Economic Indicators JOLTS
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).
March
Next update: June 3rd, 2025
• April 29th, 2025
Below, EPI senior economist Elise Gould offers her insights on today’s release of the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) for March. Read the full thread here.
The latest JOLTS data on job openings, hires, quits, and layoffs showed little changed overall between February and March 2025. But we can see signs of distress within the federal workforce. Job openings declined along with hires. And 27,000 federal workers have been laid off since January.
Because the federal workforce is only a small share of the overall workforce—and one that has fallen precipitously as a share since the 1950s—the federal layoffs are not reflected in the economy-wide layoff rate. Further, federal workers on administrative leave won’t show up either.
Overall, the rate of hires, quits, and layoffs were little changed in March. What we see with the federal workforce layoffs along with massive spending cuts has yet to hit the data for the private sector in March. There’s no question it is coming.
It’s important to remember that change is happening fast and widespread economic weakness has been slow to show up in the hard labor market data. Softer economic measures show far more economic turmoil and pessimism. https://www.epi.org/blog/what-to-watch-for-in-this-weeks-labor-market-data-will-there-be-signs-of-widespread-economic-distress/
Hires, quits, and layoff rates, 2000–2025
| Date | Hires | Quits | Layoffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec-2000 | 4.1 | 2.2 | 1.5 |
| Jan-2001 | 4.3 | 2.4 | 1.7 |
| Feb-2001 | 4 | 2.3 | 1.4 |
| Mar-2001 | 4.2 | 2.3 | 1.6 |
| Apr-2001 | 3.9 | 2.4 | 1.4 |
| May-2001 | 4.1 | 2.3 | 1.5 |
| Jun-2001 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 1.5 |
| Jul-2001 | 4 | 2.2 | 1.5 |
| Aug-2001 | 4 | 2.2 | 1.5 |
| Sep-2001 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.6 |
| Oct-2001 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.8 |
| Nov-2001 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.7 |
| Dec-2001 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.5 |
| Jan-2002 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 1.5 |
| Feb-2002 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.5 |
| Mar-2002 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.4 |
| Apr-2002 | 3.8 | 2 | 1.5 |
| May-2002 | 3.7 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| Jun-2002 | 3.7 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| Jul-2002 | 3.8 | 2 | 1.6 |
| Aug-2002 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.5 |
| Sep-2002 | 3.7 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| Oct-2002 | 3.7 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| Nov-2002 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 1.5 |
| Dec-2002 | 3.7 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| Jan-2003 | 3.9 | 1.9 | 1.6 |
| Feb-2003 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| Mar-2003 | 3.4 | 1.8 | 1.5 |
| Apr-2003 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 1.5 |
| May-2003 | 3.6 | 1.8 | 1.6 |
| Jun-2003 | 3.6 | 1.8 | 1.6 |
| Jul-2003 | 3.6 | 1.7 | 1.6 |
| Aug-2003 | 3.6 | 1.7 | 1.7 |
| Sep-2003 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 1.5 |
| Oct-2003 | 3.8 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| Nov-2003 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 1.5 |
| Dec-2003 | 3.8 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| Jan-2004 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 1.6 |
| Feb-2004 | 3.7 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| Mar-2004 | 4 | 2 | 1.6 |
| Apr-2004 | 3.9 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| May-2004 | 3.8 | 1.8 | 1.5 |
| Jun-2004 | 3.8 | 2 | 1.4 |
| Jul-2004 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.4 |
| Aug-2004 | 3.8 | 2 | 1.5 |
| Sep-2004 | 3.8 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| Oct-2004 | 3.9 | 1.9 | 1.4 |
| Nov-2004 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| Dec-2004 | 3.9 | 2 | 1.5 |
| Jan-2005 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| Feb-2005 | 4 | 2 | 1.6 |
| Mar-2005 | 4 | 2.1 | 1.6 |
| Apr-2005 | 4 | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| May-2005 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| Jun-2005 | 4 | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| Jul-2005 | 4 | 2 | 1.4 |
| Aug-2005 | 4 | 2.2 | 1.4 |
| Sep-2005 | 4.1 | 2.3 | 1.5 |
| Oct-2005 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
| Nov-2005 | 4 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| Dec-2005 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
| Jan-2006 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 1.3 |
| Feb-2006 | 4 | 2.2 | 1.4 |
| Mar-2006 | 4.1 | 2.2 | 1.4 |
| Apr-2006 | 3.8 | 2 | 1.4 |
| May-2006 | 4 | 2.2 | 1.5 |
| Jun-2006 | 4 | 2.2 | 1.3 |
| Jul-2006 | 4.1 | 2.2 | 1.4 |
| Aug-2006 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 1.3 |
| Sep-2006 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| Oct-2006 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 1.4 |
| Nov-2006 | 4 | 2.2 | 1.4 |
| Dec-2006 | 3.8 | 2.2 | 1.3 |
| Jan-2007 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
| Feb-2007 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| Mar-2007 | 4 | 2.2 | 1.4 |
| Apr-2007 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| May-2007 | 4 | 2.2 | 1.4 |
| Jun-2007 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| Jul-2007 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
| Aug-2007 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 1.5 |
| Sep-2007 | 3.9 | 1.9 | 1.6 |
| Oct-2007 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
| Nov-2007 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.4 |
| Dec-2007 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.4 |
| Jan-2008 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
| Feb-2008 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
| Mar-2008 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.4 |
| Apr-2008 | 3.6 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
| May-2008 | 3.4 | 1.9 | 1.4 |
| Jun-2008 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.6 |
| Jul-2008 | 3.4 | 1.8 | 1.5 |
| Aug-2008 | 3.4 | 1.8 | 1.6 |
| Sep-2008 | 3.3 | 1.8 | 1.5 |
| Oct-2008 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 1.7 |
| Nov-2008 | 3 | 1.6 | 1.7 |
| Dec-2008 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 1.8 |
| Jan-2009 | 3.1 | 1.5 | 1.9 |
| Feb-2009 | 3 | 1.5 | 1.9 |
| Mar-2009 | 2.9 | 1.4 | 1.9 |
| Apr-2009 | 2.9 | 1.3 | 2 |
| May-2009 | 2.9 | 1.3 | 1.7 |
| Jun-2009 | 2.8 | 1.3 | 1.7 |
| Jul-2009 | 3 | 1.3 | 1.7 |
| Aug-2009 | 2.9 | 1.2 | 1.6 |
| Sep-2009 | 3 | 1.2 | 1.7 |
| Oct-2009 | 3 | 1.3 | 1.6 |
| Nov-2009 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 1.5 |
| Dec-2009 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 1.6 |
| Jan-2010 | 3 | 1.3 | 1.4 |
| Feb-2010 | 3 | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| Mar-2010 | 3.3 | 1.4 | 1.5 |
| Apr-2010 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 1.3 |
| May-2010 | 3.4 | 1.4 | 1.3 |
| Jun-2010 | 3.1 | 1.5 | 1.6 |
| Jul-2010 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 1.7 |
| Aug-2010 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| Sep-2010 | 3.1 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| Oct-2010 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 1.3 |
| Nov-2010 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| Dec-2010 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| Jan-2011 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| Feb-2011 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 1.3 |
| Mar-2011 | 3.4 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| Apr-2011 | 3.3 | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| May-2011 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| Jun-2011 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Jul-2011 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| Aug-2011 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| Sep-2011 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| Oct-2011 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| Nov-2011 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| Dec-2011 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| Jan-2012 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.3 |
| Feb-2012 | 3.4 | 1.6 | 1.4 |
| Mar-2012 | 3.4 | 1.6 | 1.3 |
| Apr-2012 | 3.3 | 1.6 | 1.4 |
| May-2012 | 3.4 | 1.6 | 1.5 |
| Jun-2012 | 3.3 | 1.6 | 1.4 |
| Jul-2012 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 1.3 |
| Aug-2012 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| Sep-2012 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 1.3 |
| Oct-2012 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| Nov-2012 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| Dec-2012 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.3 |
| Jan-2013 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 1.2 |
| Feb-2013 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 1.2 |
| Mar-2013 | 3.2 | 1.6 | 1.3 |
| Apr-2013 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 1.3 |
| May-2013 | 3.4 | 1.6 | 1.3 |
| Jun-2013 | 3.3 | 1.6 | 1.3 |
| Jul-2013 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 1.3 |
| Aug-2013 | 3.5 | 1.7 | 1.3 |
| Sep-2013 | 3.5 | 1.7 | 1.4 |
| Oct-2013 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 1.2 |
| Nov-2013 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 1.2 |
| Dec-2013 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 1.3 |
| Jan-2014 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 1.3 |
| Feb-2014 | 3.4 | 1.8 | 1.3 |
| Mar-2014 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 1.2 |
| Apr-2014 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 1.3 |
| May-2014 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 1.2 |
| Jun-2014 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 1.3 |
| Jul-2014 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.3 |
| Aug-2014 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 1.2 |
| Sep-2014 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.2 |
| Oct-2014 | 3.7 | 1.9 | 1.3 |
| Nov-2014 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.2 |
| Dec-2014 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 1.3 |
| Jan-2015 | 3.6 | 2 | 1.3 |
| Feb-2015 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.2 |
| Mar-2015 | 3.6 | 2 | 1.4 |
| Apr-2015 | 3.7 | 1.9 | 1.3 |
| May-2015 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.2 |
| Jun-2015 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.3 |
| Jul-2015 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.2 |
| Aug-2015 | 3.6 | 2 | 1.2 |
| Sep-2015 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.4 |
| Oct-2015 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.3 |
| Nov-2015 | 3.8 | 2 | 1.2 |
| Dec-2015 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| Jan-2016 | 3.6 | 2 | 1.3 |
| Feb-2016 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| Mar-2016 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.3 |
| Apr-2016 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| May-2016 | 3.6 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| Jun-2016 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| Jul-2016 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| Aug-2016 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| Sep-2016 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.1 |
| Oct-2016 | 3.6 | 2.1 | 1.1 |
| Nov-2016 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| Dec-2016 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| Jan-2017 | 3.8 | 2.2 | 1.2 |
| Feb-2017 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| Mar-2017 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 1.2 |
| Apr-2017 | 3.6 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| May-2017 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| Jun-2017 | 3.8 | 2.2 | 1.3 |
| Jul-2017 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| Aug-2017 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| Sep-2017 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 1.2 |
| Oct-2017 | 3.8 | 2.2 | 1.2 |
| Nov-2017 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 1.2 |
| Dec-2017 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 1.2 |
| Jan-2018 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.3 |
| Feb-2018 | 3.8 | 2.2 | 1.2 |
| Mar-2018 | 3.8 | 2.2 | 1.2 |
| Apr-2018 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| May-2018 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| Jun-2018 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| Jul-2018 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| Aug-2018 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| Sep-2018 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| Oct-2018 | 4 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| Nov-2018 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.3 |
| Dec-2018 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| Jan-2019 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.1 |
| Feb-2019 | 3.8 | 2.4 | 1.2 |
| Mar-2019 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.1 |
| Apr-2019 | 4 | 2.3 | 1.3 |
| May-2019 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| Jun-2019 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| Jul-2019 | 3.9 | 2.4 | 1.2 |
| Aug-2019 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| Sep-2019 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.3 |
| Oct-2019 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| Nov-2019 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| Dec-2019 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.3 |
| Jan-2020 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| Feb-2020 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.3 |
| Mar-2020 | 3.4 | 1.9 | 8.6 |
| Apr-2020 | 3.1 | 1.5 | 7 |
| May-2020 | 6.1 | 1.7 | 1.6 |
| Jun-2020 | 5.4 | 1.9 | 1.6 |
| Jul-2020 | 4.5 | 2.2 | 1.3 |
| Aug-2020 | 4.3 | 2.1 | 1.1 |
| Sep-2020 | 4.2 | 2.2 | 1.1 |
| Oct-2020 | 4.3 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| Nov-2020 | 4.1 | 2.2 | 1.5 |
| Dec-2020 | 3.9 | 2.4 | 1.3 |
| Jan-2021 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| Feb-2021 | 4 | 2.4 | 1.1 |
| Mar-2021 | 4.3 | 2.5 | 1 |
| Apr-2021 | 4.3 | 2.7 | 1 |
| May-2021 | 4.1 | 2.6 | 0.9 |
| Jun-2021 | 4.5 | 2.7 | 0.9 |
| Jul-2021 | 4.6 | 2.7 | 0.9 |
| Aug-2021 | 4.3 | 2.8 | 0.9 |
| Sep-2021 | 4.5 | 2.9 | 1 |
| Oct-2021 | 4.5 | 2.8 | 0.9 |
| Nov-2021 | 4.6 | 3 | 0.9 |
| Dec-2021 | 4.4 | 2.9 | 0.9 |
| Jan-2022 | 4.3 | 2.9 | 1 |
| Feb-2022 | 4.5 | 2.9 | 0.9 |
| Mar-2022 | 4.4 | 3 | 0.9 |
| Apr-2022 | 4.4 | 2.9 | 0.9 |
| May-2022 | 4.3 | 2.8 | 1 |
| Jun-2022 | 4.3 | 2.7 | 1 |
| Jul-2022 | 4.2 | 2.6 | 1 |
| Aug-2022 | 4.2 | 2.7 | 1 |
| Sept-2022 | 4 | 2.7 | 0.9 |
| Oct-2022 | 4 | 2.6 | 1 |
| Nov-2022 | 4 | 2.6 | 0.9 |
| Dec-2022 | 4 | 2.7 | 1 |
| Jan-2023 | 4.1 | 2.5 | 1.2 |
| Feb-2023 | 3.9 | 2.5 | 1 |
| Mar-2023 | 3.8 | 2.5 | 1.2 |
| Apr-2023 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.1 |
| May-2023 | 3.9 | 2.6 | 1 |
| Jun-2023 | 3.8 | 2.4 | 1.1 |
| Jul-2023 | 3.6 | 2.3 | 1.1 |
| Aug-2023 | 3.7 | 2.3 | 1.1 |
| Sep-2023 | 3.7 | 2.3 | 1 |
| Oct-2023 | 3.6 | 2.3 | 1 |
| Nov-2023 | 3.5 | 2.3 | 1 |
| Dec-2023 | 3.6 | 2.1 | 1 |
| Jan-2024 | 3.5 | 2.1 | 1.1 |
| Feb-2024 | 3.6 | 2.2 | 1.1 |
| Mar-2024 | 3.5 | 2.1 | 1 |
| Apr-2024 | 3.5 | 2.2 | 1 |
| May-2024 | 3.5 | 2.1 | 1.1 |
| Jun-2024 | 3.2 | 2.1 | 0.9 |
| Jul-2024 | 3.4 | 2.1 | 1.1 |
| Aug-2024 | 3.3 | 2 | 1.1 |
| Sep-2024 | 3.5 | 1.9 | 1.2 |
| Oct-2024 | 3.4 | 2 | 1.1 |
| Nov-2024 | 3.3 | 1.9 | 1.1 |
| Dec-2024 | 3.4 | 1.9 | 1.1 |
| Jan-2025 | 3.4 | 2 | 1.1 |
| Feb-2025 | 3.4 | 2 | 1.1 |
| Mar-2025 | 3.4 | 2.1 | 1 |
| Apr-2025 | 3.5 | 2 | 1.1 |
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
Hires, layoffs, and quits, 2000–2025
| Date | Hires | Quits | Layoffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec-2000 | 5426 | 2882 | 2018 |
| Jan-2001 | 5722 | 3245 | 2220 |
| Feb-2001 | 5303 | 3053 | 1855 |
| Mar-2001 | 5528 | 3054 | 2133 |
| Apr-2001 | 5204 | 3163 | 1883 |
| May-2001 | 5410 | 2993 | 2029 |
| Jun-2001 | 5109 | 2878 | 2015 |
| Jul-2001 | 5244 | 2947 | 2038 |
| Aug-2001 | 5223 | 2928 | 2011 |
| Sep-2001 | 4954 | 2703 | 2107 |
| Oct-2001 | 5078 | 2795 | 2319 |
| Nov-2001 | 4914 | 2560 | 2255 |
| Dec-2001 | 4829 | 2559 | 1922 |
| Jan-2002 | 4855 | 2845 | 1907 |
| Feb-2002 | 4801 | 2572 | 1978 |
| Mar-2002 | 4706 | 2493 | 1883 |
| Apr-2002 | 4928 | 2624 | 1956 |
| May-2002 | 4857 | 2537 | 1967 |
| Jun-2002 | 4869 | 2522 | 2015 |
| Jul-2002 | 4946 | 2561 | 2102 |
| Aug-2002 | 4871 | 2561 | 1923 |
| Sep-2002 | 4879 | 2521 | 2022 |
| Oct-2002 | 4798 | 2423 | 1935 |
| Nov-2002 | 4792 | 2403 | 1944 |
| Dec-2002 | 4893 | 2501 | 2007 |
| Jan-2003 | 5058 | 2429 | 2109 |
| Feb-2003 | 4714 | 2490 | 2015 |
| Mar-2003 | 4470 | 2394 | 1949 |
| Apr-2003 | 4600 | 2279 | 1998 |
| May-2003 | 4678 | 2291 | 2072 |
| Jun-2003 | 4682 | 2315 | 2076 |
| Jul-2003 | 4639 | 2271 | 2062 |
| Aug-2003 | 4666 | 2195 | 2162 |
| Sep-2003 | 4799 | 2354 | 1932 |
| Oct-2003 | 4902 | 2415 | 1969 |
| Nov-2003 | 4767 | 2411 | 1951 |
| Dec-2003 | 4984 | 2444 | 2007 |
| Jan-2004 | 4900 | 2354 | 2037 |
| Feb-2004 | 4788 | 2448 | 1985 |
| Mar-2004 | 5227 | 2582 | 2065 |
| Apr-2004 | 5152 | 2534 | 2010 |
| May-2004 | 4976 | 2428 | 1914 |
| Jun-2004 | 5009 | 2659 | 1887 |
| Jul-2004 | 4891 | 2609 | 1885 |
| Aug-2004 | 5013 | 2586 | 1974 |
| Sep-2004 | 5062 | 2531 | 2027 |
| Oct-2004 | 5149 | 2550 | 1903 |
| Nov-2004 | 5181 | 2789 | 2037 |
| Dec-2004 | 5153 | 2695 | 1951 |
| Jan-2005 | 5201 | 2732 | 2008 |
| Feb-2005 | 5276 | 2651 | 2068 |
| Mar-2005 | 5273 | 2747 | 2188 |
| Apr-2005 | 5362 | 2741 | 1957 |
| May-2005 | 5271 | 2763 | 2021 |
| Jun-2005 | 5376 | 2754 | 2015 |
| Jul-2005 | 5328 | 2735 | 1898 |
| Aug-2005 | 5409 | 2957 | 1905 |
| Sep-2005 | 5493 | 3046 | 2032 |
| Oct-2005 | 5124 | 2863 | 1873 |
| Nov-2005 | 5344 | 2895 | 1769 |
| Dec-2005 | 5294 | 2849 | 1923 |
| Jan-2006 | 5271 | 2945 | 1784 |
| Feb-2006 | 5474 | 2965 | 1882 |
| Mar-2006 | 5524 | 2956 | 1888 |
| Apr-2006 | 5215 | 2778 | 1853 |
| May-2006 | 5498 | 3002 | 1991 |
| Jun-2006 | 5455 | 3042 | 1817 |
| Jul-2006 | 5573 | 3047 | 1860 |
| Aug-2006 | 5373 | 3056 | 1775 |
| Sep-2006 | 5288 | 2888 | 1831 |
| Oct-2006 | 5375 | 2983 | 1898 |
| Nov-2006 | 5495 | 3043 | 1926 |
| Dec-2006 | 5214 | 2999 | 1772 |
| Jan-2007 | 5426 | 2956 | 1922 |
| Feb-2007 | 5160 | 2933 | 1850 |
| Mar-2007 | 5479 | 2997 | 1882 |
| Apr-2007 | 5353 | 2911 | 2000 |
| May-2007 | 5469 | 3010 | 1967 |
| Jun-2007 | 5267 | 2910 | 1845 |
| Jul-2007 | 5217 | 2951 | 1896 |
| Aug-2007 | 5358 | 3014 | 2033 |
| Sep-2007 | 5344 | 2691 | 2188 |
| Oct-2007 | 5398 | 2926 | 1998 |
| Nov-2007 | 5176 | 2784 | 1966 |
| Dec-2007 | 5119 | 2773 | 1915 |
| Jan-2008 | 5071 | 2847 | 1989 |
| Feb-2008 | 5077 | 2881 | 1995 |
| Mar-2008 | 4924 | 2661 | 1918 |
| Apr-2008 | 4948 | 2837 | 1958 |
| May-2008 | 4691 | 2607 | 1950 |
| Jun-2008 | 4893 | 2595 | 2172 |
| Jul-2008 | 4637 | 2489 | 2071 |
| Aug-2008 | 4682 | 2445 | 2190 |
| Sep-2008 | 4499 | 2468 | 2088 |
| Oct-2008 | 4548 | 2347 | 2250 |
| Nov-2008 | 4104 | 2157 | 2290 |
| Dec-2008 | 4348 | 2084 | 2482 |
| Jan-2009 | 4095 | 1976 | 2581 |
| Feb-2009 | 4061 | 1952 | 2599 |
| Mar-2009 | 3858 | 1834 | 2575 |
| Apr-2009 | 3888 | 1712 | 2654 |
| May-2009 | 3758 | 1683 | 2231 |
| Jun-2009 | 3639 | 1685 | 2261 |
| Jul-2009 | 3857 | 1685 | 2267 |
| Aug-2009 | 3810 | 1555 | 2119 |
| Sep-2009 | 3944 | 1627 | 2195 |
| Oct-2009 | 3838 | 1660 | 2028 |
| Nov-2009 | 4024 | 1810 | 1913 |
| Dec-2009 | 4004 | 1766 | 2033 |
| Jan-2010 | 3904 | 1742 | 1880 |
| Feb-2010 | 3864 | 1844 | 1825 |
| Mar-2010 | 4302 | 1856 | 1924 |
| Apr-2010 | 4159 | 1897 | 1749 |
| May-2010 | 4420 | 1813 | 1762 |
| Jun-2010 | 4111 | 1911 | 2075 |
| Jul-2010 | 4163 | 1785 | 2166 |
| Aug-2010 | 4046 | 1842 | 1890 |
| Sep-2010 | 4034 | 1895 | 1832 |
| Oct-2010 | 4173 | 1846 | 1745 |
| Nov-2010 | 4182 | 1887 | 1849 |
| Dec-2010 | 4299 | 1977 | 1854 |
| Jan-2011 | 4000 | 1832 | 1827 |
| Feb-2011 | 4231 | 1958 | 1755 |
| Mar-2011 | 4430 | 2033 | 1794 |
| Apr-2011 | 4296 | 1882 | 1792 |
| May-2011 | 4261 | 1965 | 1904 |
| Jun-2011 | 4366 | 1923 | 1942 |
| Jul-2011 | 4261 | 1986 | 1845 |
| Aug-2011 | 4298 | 2031 | 1845 |
| Sep-2011 | 4429 | 2041 | 1872 |
| Oct-2011 | 4370 | 1997 | 1794 |
| Nov-2011 | 4365 | 2039 | 1912 |
| Dec-2011 | 4356 | 1981 | 1801 |
| Jan-2012 | 4457 | 2030 | 1797 |
| Feb-2012 | 4560 | 2130 | 1903 |
| Mar-2012 | 4575 | 2167 | 1784 |
| Apr-2012 | 4389 | 2134 | 1880 |
| May-2012 | 4533 | 2138 | 1969 |
| Jun-2012 | 4440 | 2152 | 1892 |
| Jul-2012 | 4327 | 2072 | 1722 |
| Aug-2012 | 4450 | 2069 | 1894 |
| Sep-2012 | 4302 | 1950 | 1805 |
| Oct-2012 | 4389 | 2035 | 1891 |
| Nov-2012 | 4489 | 2078 | 1921 |
| Dec-2012 | 4452 | 2051 | 1700 |
| Jan-2013 | 4487 | 2280 | 1678 |
| Feb-2013 | 4571 | 2298 | 1664 |
| Mar-2013 | 4369 | 2124 | 1787 |
| Apr-2013 | 4572 | 2296 | 1793 |
| May-2013 | 4663 | 2234 | 1836 |
| Jun-2013 | 4440 | 2203 | 1761 |
| Jul-2013 | 4561 | 2363 | 1713 |
| Aug-2013 | 4730 | 2316 | 1816 |
| Sep-2013 | 4726 | 2302 | 1892 |
| Oct-2013 | 4518 | 2372 | 1675 |
| Nov-2013 | 4622 | 2391 | 1630 |
| Dec-2013 | 4614 | 2287 | 1770 |
| Jan-2014 | 4626 | 2311 | 1806 |
| Feb-2014 | 4696 | 2411 | 1767 |
| Mar-2014 | 4763 | 2449 | 1703 |
| Apr-2014 | 4880 | 2474 | 1764 |
| May-2014 | 4808 | 2483 | 1710 |
| Jun-2014 | 4925 | 2507 | 1761 |
| Jul-2014 | 5008 | 2633 | 1781 |
| Aug-2014 | 4810 | 2549 | 1699 |
| Sep-2014 | 5149 | 2732 | 1718 |
| Oct-2014 | 5111 | 2718 | 1835 |
| Nov-2014 | 4978 | 2600 | 1726 |
| Dec-2014 | 5192 | 2552 | 1857 |
| Jan-2015 | 5061 | 2764 | 1789 |
| Feb-2015 | 5127 | 2741 | 1757 |
| Mar-2015 | 5126 | 2754 | 1973 |
| Apr-2015 | 5196 | 2705 | 1856 |
| May-2015 | 5142 | 2743 | 1711 |
| Jun-2015 | 5125 | 2756 | 1821 |
| Jul-2015 | 5150 | 2764 | 1703 |
| Aug-2015 | 5163 | 2879 | 1773 |
| Sep-2015 | 5287 | 2778 | 1964 |
| Oct-2015 | 5338 | 2810 | 1845 |
| Nov-2015 | 5358 | 2897 | 1779 |
| Dec-2015 | 5540 | 3056 | 1803 |
| Jan-2016 | 5220 | 2875 | 1805 |
| Feb-2016 | 5470 | 2994 | 1894 |
| Mar-2016 | 5359 | 2917 | 1850 |
| Apr-2016 | 5294 | 2955 | 1771 |
| May-2016 | 5197 | 3009 | 1825 |
| Jun-2016 | 5281 | 3018 | 1750 |
| Jul-2016 | 5426 | 2967 | 1759 |
| Aug-2016 | 5327 | 2998 | 1860 |
| Sep-2016 | 5306 | 3047 | 1588 |
| Oct-2016 | 5210 | 3074 | 1664 |
| Nov-2016 | 5308 | 3026 | 1751 |
| Dec-2016 | 5343 | 2989 | 1708 |
| Jan-2017 | 5499 | 3188 | 1745 |
| Feb-2017 | 5350 | 3089 | 1711 |
| Mar-2017 | 5395 | 3150 | 1762 |
| Apr-2017 | 5272 | 3028 | 1710 |
| May-2017 | 5477 | 3111 | 1794 |
| Jun-2017 | 5635 | 3154 | 1970 |
| Jul-2017 | 5497 | 3097 | 1910 |
| Aug-2017 | 5519 | 3103 | 1868 |
| Sep-2017 | 5450 | 3190 | 1787 |
| Oct-2017 | 5581 | 3219 | 1837 |
| Nov-2017 | 5494 | 3186 | 1747 |
| Dec-2017 | 5421 | 3222 | 1732 |
| Jan-2018 | 5512 | 3019 | 1932 |
| Feb-2018 | 5624 | 3222 | 1771 |
| Mar-2018 | 5623 | 3323 | 1795 |
| Apr-2018 | 5590 | 3370 | 1727 |
| May-2018 | 5859 | 3382 | 1775 |
| Jun-2018 | 5760 | 3382 | 1822 |
| Jul-2018 | 5649 | 3426 | 1806 |
| Aug-2018 | 5815 | 3423 | 1803 |
| Sep-2018 | 5625 | 3391 | 1764 |
| Oct-2018 | 5907 | 3458 | 1813 |
| Nov-2018 | 5826 | 3511 | 1938 |
| Dec-2018 | 5768 | 3407 | 1839 |
| Jan-2019 | 5786 | 3517 | 1705 |
| Feb-2019 | 5704 | 3547 | 1763 |
| Mar-2019 | 5689 | 3529 | 1690 |
| Apr-2019 | 6016 | 3501 | 1963 |
| May-2019 | 5686 | 3472 | 1775 |
| Jun-2019 | 5801 | 3474 | 1780 |
| Jul-2019 | 5871 | 3654 | 1833 |
| Aug-2019 | 5900 | 3540 | 1808 |
| Sep-2019 | 5963 | 3447 | 1970 |
| Oct-2019 | 5781 | 3452 | 1819 |
| Nov-2019 | 5847 | 3541 | 1782 |
| Dec-2019 | 5951 | 3487 | 1931 |
| Jan-2020 | 5981 | 3563 | 1808 |
| Feb-2020 | 5990 | 3497 | 1954 |
| Mar-2020 | 5171 | 2933 | 12985 |
| Apr-2020 | 4029 | 1991 | 9170 |
| May-2020 | 8133 | 2259 | 2139 |
| Jun-2020 | 7477 | 2594 | 2245 |
| Jul-2020 | 6320 | 3020 | 1827 |
| Aug-2020 | 6004 | 2931 | 1560 |
| Sep-2020 | 5966 | 3185 | 1567 |
| Oct-2020 | 6091 | 3311 | 1697 |
| Nov-2020 | 5894 | 3209 | 2097 |
| Dec-2020 | 5577 | 3369 | 1906 |
| Jan-2021 | 5594 | 3285 | 1657 |
| Feb-2021 | 5772 | 3429 | 1625 |
| Mar-2021 | 6148 | 3661 | 1488 |
| Apr-2021 | 6216 | 3909 | 1430 |
| May-2021 | 6013 | 3836 | 1352 |
| Jun-2021 | 6606 | 3985 | 1299 |
| Jul-2021 | 6732 | 4031 | 1390 |
| Aug-2021 | 6390 | 4122 | 1338 |
| Sep-2021 | 6653 | 4320 | 1428 |
| Oct-2021 | 6652 | 4131 | 1285 |
| Nov-2021 | 6811 | 4491 | 1368 |
| Dec-2021 | 6596 | 4387 | 1376 |
| Jan-2022 | 6400 | 4404 | 1434 |
| Feb-2022 | 6806 | 4321 | 1420 |
| Mar-2022 | 6607 | 4499 | 1383 |
| Apr-2022 | 6614 | 4457 | 1353 |
| May-2022 | 6461 | 4259 | 1509 |
| Jun-2022 | 6510 | 4139 | 1497 |
| Jul-2022 | 6470 | 4005 | 1459 |
| Aug-2022 | 6443 | 4200 | 1609 |
| Sep-2022 | 6206 | 4111 | 1443 |
| Oct-2022 | 6104 | 3945 | 1539 |
| Nov-2022 | 6134 | 4080 | 1461 |
| Dec-2022 | 6113 | 4173 | 1520 |
| Jan-2023 | 6347 | 3833 | 1904 |
| Feb-2023 | 6020 | 3926 | 1539 |
| Mar-2023 | 5932 | 3820 | 1814 |
| Apr-2023 | 5954 | 3619 | 1686 |
| May-2023 | 6128 | 4013 | 1519 |
| Jun-2023 | 5930 | 3689 | 1637 |
| Jul-2023 | 5646 | 3562 | 1675 |
| Aug-2023 | 5824 | 3618 | 1691 |
| Sep-2023 | 5772 | 3638 | 1561 |
| Oct-2023 | 5700 | 3558 | 1621 |
| Nov-2023 | 5501 | 3549 | 1526 |
| Dec-2023 | 5614 | 3370 | 1648 |
| Jan-2024 | 5572 | 3353 | 1692 |
| Feb-2024 | 5664 | 3468 | 1681 |
| Mar-2024 | 5472 | 3329 | 1614 |
| Apr-2024 | 5584 | 3414 | 1587 |
| May-2024 | 5573 | 3355 | 1665 |
| Jun-2024 | 5088 | 3284 | 1467 |
| Jul-2024 | 5451 | 3390 | 1745 |
| Aug-2024 | 5230 | 3177 | 1697 |
| Sep-2024 | 5519 | 3085 | 1844 |
| Oct-2024 | 5350 | 3217 | 1788 |
| Nov-2024 | 5307 | 3032 | 1739 |
| Dec-2024 | 5374 | 3095 | 1669 |
| Jan-2025 | 5371 | 3256 | 1674 |
| Feb-2025 | 5370 | 3250 | 1780 |
| Mar-2025 | 5404 | 3344 | 1590 |
| Apr-2025 | 5573 | 3194 | 1786 |
Note: Shaded areas denote recessions.
Source: EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey
Hires are greater than quits in all sectors while lower wage sectors experience higher levels of quits and hires: Hires and quits rates by major sector, April 2025
Notes: Data provided for all sectors with complementary information on both hires and quits rates for Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (x- and y-axis data) and private sector hourly wage rates from the Current Establishment Survey for the corresponding month (data for size of bubbles); 45 degree line represent data where hires rates are equal to quits rates in each sector.
Source: EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey and Current Employment Survey public data series.
Job openings and unemployment levels, 2000–2025
| date | Unemployment, two-month average | Openings |
|---|---|---|
| 2000-12-01 | 5636.5 | 5088 |
| 2001-01-01 | 5828.5 | 5234 |
| 2001-02-01 | 6056 | 5097 |
| 2001-03-01 | 6115 | 4762 |
| 2001-04-01 | 6206 | 4615 |
| 2001-05-01 | 6248.5 | 4425 |
| 2001-06-01 | 6355 | 4361 |
| 2001-07-01 | 6533.5 | 4447 |
| 2001-08-01 | 6812.5 | 4024 |
| 2001-09-01 | 7092 | 4071 |
| 2001-10-01 | 7418 | 3707 |
| 2001-11-01 | 7848.5 | 3775 |
| 2001-12-01 | 8130.5 | 3677 |
| 2002-01-01 | 8220 | 3699 |
| 2002-02-01 | 8198.5 | 3436 |
| 2002-03-01 | 8259.5 | 3612 |
| 2002-04-01 | 8451.5 | 3471 |
| 2002-05-01 | 8499 | 3457 |
| 2002-06-01 | 8396 | 3412 |
| 2002-07-01 | 8391.5 | 3367 |
| 2002-08-01 | 8347 | 3517 |
| 2002-09-01 | 8277.5 | 3301 |
| 2002-10-01 | 8279 | 3479 |
| 2002-11-01 | 8413.5 | 3514 |
| 2002-12-01 | 8580 | 3169 |
| 2003-01-01 | 8580 | 3441 |
| 2003-02-01 | 8569 | 3229 |
| 2003-03-01 | 8603 | 3099 |
| 2003-04-01 | 8715 | 3108 |
| 2003-05-01 | 8899.5 | 3289 |
| 2003-06-01 | 9111.5 | 3390 |
| 2003-07-01 | 9138.5 | 2981 |
| 2003-08-01 | 8953.5 | 3190 |
| 2003-09-01 | 8908.5 | 3091 |
| 2003-10-01 | 8826.5 | 3305 |
| 2003-11-01 | 8654 | 3324 |
| 2003-12-01 | 8446.5 | 3414 |
| 2004-01-01 | 8343.5 | 3424 |
| 2004-02-01 | 8268.5 | 3532 |
| 2004-03-01 | 8329 | 3525 |
| 2004-04-01 | 8330.5 | 3511 |
| 2004-05-01 | 8191 | 3710 |
| 2004-06-01 | 8249 | 3337 |
| 2004-07-01 | 8211 | 3814 |
| 2004-08-01 | 8063 | 3541 |
| 2004-09-01 | 7958.5 | 3821 |
| 2004-10-01 | 7994 | 3943 |
| 2004-11-01 | 7996.5 | 3472 |
| 2004-12-01 | 7933 | 4074 |
| 2005-01-01 | 7859 | 3804 |
| 2005-02-01 | 7882 | 3965 |
| 2005-03-01 | 7858.5 | 4044 |
| 2005-04-01 | 7704.5 | 4159 |
| 2005-05-01 | 7661.5 | 3797 |
| 2005-06-01 | 7587.5 | 4062 |
| 2005-07-01 | 7465 | 4256 |
| 2005-08-01 | 7375.5 | 4142 |
| 2005-09-01 | 7449 | 4352 |
| 2005-10-01 | 7503 | 4184 |
| 2005-11-01 | 7509.5 | 4248 |
| 2005-12-01 | 7422.5 | 4282 |
| 2006-01-01 | 7171.5 | 4397 |
| 2006-02-01 | 7124 | 4325 |
| 2006-03-01 | 7128 | 4732 |
| 2006-04-01 | 7096 | 4790 |
| 2006-05-01 | 7050 | 4463 |
| 2006-06-01 | 6990.5 | 4614 |
| 2006-07-01 | 7088 | 4394 |
| 2006-08-01 | 7133 | 4710 |
| 2006-09-01 | 6969 | 4737 |
| 2006-10-01 | 6787 | 4591 |
| 2006-11-01 | 6799.5 | 4645 |
| 2006-12-01 | 6817 | 4620 |
| 2007-01-01 | 6939 | 4763 |
| 2007-02-01 | 7021.5 | 4699 |
| 2007-03-01 | 6829 | 4962 |
| 2007-04-01 | 6790.5 | 4689 |
| 2007-05-01 | 6808 | 4657 |
| 2007-06-01 | 6872.5 | 4859 |
| 2007-07-01 | 7064 | 4598 |
| 2007-08-01 | 7108 | 4546 |
| 2007-09-01 | 7118.5 | 4652 |
| 2007-10-01 | 7203.5 | 4636 |
| 2007-11-01 | 7238.5 | 4646 |
| 2007-12-01 | 7442.5 | 4545 |
| 2008-01-01 | 7665 | 4624 |
| 2008-02-01 | 7591 | 4279 |
| 2008-03-01 | 7659.5 | 4225 |
| 2008-04-01 | 7729.5 | 4035 |
| 2008-05-01 | 8016 | 4194 |
| 2008-06-01 | 8485 | 3830 |
| 2008-07-01 | 8756 | 3749 |
| 2008-08-01 | 9187.5 | 3674 |
| 2008-09-01 | 9466 | 3222 |
| 2008-10-01 | 9784 | 3377 |
| 2008-11-01 | 10306 | 3231 |
| 2008-12-01 | 10912 | 3146 |
| 2009-01-01 | 11672 | 2738 |
| 2009-02-01 | 12478 | 2864 |
| 2009-03-01 | 13162 | 2534 |
| 2009-04-01 | 13639.5 | 2295 |
| 2009-05-01 | 14176 | 2549 |
| 2009-06-01 | 14603 | 2503 |
| 2009-07-01 | 14654 | 2232 |
| 2009-08-01 | 14707.5 | 2338 |
| 2009-09-01 | 14911.5 | 2487 |
| 2009-10-01 | 15180.5 | 2406 |
| 2009-11-01 | 15285.5 | 2503 |
| 2009-12-01 | 15158.5 | 2568 |
| 2010-01-01 | 15072 | 2837 |
| 2010-02-01 | 15079.5 | 2666 |
| 2010-03-01 | 15157.5 | 2679 |
| 2010-04-01 | 15263.5 | 3153 |
| 2010-05-01 | 15087 | 2988 |
| 2010-06-01 | 14661.5 | 2801 |
| 2010-07-01 | 14493 | 3082 |
| 2010-08-01 | 14580 | 2999 |
| 2010-09-01 | 14613.5 | 2918 |
| 2010-10-01 | 14547.5 | 3235 |
| 2010-11-01 | 14798.5 | 3211 |
| 2010-12-01 | 14714.5 | 3058 |
| 2011-01-01 | 14180.5 | 3104 |
| 2011-02-01 | 13916.5 | 3226 |
| 2011-03-01 | 13778.5 | 3261 |
| 2011-04-01 | 13847 | 3259 |
| 2011-05-01 | 13906 | 3179 |
| 2011-06-01 | 13908.5 | 3455 |
| 2011-07-01 | 13862.5 | 3623 |
| 2011-08-01 | 13790.5 | 3329 |
| 2011-09-01 | 13883 | 3774 |
| 2011-10-01 | 13771 | 3619 |
| 2011-11-01 | 13448 | 3565 |
| 2011-12-01 | 13197.5 | 3768 |
| 2012-01-01 | 12945 | 3909 |
| 2012-02-01 | 12805 | 3616 |
| 2012-03-01 | 12763 | 3979 |
| 2012-04-01 | 12679.5 | 3793 |
| 2012-05-01 | 12653 | 3835 |
| 2012-06-01 | 12676 | 3911 |
| 2012-07-01 | 12674 | 3735 |
| 2012-08-01 | 12563.5 | 3809 |
| 2012-09-01 | 12293 | 3882 |
| 2012-10-01 | 12119.5 | 3775 |
| 2012-11-01 | 12064.5 | 3878 |
| 2012-12-01 | 12151.5 | 3970 |
| 2013-01-01 | 12384.5 | 3923 |
| 2013-02-01 | 12210.5 | 4004 |
| 2013-03-01 | 11819.5 | 4076 |
| 2013-04-01 | 11724.5 | 3988 |
| 2013-05-01 | 11707 | 4145 |
| 2013-06-01 | 11702.5 | 4150 |
| 2013-07-01 | 11543 | 3885 |
| 2013-08-01 | 11307 | 4085 |
| 2013-09-01 | 11274.5 | 4128 |
| 2013-10-01 | 11203 | 4222 |
| 2013-11-01 | 10961.5 | 4119 |
| 2013-12-01 | 10595.5 | 4121 |
| 2014-01-01 | 10303 | 4127 |
| 2014-02-01 | 10275.5 | 4373 |
| 2014-03-01 | 10364.5 | 4388 |
| 2014-04-01 | 10041 | 4566 |
| 2014-05-01 | 9780.5 | 4747 |
| 2014-06-01 | 9659.5 | 4982 |
| 2014-07-01 | 9534 | 4846 |
| 2014-08-01 | 9603.5 | 5349 |
| 2014-09-01 | 9430.5 | 4914 |
| 2014-10-01 | 9126 | 5012 |
| 2014-11-01 | 9040 | 4843 |
| 2014-12-01 | 8903.5 | 5130 |
| 2015-01-01 | 8801 | 5344 |
| 2015-02-01 | 8742 | 5466 |
| 2015-03-01 | 8557 | 5210 |
| 2015-04-01 | 8532.5 | 5598 |
| 2015-05-01 | 8692 | 5563 |
| 2015-06-01 | 8540.5 | 5248 |
| 2015-07-01 | 8207 | 6056 |
| 2015-08-01 | 8079.5 | 5467 |
| 2015-09-01 | 7949.5 | 5488 |
| 2015-10-01 | 7914.5 | 5773 |
| 2015-11-01 | 7961 | 5708 |
| 2015-12-01 | 7953.5 | 5845 |
| 2016-01-01 | 7767 | 6012 |
| 2016-02-01 | 7664.5 | 5770 |
| 2016-03-01 | 7831.5 | 6129 |
| 2016-04-01 | 8014 | 5803 |
| 2016-05-01 | 7859.5 | 5777 |
| 2016-06-01 | 7698 | 5742 |
| 2016-07-01 | 7692.5 | 5962 |
| 2016-08-01 | 7712.5 | 5677 |
| 2016-09-01 | 7868.5 | 5868 |
| 2016-10-01 | 7882 | 5591 |
| 2016-11-01 | 7682 | 5971 |
| 2016-12-01 | 7537 | 5964 |
| 2017-01-01 | 7494.5 | 5617 |
| 2017-02-01 | 7423.5 | 5923 |
| 2017-03-01 | 7226 | 5811 |
| 2017-04-01 | 7081 | 6091 |
| 2017-05-01 | 7044.5 | 5826 |
| 2017-06-01 | 6936.5 | 6305 |
| 2017-07-01 | 6882.5 | 6238 |
| 2017-08-01 | 6987 | 6276 |
| 2017-09-01 | 6968 | 6320 |
| 2017-10-01 | 6777 | 6408 |
| 2017-11-01 | 6737 | 6271 |
| 2017-12-01 | 6703 | 6336 |
| 2018-01-01 | 6560.5 | 6621 |
| 2018-02-01 | 6535 | 6552 |
| 2018-03-01 | 6526.5 | 6818 |
| 2018-04-01 | 6465.5 | 6877 |
| 2018-05-01 | 6327.5 | 7016 |
| 2018-06-01 | 6321.5 | 7230 |
| 2018-07-01 | 6321 | 7190 |
| 2018-08-01 | 6175.5 | 7208 |
| 2018-09-01 | 6114.5 | 7411 |
| 2018-10-01 | 6142 | 7304 |
| 2018-11-01 | 6163 | 7594 |
| 2018-12-01 | 6252 | 7489 |
| 2019-01-01 | 6432 | 7502 |
| 2019-02-01 | 6305.5 | 7066 |
| 2019-03-01 | 6169 | 7317 |
| 2019-04-01 | 6081.5 | 7272 |
| 2019-05-01 | 5945.5 | 7275 |
| 2019-06-01 | 5932.5 | 7194 |
| 2019-07-01 | 5998 | 7042 |
| 2019-08-01 | 6003 | 7178 |
| 2019-09-01 | 5849 | 7124 |
| 2019-10-01 | 5812 | 7289 |
| 2019-11-01 | 5869.5 | 6888 |
| 2019-12-01 | 5860.5 | 6699 |
| 2020-01-01 | 5861 | 7124 |
| 2020-02-01 | 5811 | 6966 |
| 2020-03-01 | 6479.5 | 5894 |
| 2020-04-01 | 15145 | 4606 |
| 2020-05-01 | 22006.5 | 5612 |
| 2020-06-01 | 19290.5 | 6129 |
| 2020-07-01 | 17002 | 6530 |
| 2020-08-01 | 14906.5 | 6429 |
| 2020-09-01 | 13007.5 | 6511 |
| 2020-10-01 | 11813 | 6798 |
| 2020-11-01 | 10883 | 6820 |
| 2020-12-01 | 10732 | 6773 |
| 2021-01-01 | 10503 | 7204 |
| 2021-02-01 | 10115.5 | 7752 |
| 2021-03-01 | 9875.5 | 8470 |
| 2021-04-01 | 9759 | 9356 |
| 2021-05-01 | 9514 | 9905 |
| 2021-06-01 | 9364 | 10298 |
| 2021-07-01 | 9096.5 | 11049 |
| 2021-08-01 | 8503.5 | 10956 |
| 2021-09-01 | 7964 | 10879 |
| 2021-10-01 | 7465.5 | 11341 |
| 2021-11-01 | 7015 | 11119 |
| 2021-12-01 | 6574.5 | 11417 |
| 2022-01-01 | 6455 | 11238 |
| 2022-02-01 | 6406.5 | 11661 |
| 2022-03-01 | 6157.5 | 12134 |
| 2022-04-01 | 6008 | 11881 |
| 2022-05-01 | 5992.5 | 11483 |
| 2022-06-01 | 5967 | 11256 |
| 2022-07-01 | 5859.5 | 11610 |
| 2022-08-01 | 5843.5 | 10148 |
| 2022-09-01 | 5855.5 | 10812 |
| 2022-10-01 | 5878 | 10488 |
| 2022-11-01 | 5953.5 | 10619 |
| 2022-12-01 | 5854.5 | 10876 |
| 2023-01-01 | 5756.5 | 10393 |
| 2023-02-01 | 5854.5 | 9846 |
| 2023-03-01 | 5900.5 | 9572 |
| 2023-04-01 | 5795 | 9992 |
| 2023-05-01 | 5920 | 9310 |
| 2023-06-01 | 6023.5 | 9191 |
| 2023-07-01 | 5939 | 8606 |
| 2023-08-01 | 6102 | 9287 |
| 2023-09-01 | 6305 | 9279 |
| 2023-10-01 | 6402.5 | 8550 |
| 2023-11-01 | 6366.5 | 8663 |
| 2023-12-01 | 6284.5 | 8585 |
| 2024-01-01 | 6232 | 8468 |
| 2024-02-01 | 6305.5 | 8445 |
| 2024-03-01 | 6479.5 | 8093 |
| 2024-04-01 | 6494.5 | 7619 |
| 2024-05-01 | 6563.5 | 7901 |
| 2024-06-01 | 6742 | 7412 |
| 2024-07-01 | 6973 | 7504 |
| 2024-08-01 | 7084 | 7649 |
| 2024-09-01 | 6986 | 7103 |
| 2024-10-01 | 6936.5 | 7615 |
| 2024-11-01 | 7046.5 | 8031 |
| 2024-12-01 | 7003.5 | 7508 |
| 2025-01-01 | 6867.5 | 7762 |
| 2025-02-01 | 6950.5 | 7480 |
| 2025-03-01 | 7067.5 | 7200 |
| 2025-04-01 | 7124 | 7391 |
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.
JOLTS
Job openings, 2000–2025
| date | Openings |
|---|---|
| 2000-12-01 | 5088 |
| 2001-01-01 | 5234 |
| 2001-02-01 | 5097 |
| 2001-03-01 | 4762 |
| 2001-04-01 | 4615 |
| 2001-05-01 | 4425 |
| 2001-06-01 | 4361 |
| 2001-07-01 | 4447 |
| 2001-08-01 | 4024 |
| 2001-09-01 | 4071 |
| 2001-10-01 | 3707 |
| 2001-11-01 | 3775 |
| 2001-12-01 | 3677 |
| 2002-01-01 | 3699 |
| 2002-02-01 | 3436 |
| 2002-03-01 | 3612 |
| 2002-04-01 | 3471 |
| 2002-05-01 | 3457 |
| 2002-06-01 | 3412 |
| 2002-07-01 | 3367 |
| 2002-08-01 | 3517 |
| 2002-09-01 | 3301 |
| 2002-10-01 | 3479 |
| 2002-11-01 | 3514 |
| 2002-12-01 | 3169 |
| 2003-01-01 | 3441 |
| 2003-02-01 | 3229 |
| 2003-03-01 | 3099 |
| 2003-04-01 | 3108 |
| 2003-05-01 | 3289 |
| 2003-06-01 | 3390 |
| 2003-07-01 | 2981 |
| 2003-08-01 | 3190 |
| 2003-09-01 | 3091 |
| 2003-10-01 | 3305 |
| 2003-11-01 | 3324 |
| 2003-12-01 | 3414 |
| 2004-01-01 | 3424 |
| 2004-02-01 | 3532 |
| 2004-03-01 | 3525 |
| 2004-04-01 | 3511 |
| 2004-05-01 | 3710 |
| 2004-06-01 | 3337 |
| 2004-07-01 | 3814 |
| 2004-08-01 | 3541 |
| 2004-09-01 | 3821 |
| 2004-10-01 | 3943 |
| 2004-11-01 | 3472 |
| 2004-12-01 | 4074 |
| 2005-01-01 | 3804 |
| 2005-02-01 | 3965 |
| 2005-03-01 | 4044 |
| 2005-04-01 | 4159 |
| 2005-05-01 | 3797 |
| 2005-06-01 | 4062 |
| 2005-07-01 | 4256 |
| 2005-08-01 | 4142 |
| 2005-09-01 | 4352 |
| 2005-10-01 | 4184 |
| 2005-11-01 | 4248 |
| 2005-12-01 | 4282 |
| 2006-01-01 | 4397 |
| 2006-02-01 | 4325 |
| 2006-03-01 | 4732 |
| 2006-04-01 | 4790 |
| 2006-05-01 | 4463 |
| 2006-06-01 | 4614 |
| 2006-07-01 | 4394 |
| 2006-08-01 | 4710 |
| 2006-09-01 | 4737 |
| 2006-10-01 | 4591 |
| 2006-11-01 | 4645 |
| 2006-12-01 | 4620 |
| 2007-01-01 | 4763 |
| 2007-02-01 | 4699 |
| 2007-03-01 | 4962 |
| 2007-04-01 | 4689 |
| 2007-05-01 | 4657 |
| 2007-06-01 | 4859 |
| 2007-07-01 | 4598 |
| 2007-08-01 | 4546 |
| 2007-09-01 | 4652 |
| 2007-10-01 | 4636 |
| 2007-11-01 | 4646 |
| 2007-12-01 | 4545 |
| 2008-01-01 | 4624 |
| 2008-02-01 | 4279 |
| 2008-03-01 | 4225 |
| 2008-04-01 | 4035 |
| 2008-05-01 | 4194 |
| 2008-06-01 | 3830 |
| 2008-07-01 | 3749 |
| 2008-08-01 | 3674 |
| 2008-09-01 | 3222 |
| 2008-10-01 | 3377 |
| 2008-11-01 | 3231 |
| 2008-12-01 | 3146 |
| 2009-01-01 | 2738 |
| 2009-02-01 | 2864 |
| 2009-03-01 | 2534 |
| 2009-04-01 | 2295 |
| 2009-05-01 | 2549 |
| 2009-06-01 | 2503 |
| 2009-07-01 | 2232 |
| 2009-08-01 | 2338 |
| 2009-09-01 | 2487 |
| 2009-10-01 | 2406 |
| 2009-11-01 | 2503 |
| 2009-12-01 | 2568 |
| 2010-01-01 | 2837 |
| 2010-02-01 | 2666 |
| 2010-03-01 | 2679 |
| 2010-04-01 | 3153 |
| 2010-05-01 | 2988 |
| 2010-06-01 | 2801 |
| 2010-07-01 | 3082 |
| 2010-08-01 | 2999 |
| 2010-09-01 | 2918 |
| 2010-10-01 | 3235 |
| 2010-11-01 | 3211 |
| 2010-12-01 | 3058 |
| 2011-01-01 | 3104 |
| 2011-02-01 | 3226 |
| 2011-03-01 | 3261 |
| 2011-04-01 | 3259 |
| 2011-05-01 | 3179 |
| 2011-06-01 | 3455 |
| 2011-07-01 | 3623 |
| 2011-08-01 | 3329 |
| 2011-09-01 | 3774 |
| 2011-10-01 | 3619 |
| 2011-11-01 | 3565 |
| 2011-12-01 | 3768 |
| 2012-01-01 | 3909 |
| 2012-02-01 | 3616 |
| 2012-03-01 | 3979 |
| 2012-04-01 | 3793 |
| 2012-05-01 | 3835 |
| 2012-06-01 | 3911 |
| 2012-07-01 | 3735 |
| 2012-08-01 | 3809 |
| 2012-09-01 | 3882 |
| 2012-10-01 | 3775 |
| 2012-11-01 | 3878 |
| 2012-12-01 | 3970 |
| 2013-01-01 | 3923 |
| 2013-02-01 | 4004 |
| 2013-03-01 | 4076 |
| 2013-04-01 | 3988 |
| 2013-05-01 | 4145 |
| 2013-06-01 | 4150 |
| 2013-07-01 | 3885 |
| 2013-08-01 | 4085 |
| 2013-09-01 | 4128 |
| 2013-10-01 | 4222 |
| 2013-11-01 | 4119 |
| 2013-12-01 | 4121 |
| 2014-01-01 | 4127 |
| 2014-02-01 | 4373 |
| 2014-03-01 | 4388 |
| 2014-04-01 | 4566 |
| 2014-05-01 | 4747 |
| 2014-06-01 | 4982 |
| 2014-07-01 | 4846 |
| 2014-08-01 | 5349 |
| 2014-09-01 | 4914 |
| 2014-10-01 | 5012 |
| 2014-11-01 | 4843 |
| 2014-12-01 | 5130 |
| 2015-01-01 | 5344 |
| 2015-02-01 | 5466 |
| 2015-03-01 | 5210 |
| 2015-04-01 | 5598 |
| 2015-05-01 | 5563 |
| 2015-06-01 | 5248 |
| 2015-07-01 | 6056 |
| 2015-08-01 | 5467 |
| 2015-09-01 | 5488 |
| 2015-10-01 | 5773 |
| 2015-11-01 | 5708 |
| 2015-12-01 | 5845 |
| 2016-01-01 | 6012 |
| 2016-02-01 | 5770 |
| 2016-03-01 | 6129 |
| 2016-04-01 | 5803 |
| 2016-05-01 | 5777 |
| 2016-06-01 | 5742 |
| 2016-07-01 | 5962 |
| 2016-08-01 | 5677 |
| 2016-09-01 | 5868 |
| 2016-10-01 | 5591 |
| 2016-11-01 | 5971 |
| 2016-12-01 | 5964 |
| 2017-01-01 | 5617 |
| 2017-02-01 | 5923 |
| 2017-03-01 | 5811 |
| 2017-04-01 | 6091 |
| 2017-05-01 | 5826 |
| 2017-06-01 | 6305 |
| 2017-07-01 | 6238 |
| 2017-08-01 | 6276 |
| 2017-09-01 | 6320 |
| 2017-10-01 | 6408 |
| 2017-11-01 | 6271 |
| 2017-12-01 | 6336 |
| 2018-01-01 | 6621 |
| 2018-02-01 | 6552 |
| 2018-03-01 | 6818 |
| 2018-04-01 | 6877 |
| 2018-05-01 | 7016 |
| 2018-06-01 | 7230 |
| 2018-07-01 | 7190 |
| 2018-08-01 | 7208 |
| 2018-09-01 | 7411 |
| 2018-10-01 | 7304 |
| 2018-11-01 | 7594 |
| 2018-12-01 | 7489 |
| 2019-01-01 | 7502 |
| 2019-02-01 | 7066 |
| 2019-03-01 | 7317 |
| 2019-04-01 | 7272 |
| 2019-05-01 | 7275 |
| 2019-06-01 | 7194 |
| 2019-07-01 | 7042 |
| 2019-08-01 | 7178 |
| 2019-09-01 | 7124 |
| 2019-10-01 | 7289 |
| 2019-11-01 | 6888 |
| 2019-12-01 | 6699 |
| 2020-01-01 | 7124 |
| 2020-02-01 | 6966 |
| 2020-03-01 | 5894 |
| 2020-04-01 | 4606 |
| 2020-05-01 | 5612 |
| 2020-06-01 | 6129 |
| 2020-07-01 | 6530 |
| 2020-08-01 | 6429 |
| 2020-09-01 | 6511 |
| 2020-10-01 | 6798 |
| 2020-11-01 | 6820 |
| 2020-12-01 | 6773 |
| 2021-01-01 | 7204 |
| 2021-02-01 | 7752 |
| 2021-03-01 | 8470 |
| 2021-04-01 | 9356 |
| 2021-05-01 | 9905 |
| 2021-06-01 | 10298 |
| 2021-07-01 | 11049 |
| 2021-08-01 | 10956 |
| 2021-09-01 | 10879 |
| 2021-10-01 | 11341 |
| 2021-11-01 | 11119 |
| 2021-12-01 | 11417 |
| 2022-01-01 | 11238 |
| 2022-02-01 | 11661 |
| 2022-03-01 | 12134 |
| 2022-04-01 | 11881 |
| 2022-05-01 | 11483 |
| 2022-06-01 | 11256 |
| 2022-07-01 | 11610 |
| 2022-08-01 | 10148 |
| 2022-09-01 | 10812 |
| 2022-10-01 | 10488 |
| 2022-11-01 | 10619 |
| 2022-12-01 | 10876 |
| 2023-01-01 | 10393 |
| 2023-02-01 | 9846 |
| 2023-03-01 | 9572 |
| 2023-04-01 | 9992 |
| 2023-05-01 | 9310 |
| 2023-06-01 | 9191 |
| 2023-07-01 | 8606 |
| 2023-08-01 | 9287 |
| 2023-09-01 | 9279 |
| 2023-10-01 | 8550 |
| 2023-11-01 | 8663 |
| 2023-12-01 | 8585 |
| 2024-01-01 | 8468 |
| 2024-02-01 | 8445 |
| 2024-03-01 | 8093 |
| 2024-04-01 | 7619 |
| 2024-05-01 | 7901 |
| 2024-06-01 | 7412 |
| 2024-07-01 | 7504 |
| 2024-08-01 | 7649 |
| 2024-09-01 | 7103 |
| 2024-10-01 | 7615 |
| 2024-11-01 | 8031 |
| 2024-12-01 | 7508 |
| 2025-01-01 | 7762 |
| 2025-02-01 | 7480 |
| 2025-03-01 | 7200 |
| 2025-04-01 | 7391 |
Notes: Shaded areas denote recessions.
Source: EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey.