | 1.72 |
| 2015-01-01 | 1.64 |
| 2015-02-01 | 1.57 |
| 2015-03-01 | 1.64 |
| 2015-04-01 | 1.55 |
| 2015-05-01 | 1.54 |
| 2015-06-01 | 1.56 |
| 2015-07-01 | 1.33 |
| 2015-08-01 | 1.45 |
| 2015-09-01 | 1.44 |
| 2015-10-01 | 1.38 |
| 2015-11-01 | 1.39 |
| 2015-12-01 | 1.33 |
| 2016-01-01 | 1.27 |
| 2016-02-01 | 1.36 |
| 2016-03-01 | 1.31 |
| 2016-04-01 | 1.35 |
| 2016-05-01 | 1.33 |
| 2016-06-01 | 1.34 |
| 2016-07-01 | 1.29 |
| 2016-08-01 | 1.39 |
| 2016-09-01 | 1.34 |
| 2016-10-01 | 1.37 |
| 2016-11-01 | 1.26 |
| 2016-12-01 | 1.26 |
| 2017-01-01 | 1.31 |
| 2017-02-01 | 1.22 |
| 2017-03-01 | 1.23 |
| 2017-04-01 | 1.16 |
| 2017-05-01 | 1.19 |
| 2017-06-01 | 1.08 |
| 2017-07-01 | 1.12 |
| 2017-08-01 | 1.10 |
| 2017-09-01 | 1.07 |
| 2017-10-01 | 1.05 |
| 2017-11-01 | 1.07 |
| 2017-12-01 | 1.03 |
| 2018-01-01 | 0.99 |
| 2018-02-01 | 0.99 |
| 2018-03-01 | 0.95 |
| 2018-04-01 | 0.92 |
| 2018-05-01 | 0.90 |
| 2018-06-01 | 0.86 |
| 2018-07-01 | 0.85 |
| 2018-08-01 | 0.85 |
| 2018-09-01 | 0.83 |
| 2018-10-01 | 0.84 |
| 2018-11-01 | 0.82 |
| 2018-12-01 | 0.86 |
| 2019-01-01 | 0.84 |
| 2019-02-01 | 0.87 |
| 2019-03-01 | 0.83 |
| 2019-04-01 | 0.82 |
| 2019-05-01 | 0.82 |
| 2019-06-01 | 0.83 |
| 2019-07-01 | 0.84 |
| 2019-08-01 | 0.82 |
| 2019-09-01 | 0.82 |
| 2019-10-01 | 0.81 |
| 2019-11-01 | 0.85 |
| 2019-12-01 | 0.86 |
| 2020-01-01 | 0.80 |
| 2020-02-01 | 0.92 |
| 2020-03-01 | 2.63 |
| 2020-04-01 | 4.76 |
| 2020-05-01 | 3.55 |
| 2020-06-01 | 2.78 |
| 2020-07-01 | 2.22 |
| 2020-08-01 | 2.02 |
| 2020-09-01 | 1.78 |
| 2020-10-01 | 1.58 |
| 2020-11-01 | 1.59 |
| 2020-12-01 | 1.55 |
| 2021-01-01 | 1.42 |
| 2021-02-01 | 1.31 |
| 2021-03-01 | 1.18 |
| 2021-04-01 | 1.04 |
| 2021-05-01 | 1.02 |
Notes: Shaded areas denote recessions. Unemployment levels represent the average of the unemployment level for the current month and the subsequent month in the Current Population Survey to better line up with the job openings data from the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey.
Source: EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey and Current Population Survey
Job openings levels and unemployment levels, 2000–2021
| date | openings | unemployment, two-month average |
|---|---|---|
| 2000-12-01 | 5088 | 5829 |
| 2001-01-01 | 5234 | 6056 |
| 2001-02-01 | 5097 | 6115 |
| 2001-03-01 | 4762 | 6206 |
| 2001-04-01 | 4615 | 6249 |
| 2001-05-01 | 4425 | 6355 |
| 2001-06-01 | 4361 | 6534 |
| 2001-07-01 | 4447 | 6813 |
| 2001-08-01 | 4024 | 7092 |
| 2001-09-01 | 4071 | 7418 |
| 2001-10-01 | 3707 | 7849 |
| 2001-11-01 | 3775 | 8131 |
| 2001-12-01 | 3677 | 8220 |
| 2002-01-01 | 3699 | 8199 |
| 2002-02-01 | 3436 | 8260 |
| 2002-03-01 | 3612 | 8452 |
| 2002-04-01 | 3471 | 8499 |
| 2002-05-01 | 3457 | 8396 |
| 2002-06-01 | 3412 | 8392 |
| 2002-07-01 | 3367 | 8347 |
| 2002-08-01 | 3517 | 8278 |
| 2002-09-01 | 3301 | 8279 |
| 2002-10-01 | 3479 | 8414 |
| 2002-11-01 | 3514 | 8580 |
| 2002-12-01 | 3169 | 8580 |
| 2003-01-01 | 3441 | 8569 |
| 2003-02-01 | 3229 | 8603 |
| 2003-03-01 | 3099 | 8715 |
| 2003-04-01 | 3108 | 8900 |
| 2003-05-01 | 3289 | 9112 |
| 2003-06-01 | 3390 | 9139 |
| 2003-07-01 | 2981 | 8954 |
| 2003-08-01 | 3190 | 8909 |
| 2003-09-01 | 3091 | 8827 |
| 2003-10-01 | 3305 | 8654 |
| 2003-11-01 | 3324 | 8447 |
| 2003-12-01 | 3414 | 8344 |
| 2004-01-01 | 3424 | 8269 |
| 2004-02-01 | 3532 | 8329 |
| 2004-03-01 | 3525 | 8331 |
| 2004-04-01 | 3511 | 8191 |
| 2004-05-01 | 3710 | 8249 |
| 2004-06-01 | 3337 | 8211 |
| 2004-07-01 | 3814 | 8063 |
| 2004-08-01 | 3541 | 7959 |
| 2004-09-01 | 3821 | 7994 |
| 2004-10-01 | 3943 | 7997 |
| 2004-11-01 | 3472 | 7933 |
| 2004-12-01 | 4074 | 7859 |
| 2005-01-01 | 3804 | 7882 |
| 2005-02-01 | 3965 | 7859 |
| 2005-03-01 | 4044 | 7705 |
| 2005-04-01 | 4159 | 7662 |
| 2005-05-01 | 3797 | 7588 |
| 2005-06-01 | 4062 | 7465 |
| 2005-07-01 | 4256 | 7376 |
| 2005-08-01 | 4142 | 7449 |
| 2005-09-01 | 4352 | 7503 |
| 2005-10-01 | 4184 | 7510 |
| 2005-11-01 | 4248 | 7423 |
| 2005-12-01 | 4282 | 7172 |
| 2006-01-01 | 4397 | 7124 |
| 2006-02-01 | 4325 | 7128 |
| 2006-03-01 | 4732 | 7096 |
| 2006-04-01 | 4790 | 7050 |
| 2006-05-01 | 4463 | 6991 |
| 2006-06-01 | 4614 | 7088 |
| 2006-07-01 | 4394 | 7133 |
| 2006-08-01 | 4710 | 6969 |
| 2006-09-01 | 4737 | 6787 |
| 2006-10-01 | 4591 | 6800 |
| 2006-11-01 | 4645 | 6817 |
| 2006-12-01 | 4620 | 6939 |
| 2007-01-01 | 4763 | 7022 |
| 2007-02-01 | 4699 | 6829 |
| 2007-03-01 | 4962 | 6791 |
| 2007-04-01 | 4689 | 6808 |
| 2007-05-01 | 4657 | 6873 |
| 2007-06-01 | 4859 | 7064 |
| 2007-07-01 | 4598 | 7108 |
| 2007-08-01 | 4546 | 7119 |
| 2007-09-01 | 4652 | 7204 |
| 2007-10-01 | 4636 | 7239 |
| 2007-11-01 | 4646 | 7443 |
| 2007-12-01 | 4545 | 7665 |
| 2008-01-01 | 4624 | 7591 |
| 2008-02-01 | 4279 | 7660 |
| 2008-03-01 | 4225 | 7730 |
| 2008-04-01 | 4035 | 8016 |
| 2008-05-01 | 4194 | 8485 |
| 2008-06-01 | 3830 | 8756 |
| 2008-07-01 | 3749 | 9188 |
| 2008-08-01 | 3674 | 9466 |
| 2008-09-01 | 3222 | 9784 |
| 2008-10-01 | 3377 | 10306 |
| 2008-11-01 | 3231 | 10912 |
| 2008-12-01 | 3146 | 11672 |
| 2009-01-01 | 2738 | 12478 |
| 2009-02-01 | 2864 | 13162 |
| 2009-03-01 | 2534 | 13640 |
| 2009-04-01 | 2295 | 14176 |
| 2009-05-01 | 2549 | 14603 |
| 2009-06-01 | 2503 | 14654 |
| 2009-07-01 | 2232 | 14708 |
| 2009-08-01 | 2338 | 14912 |
| 2009-09-01 | 2487 | 15181 |
| 2009-10-01 | 2406 | 15286 |
| 2009-11-01 | 2503 | 15159 |
| 2009-12-01 | 2568 | 15072 |
| 2010-01-01 | 2837 | 15080 |
| 2010-02-01 | 2666 | 15158 |
| 2010-03-01 | 2679 | 15264 |
| 2010-04-01 | 3153 | 15087 |
| 2010-05-01 | 2988 | 14662 |
| 2010-06-01 | 2801 | 14493 |
| 2010-07-01 | 3082 | 14580 |
| 2010-08-01 | 2999 | 14614 |
| 2010-09-01 | 2918 | 14548 |
| 2010-10-01 | 3235 | 14799 |
| 2010-11-01 | 3211 | 14715 |
| 2010-12-01 | 3058 | 14181 |
| 2011-01-01 | 3104 | 13917 |
| 2011-02-01 | 3226 | 13779 |
| 2011-03-01 | 3261 | 13847 |
| 2011-04-01 | 3259 | 13906 |
| 2011-05-01 | 3179 | 13909 |
| 2011-06-01 | 3455 | 13863 |
| 2011-07-01 | 3623 | 13791 |
| 2011-08-01 | 3329 | 13883 |
| 2011-09-01 | 3774 | 13771 |
| 2011-10-01 | 3619 | 13448 |
| 2011-11-01 | 3565 | 13198 |
| 2011-12-01 | 3768 | 12945 |
| 2012-01-01 | 3909 | 12805 |
| 2012-02-01 | 3616 | 12763 |
| 2012-03-01 | 3979 | 12680 |
| 2012-04-01 | 3793 | 12653 |
| 2012-05-01 | 3835 | 12676 |
| 2012-06-01 | 3911 | 12674 |
| 2012-07-01 | 3735 | 12564 |
| 2012-08-01 | 3809 | 12293 |
| 2012-09-01 | 3882 | 12120 |
| 2012-10-01 | 3775 | 12065 |
| 2012-11-01 | 3878 | 12152 |
| 2012-12-01 | 3970 | 12385 |
| 2013-01-01 | 3923 | 12211 |
| 2013-02-01 | 4004 | 11820 |
| 2013-03-01 | 4076 | 11725 |
| 2013-04-01 | 3988 | 11707 |
| 2013-05-01 | 4145 | 11703 |
| 2013-06-01 | 4150 | 11543 |
| 2013-07-01 | 3885 | 11307 |
| 2013-08-01 | 4085 | 11275 |
| 2013-09-01 | 4128 | 11203 |
| 2013-10-01 | 4222 | 10962 |
| 2013-11-01 | 4119 | 10596 |
| 2013-12-01 | 4121 | 10303 |
| 2014-01-01 | 4127 | 10276 |
| 2014-02-01 | 4373 | 10365 |
| 2014-03-01 | 4388 | 10041 |
| 2014-04-01 | 4566 | 9781 |
| 2014-05-01 | 4747 | 9660 |
| 2014-06-01 | 4982 | 9534 |
| 2014-07-01 | 4846 | 9604 |
| 2014-08-01 | 5349 | 9431 |
| 2014-09-01 | 4914 | 9126 |
| 2014-10-01 | 5012 | 9040 |
| 2014-11-01 | 4843 | 8904 |
| 2014-12-01 | 5130 | 8801 |
| 2015-01-01 | 5344 | 8742 |
| 2015-02-01 | 5466 | 8557 |
| 2015-03-01 | 5210 | 8533 |
| 2015-04-01 | 5598 | 8692 |
| 2015-05-01 | 5563 | 8541 |
| 2015-06-01 | 5248 | 8207 |
| 2015-07-01 | 6056 | 8080 |
| 2015-08-01 | 5467 | 7950 |
| 2015-09-01 | 5488 | 7915 |
| 2015-10-01 | 5773 | 7961 |
| 2015-11-01 | 5708 | 7954 |
| 2015-12-01 | 5845 | 7767 |
| 2016-01-01 | 6012 | 7665 |
| 2016-02-01 | 5770 | 7832 |
| 2016-03-01 | 6129 | 8014 |
| 2016-04-01 | 5803 | 7860 |
| 2016-05-01 | 5777 | 7698 |
| 2016-06-01 | 5742 | 7693 |
| 2016-07-01 | 5962 | 7713 |
| 2016-08-01 | 5677 | 7869 |
| 2016-09-01 | 5868 | 7882 |
| 2016-10-01 | 5591 | 7682 |
| 2016-11-01 | 5971 | 7537 |
| 2016-12-01 | 5964 | 7494 |
| 2017-01-01 | 5646 | 7421 |
| 2017-02-01 | 5931 | 7248 |
| 2017-03-01 | 5813 | 7158 |
| 2017-04-01 | 6103 | 7108 |
| 2017-05-01 | 5810 | 6941 |
| 2017-06-01 | 6334 | 6843 |
| 2017-07-01 | 6203 | 6952 |
| 2017-08-01 | 6300 | 6960 |
| 2017-09-01 | 6279 | 6730 |
| 2017-10-01 | 6380 | 6690 |
| 2017-11-01 | 6282 | 6696 |
| 2017-12-01 | 6359 | 6564 |
| 2018-01-01 | 6601 | 6543 |
| 2018-02-01 | 6586 | 6545 |
| 2018-03-01 | 6833 | 6525 |
| 2018-04-01 | 6910 | 6380 |
| 2018-05-01 | 6987 | 6321 |
| 2018-06-01 | 7271 | 6281 |
| 2018-07-01 | 7209 | 6149 |
| 2018-08-01 | 7204 | 6102 |
| 2018-09-01 | 7352 | 6101 |
| 2018-10-01 | 7295 | 6140 |
| 2018-11-01 | 7574 | 6247 |
| 2018-12-01 | 7436 | 6411 |
| 2019-01-01 | 7478 | 6285 |
| 2019-02-01 | 7058 | 6165 |
| 2019-03-01 | 7332 | 6098 |
| 2019-04-01 | 7257 | 5980 |
| 2019-05-01 | 7279 | 5940 |
| 2019-06-01 | 7165 | 5942 |
| 2019-07-01 | 7137 | 5985 |
| 2019-08-01 | 7150 | 5864 |
| 2019-09-01 | 7100 | 5825 |
| 2019-10-01 | 7340 | 5915 |
| 2019-11-01 | 6915 | 5876 |
| 2019-12-01 | 6730 | 5820 |
| 2020-01-01 | 7154 | 5757 |
| 2020-02-01 | 7012 | 6451 |
| 2020-03-01 | 5769 | 15147 |
| 2020-04-01 | 4630 | 22042 |
| 2020-05-01 | 5447 | 19336 |
| 2020-06-01 | 6112 | 17003 |
| 2020-07-01 | 6717 | 14925 |
| 2020-08-01 | 6451 | 13039 |
| 2020-09-01 | 6611 | 11792 |
| 2020-10-01 | 6873 | 10889 |
| 2020-11-01 | 6766 | 10732 |
| 2020-12-01 | 6752 | 10433 |
| 2021-01-01 | 7099 | 10051 |
| 2021-02-01 | 7526 | 9841 |
| 2021-03-01 | 8288 | 9761 |
| 2021-04-01 | 9193 | 9564 |
| 2021-05-01 | 9209 | 9400 |
Notes: Shaded areas denote recessions. Unemployment levels represent the average of the unemployment level for the current month and the subsequent month in the Current Population Survey to better line up with the job openings data from the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey.
Source: EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey and Current Population Survey. Unemployment levels represent the average of the unemployment level for the current month and the subsequent month to better line up with the job openings data.
Unemployment and job openings by industry (in thousands), May 2021
| Industry | Unemployment, three-month average | Job openings, three-month average | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mining | 87 | 26 | 3.3 |
| Construction | 748.3 | 353.7 | 2.1 |
| Educational services | 161.3 | 114 | 1.4 |
| Information | 205.7 | 150 | 1.4 |
| Transportation and utilities | 575.3 | 419.7 | 1.4 |
| Arts, entertainment, and recreation | 1144.7 | 923 | 1.2 |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 286.7 | 238.7 | 1.2 |
| Retail trade | 126 | 106.7 | 1.2 |
| Other services | 466.3 | 454.7 | 1 |
| Durable goods manufacturing | 385.7 | 387.7 | 1 |
| Accommodation and food services | 1143.7 | 1243 | 0.9 |
| Nondurable goods manufacturing | 316 | 370.3 | 0.9 |
| Professional and business services | 1051.7 | 1544 | 0.7 |
| Finance and Insurance | 176 | 278 | 0.6 |
| Wholesale trade | 519.3 | 930.7 | 0.6 |
| Government | 139.7 | 281 | 0.5 |
| Health care and social assistance | 669 | 1448.7 | 0.5 |
Notes: Unemployment levels represent the average of the unemployment level for the current month and the subsequent month in the Current Population Survey to better line up with the job openings data from the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. Both unemployment data and job openings data are then averaged over three months to smooth for better data reliability. These data are non-seasonally adjusted so caution is warranted when making comparisons across time.
Source: EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey and Current Population Survey.
