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 |
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, 2000–2025
| Date | Hires | Quits | Layoffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec-2000 | 5,426 | 2,882 | 2,018 |
| Jan-2001 | 5,722 | 3,245 | 2,220 |
| Feb-2001 | 5,303 | 3,053 | 1,855 |
| Mar-2001 | 5,528 | 3,054 | 2,133 |
| Apr-2001 | 5,204 | 3,163 | 1,883 |
| May-2001 | 5,410 | 2,993 | 2,029 |
| Jun-2001 | 5,109 | 2,878 | 2,015 |
| Jul-2001 | 5,244 | 2,947 | 2,038 |
| Aug-2001 | 5,223 | 2,928 | 2,011 |
| Sep-2001 | 4,954 | 2,703 | 2,107 |
| Oct-2001 | 5,078 | 2,795 | 2,319 |
| Nov-2001 | 4,914 | 2,560 | 2,255 |
| Dec-2001 | 4,829 | 2,559 | 1,922 |
| Jan-2002 | 4,855 | 2,845 | 1,907 |
| Feb-2002 | 4,801 | 2,572 | 1,978 |
| Mar-2002 | 4,706 | 2,493 | 1,883 |
| Apr-2002 | 4,928 | 2,624 | 1,956 |
| May-2002 | 4,857 | 2,537 | 1,967 |
| Jun-2002 | 4,869 | 2,522 | 2,015 |
| Jul-2002 | 4,946 | 2,561 | 2,102 |
| Aug-2002 | 4,871 | 2,561 | 1,923 |
| Sep-2002 | 4,879 | 2,521 | 2,022 |
| Oct-2002 | 4,798 | 2,423 | 1,935 |
| Nov-2002 | 4,792 | 2,403 | 1,944 |
| Dec-2002 | 4,893 | 2,501 | 2,007 |
| Jan-2003 | 5,058 | 2,429 | 2,109 |
| Feb-2003 | 4,714 | 2,490 | 2,015 |
| Mar-2003 | 4,470 | 2,394 | 1,949 |
| Apr-2003 | 4,600 | 2,279 | 1,998 |
| May-2003 | 4,678 | 2,291 | 2,072 |
| Jun-2003 | 4,682 | 2,315 | 2,076 |
| Jul-2003 | 4,639 | 2,271 | 2,062 |
| Aug-2003 | 4,666 | 2,195 | 2,162 |
| Sep-2003 | 4,799 | 2,354 | 1,932 |
| Oct-2003 | 4,902 | 2,415 | 1,969 |
| Nov-2003 | 4,767 | 2,411 | 1,951 |
| Dec-2003 | 4,984 | 2,444 | 2,007 |
| Jan-2004 | 4,900 | 2,354 | 2,037 |
| Feb-2004 | 4,788 | 2,448 | 1,985 |
| Mar-2004 | 5,227 | 2,582 | 2,065 |
| Apr-2004 | 5,152 | 2,534 | 2,010 |
| May-2004 | 4,976 | 2,428 | 1,914 |
| Jun-2004 | 5,009 | 2,659 | 1,887 |
| Jul-2004 | 4,891 | 2,609 | 1,885 |
| Aug-2004 | 5,013 | 2,586 | 1,974 |
| Sep-2004 | 5,062 | 2,531 | 2,027 |
| Oct-2004 | 5,149 | 2,550 | 1,903 |
| Nov-2004 | 5,181 | 2,789 | 2,037 |
| Dec-2004 | 5,153 | 2,695 | 1,951 |
| Jan-2005 | 5,201 | 2,732 | 2,008 |
| Feb-2005 | 5,276 | 2,651 | 2,068 |
| Mar-2005 | 5,273 | 2,747 | 2,188 |
| Apr-2005 | 5,362 | 2,741 | 1,957 |
| May-2005 | 5,271 | 2,763 | 2,021 |
| Jun-2005 | 5,376 | 2,754 | 2,015 |
| Jul-2005 | 5,328 | 2,735 | 1,898 |
| Aug-2005 | 5,409 | 2,957 | 1,905 |
| Sep-2005 | 5,493 | 3,046 | 2,032 |
| Oct-2005 | 5,124 | 2,863 | 1,873 |
| Nov-2005 | 5,344 | 2,895 | 1,769 |
| Dec-2005 | 5,294 | 2,849 | 1,923 |
| Jan-2006 | 5,271 | 2,945 | 1,784 |
| Feb-2006 | 5,474 | 2,965 | 1,882 |
| Mar-2006 | 5,524 | 2,956 | 1,888 |
| Apr-2006 | 5,215 | 2,778 | 1,853 |
| May-2006 | 5,498 | 3,002 | 1,991 |
| Jun-2006 | 5,455 | 3,042 | 1,817 |
| Jul-2006 | 5,573 | 3,047 | 1,860 |
| Aug-2006 | 5,373 | 3,056 | 1,775 |
| Sep-2006 | 5,288 | 2,888 | 1,831 |
| Oct-2006 | 5,375 | 2,983 | 1,898 |
| Nov-2006 | 5,495 | 3,043 | 1,926 |
| Dec-2006 | 5,214 | 2,999 | 1,772 |
| Jan-2007 | 5,426 | 2,956 | 1,922 |
| Feb-2007 | 5,160 | 2,933 | 1,850 |
| Mar-2007 | 5,479 | 2,997 | 1,882 |
| Apr-2007 | 5,353 | 2,911 | 2,000 |
| May-2007 | 5,469 | 3,010 | 1,967 |
| Jun-2007 | 5,267 | 2,910 | 1,845 |
| Jul-2007 | 5,217 | 2,951 | 1,896 |
| Aug-2007 | 5,358 | 3,014 | 2,033 |
| Sep-2007 | 5,344 | 2,691 | 2,188 |
| Oct-2007 | 5,398 | 2,926 | 1,998 |
| Nov-2007 | 5,176 | 2,784 | 1,966 |
| Dec-2007 | 5,119 | 2,773 | 1,915 |
| Jan-2008 | 5,071 | 2,847 | 1,989 |
| Feb-2008 | 5,077 | 2,881 | 1,995 |
| Mar-2008 | 4,924 | 2,661 | 1,918 |
| Apr-2008 | 4,948 | 2,837 | 1,958 |
| May-2008 | 4,691 | 2,607 | 1,950 |
| Jun-2008 | 4,893 | 2,595 | 2,172 |
| Jul-2008 | 4,637 | 2,489 | 2,071 |
| Aug-2008 | 4,682 | 2,445 | 2,190 |
| Sep-2008 | 4,499 | 2,468 | 2,088 |
| Oct-2008 | 4,548 | 2,347 | 2,250 |
| Nov-2008 | 4,104 | 2,157 | 2,290 |
| Dec-2008 | 4,348 | 2,084 | 2,482 |
| Jan-2009 | 4,095 | 1,976 | 2,581 |
| Feb-2009 | 4,061 | 1,952 | 2,599 |
| Mar-2009 | 3,858 | 1,834 | 2,575 |
| Apr-2009 | 3,888 | 1,712 | 2,654 |
| May-2009 | 3,758 | 1,683 | 2,231 |
| Jun-2009 | 3,639 | 1,685 | 2,261 |
| Jul-2009 | 3,857 | 1,685 | 2,267 |
| Aug-2009 | 3,810 | 1,555 | 2,119 |
| Sep-2009 | 3,944 | 1,627 | 2,195 |
| Oct-2009 | 3,838 | 1,660 | 2,028 |
| Nov-2009 | 4,024 | 1,810 | 1,913 |
| Dec-2009 | 4,004 | 1,766 | 2,033 |
| Jan-2010 | 3,904 | 1,742 | 1,880 |
| Feb-2010 | 3,864 | 1,844 | 1,825 |
| Mar-2010 | 4,302 | 1,856 | 1,924 |
| Apr-2010 | 4,159 | 1,897 | 1,749 |
| May-2010 | 4,420 | 1,813 | 1,762 |
| Jun-2010 | 4,111 | 1,911 | 2,075 |
| Jul-2010 | 4,163 | 1,785 | 2,166 |
| Aug-2010 | 4,046 | 1,842 | 1,890 |
| Sep-2010 | 4,034 | 1,895 | 1,832 |
| Oct-2010 | 4,173 | 1,846 | 1,745 |
| Nov-2010 | 4,182 | 1,887 | 1,849 |
| Dec-2010 | 4,299 | 1,977 | 1,854 |
| Jan-2011 | 4,000 | 1,832 | 1,827 |
| Feb-2011 | 4,231 | 1,958 | 1,755 |
| Mar-2011 | 4,430 | 2,033 | 1,794 |
| Apr-2011 | 4,296 | 1,882 | 1,792 |
| May-2011 | 4,261 | 1,965 | 1,904 |
| Jun-2011 | 4,366 | 1,923 | 1,942 |
| Jul-2011 | 4,261 | 1,986 | 1,845 |
| Aug-2011 | 4,298 | 2,031 | 1,845 |
| Sep-2011 | 4,429 | 2,041 | 1,872 |
| Oct-2011 | 4,370 | 1,997 | 1,794 |
| Nov-2011 | 4,365 | 2,039 | 1,912 |
| Dec-2011 | 4,356 | 1,981 | 1,801 |
| Jan-2012 | 4,457 | 2,030 | 1,797 |
| Feb-2012 | 4,560 | 2,130 | 1,903 |
| Mar-2012 | 4,575 | 2,167 | 1,784 |
| Apr-2012 | 4,389 | 2,134 | 1,880 |
| May-2012 | 4,533 | 2,138 | 1,969 |
| Jun-2012 | 4,440 | 2,152 | 1,892 |
| Jul-2012 | 4,327 | 2,072 | 1,722 |
| Aug-2012 | 4,450 | 2,069 | 1,894 |
| Sep-2012 | 4,302 | 1,950 | 1,805 |
| Oct-2012 | 4,389 | 2,035 | 1,891 |
| Nov-2012 | 4,489 | 2,078 | 1,921 |
| Dec-2012 | 4,452 | 2,051 | 1,700 |
| Jan-2013 | 4,487 | 2,280 | 1,678 |
| Feb-2013 | 4,571 | 2,298 | 1,664 |
| Mar-2013 | 4,369 | 2,124 | 1,787 |
| Apr-2013 | 4,572 | 2,296 | 1,793 |
| May-2013 | 4,663 | 2,234 | 1,836 |
| Jun-2013 | 4,440 | 2,203 | 1,761 |
| Jul-2013 | 4,561 | 2,363 | 1,713 |
| Aug-2013 | 4,730 | 2,316 | 1,816 |
| Sep-2013 | 4,726 | 2,302 | 1,892 |
| Oct-2013 | 4,518 | 2,372 | 1,675 |
| Nov-2013 | 4,622 | 2,391 | 1,630 |
| Dec-2013 | 4,614 | 2,287 | 1,770 |
| Jan-2014 | 4,626 | 2,311 | 1,806 |
| Feb-2014 | 4,696 | 2,411 | 1,767 |
| Mar-2014 | 4,763 | 2,449 | 1,703 |
| Apr-2014 | 4,880 | 2,474 | 1,764 |
| May-2014 | 4,808 | 2,483 | 1,710 |
| Jun-2014 | 4,925 | 2,507 | 1,761 |
| Jul-2014 | 5,008 | 2,633 | 1,781 |
| Aug-2014 | 4,810 | 2,549 | 1,699 |
| Sep-2014 | 5,149 | 2,732 | 1,718 |
| Oct-2014 | 5,111 | 2,718 | 1,835 |
| Nov-2014 | 4,978 | 2,600 | 1,726 |
| Dec-2014 | 5,192 | 2,552 | 1,857 |
| Jan-2015 | 5,061 | 2,764 | 1,789 |
| Feb-2015 | 5,127 | 2,741 | 1,757 |
| Mar-2015 | 5,126 | 2,754 | 1,973 |
| Apr-2015 | 5,196 | 2,705 | 1,856 |
| May-2015 | 5,142 | 2,743 | 1,711 |
| Jun-2015 | 5,125 | 2,756 | 1,821 |
| Jul-2015 | 5,150 | 2,764 | 1,703 |
| Aug-2015 | 5,163 | 2,879 | 1,773 |
| Sep-2015 | 5,287 | 2,778 | 1,964 |
| Oct-2015 | 5,338 | 2,810 | 1,845 |
| Nov-2015 | 5,358 | 2,897 | 1,779 |
| Dec-2015 | 5,540 | 3,056 | 1,803 |
| Jan-2016 | 5,220 | 2,875 | 1,805 |
| Feb-2016 | 5,470 | 2,994 | 1,894 |
| Mar-2016 | 5,359 | 2,917 | 1,850 |
| Apr-2016 | 5,294 | 2,955 | 1,771 |
| May-2016 | 5,197 | 3,009 | 1,825 |
| Jun-2016 | 5,281 | 3,018 | 1,750 |
| Jul-2016 | 5,426 | 2,967 | 1,759 |
| Aug-2016 | 5,327 | 2,998 | 1,860 |
| Sep-2016 | 5,306 | 3,047 | 1,588 |
| Oct-2016 | 5,210 | 3,074 | 1,664 |
| Nov-2016 | 5,308 | 3,026 | 1,751 |
| Dec-2016 | 5,343 | 2,989 | 1,708 |
| Jan-2017 | 5,499 | 3,188 | 1,745 |
| Feb-2017 | 5,350 | 3,089 | 1,711 |
| Mar-2017 | 5,395 | 3,150 | 1,762 |
| Apr-2017 | 5,272 | 3,028 | 1,710 |
| May-2017 | 5,477 | 3,111 | 1,794 |
| Jun-2017 | 5,635 | 3,154 | 1,970 |
| Jul-2017 | 5,497 | 3,097 | 1,910 |
| Aug-2017 | 5,519 | 3,103 | 1,868 |
| Sep-2017 | 5,450 | 3,190 | 1,787 |
| Oct-2017 | 5,581 | 3,219 | 1,837 |
| Nov-2017 | 5,494 | 3,186 | 1,747 |
| Dec-2017 | 5,421 | 3,222 | 1,732 |
| Jan-2018 | 5,512 | 3,019 | 1,932 |
| Feb-2018 | 5,624 | 3,222 | 1,771 |
| Mar-2018 | 5,623 | 3,323 | 1,795 |
| Apr-2018 | 5,590 | 3,370 | 1,727 |
| May-2018 | 5,859 | 3,382 | 1,775 |
| Jun-2018 | 5,760 | 3,382 | 1,822 |
| Jul-2018 | 5,649 | 3,426 | 1,806 |
| Aug-2018 | 5,815 | 3,423 | 1,803 |
| Sep-2018 | 5,625 | 3,391 | 1,764 |
| Oct-2018 | 5,907 | 3,458 | 1,813 |
| Nov-2018 | 5,826 | 3,511 | 1,938 |
| Dec-2018 | 5,768 | 3,407 | 1,839 |
| Jan-2019 | 5,786 | 3,517 | 1,705 |
| Feb-2019 | 5,704 | 3,547 | 1,763 |
| Mar-2019 | 5,689 | 3,529 | 1,690 |
| Apr-2019 | 6,016 | 3,501 | 1,963 |
| May-2019 | 5,686 | 3,472 | 1,775 |
| Jun-2019 | 5,801 | 3,474 | 1,780 |
| Jul-2019 | 5,871 | 3,654 | 1,833 |
| Aug-2019 | 5,900 | 3,540 | 1,808 |
| Sep-2019 | 5,963 | 3,447 | 1,970 |
| Oct-2019 | 5,781 | 3,452 | 1,819 |
| Nov-2019 | 5,847 | 3,541 | 1,782 |
| Dec-2019 | 5,951 | 3,487 | 1,931 |
| Jan-2020 | 5,981 | 3,563 | 1,808 |
| Feb-2020 | 5,990 | 3,497 | 1,954 |
| Mar-2020 | 5,171 | 2,933 | 12,985 |
| Apr-2020 | 4,029 | 1,991 | 9,170 |
| May-2020 | 8,133 | 2,259 | 2,139 |
| Jun-2020 | 7,477 | 2,594 | 2,245 |
| Jul-2020 | 6,320 | 3,020 | 1,827 |
| Aug-2020 | 6,004 | 2,931 | 1,560 |
| Sep-2020 | 5,966 | 3,185 | 1,567 |
| Oct-2020 | 6,091 | 3,311 | 1,697 |
| Nov-2020 | 5,894 | 3,209 | 2,097 |
| Dec-2020 | 5,577 | 3,369 | 1,906 |
| Jan-2021 | 5,594 | 3,285 | 1,657 |
| Feb-2021 | 5,772 | 3,429 | 1,625 |
| Mar-2021 | 6,148 | 3,661 | 1,488 |
| Apr-2021 | 6,216 | 3,909 | 1,430 |
| May-2021 | 6,013 | 3,836 | 1,352 |
| Jun-2021 | 6,606 | 3,985 | 1,299 |
| Jul-2021 | 6,732 | 4,031 | 1,390 |
| Aug-2021 | 6,390 | 4,122 | 1,338 |
| Sep-2021 | 6,653 | 4,320 | 1,428 |
| Oct-2021 | 6,652 | 4,131 | 1,285 |
| Nov-2021 | 6,811 | 4,491 | 1,368 |
| Dec-2021 | 6,596 | 4,387 | 1,376 |
| Jan-2022 | 6,400 | 4,404 | 1,434 |
| Feb-2022 | 6,806 | 4,321 | 1,420 |
| Mar-2022 | 6,607 | 4,499 | 1,383 |
| Apr-2022 | 6,614 | 4,457 | 1,353 |
| May-2022 | 6,461 | 4,259 | 1,509 |
| Jun-2022 | 6,510 | 4,139 | 1,497 |
| Jul-2022 | 6,470 | 4,005 | 1,459 |
| Aug-2022 | 6,443 | 4,200 | 1,609 |
| Sep-2022 | 6,206 | 4,111 | 1,443 |
| Oct-2022 | 6,104 | 3,945 | 1,539 |
| Nov-2022 | 6,134 | 4,080 | 1,461 |
| Dec-2022 | 6,113 | 4,173 | 1,520 |
| Jan-2023 | 6,347 | 3,833 | 1,904 |
| Feb-2023 | 6,020 | 3,926 | 1,539 |
| Mar-2023 | 5,932 | 3,820 | 1,814 |
| Apr-2023 | 5,954 | 3,619 | 1,686 |
| May-2023 | 6,128 | 4,013 | 1,519 |
| Jun-2023 | 5,930 | 3,689 | 1,637 |
| Jul-2023 | 5,646 | 3,562 | 1,675 |
| Aug-2023 | 5,824 | 3,618 | 1,691 |
| Sep-2023 | 5,772 | 3,638 | 1,561 |
| Oct-2023 | 5,700 | 3,558 | 1,621 |
| Nov-2023 | 5,501 | 3,549 | 1,526 |
| Dec-2023 | 5,614 | 3,370 | 1,648 |
| Jan-2024 | 5,572 | 3,353 | 1,692 |
| Feb-2024 | 5,664 | 3,468 | 1,681 |
| Mar-2024 | 5,472 | 3,329 | 1,614 |
| Apr-2024 | 5,584 | 3,414 | 1,587 |
| May-2024 | 5,573 | 3,355 | 1,665 |
| Jun-2024 | 5,088 | 3,284 | 1,467 |
| Jul-2024 | 5,451 | 3,390 | 1,745 |
| Aug-2024 | 5,230 | 3,177 | 1,697 |
| Sep-2024 | 5,519 | 3,085 | 1,844 |
| Oct-2024 | 5,350 | 3,217 | 1,788 |
| Nov-2024 | 5,307 | 3,032 | 1,739 |
| Dec-2024 | 5,374 | 3,095 | 1,669 |
| Jan-2025 | 5,371 | 3,256 | 1,674 |
| Feb-2025 | 5,370 | 3,250 | 1,780 |
| Mar-2025 | 5,411 | 3,332 | 1,558 |
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, March 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 levels and unemployment levels, 2000–2025
| date | Unemployment, two-month average | Openings |
|---|---|---|
| 2000-12-01 | 5636.5 | 5,088 |
| 2001-01-01 | 5828.5 | 5,234 |
| 2001-02-01 | 6056 | 5,097 |
| 2001-03-01 | 6115 | 4,762 |
| 2001-04-01 | 6206 | 4,615 |
| 2001-05-01 | 6248.5 | 4,425 |
| 2001-06-01 | 6355 | 4,361 |
| 2001-07-01 | 6533.5 | 4,447 |
| 2001-08-01 | 6812.5 | 4,024 |
| 2001-09-01 | 7092 | 4,071 |
| 2001-10-01 | 7418 | 3,707 |
| 2001-11-01 | 7848.5 | 3,775 |
| 2001-12-01 | 8130.5 | 3,677 |
| 2002-01-01 | 8220 | 3,699 |
| 2002-02-01 | 8198.5 | 3,436 |
| 2002-03-01 | 8259.5 | 3,612 |
| 2002-04-01 | 8451.5 | 3,471 |
| 2002-05-01 | 8499 | 3,457 |
| 2002-06-01 | 8396 | 3,412 |
| 2002-07-01 | 8391.5 | 3,367 |
| 2002-08-01 | 8347 | 3,517 |
| 2002-09-01 | 8277.5 | 3,301 |
| 2002-10-01 | 8279 | 3,479 |
| 2002-11-01 | 8413.5 | 3,514 |
| 2002-12-01 | 8580 | 3,169 |
| 2003-01-01 | 8580 | 3,441 |
| 2003-02-01 | 8569 | 3,229 |
| 2003-03-01 | 8603 | 3,099 |
| 2003-04-01 | 8715 | 3,108 |
| 2003-05-01 | 8899.5 | 3,289 |
| 2003-06-01 | 9111.5 | 3,390 |
| 2003-07-01 | 9138.5 | 2,981 |
| 2003-08-01 | 8953.5 | 3,190 |
| 2003-09-01 | 8908.5 | 3,091 |
| 2003-10-01 | 8826.5 | 3,305 |
| 2003-11-01 | 8654 | 3,324 |
| 2003-12-01 | 8446.5 | 3,414 |
| 2004-01-01 | 8343.5 | 3,424 |
| 2004-02-01 | 8268.5 | 3,532 |
| 2004-03-01 | 8329 | 3,525 |
| 2004-04-01 | 8330.5 | 3,511 |
| 2004-05-01 | 8191 | 3,710 |
| 2004-06-01 | 8249 | 3,337 |
| 2004-07-01 | 8211 | 3,814 |
| 2004-08-01 | 8063 | 3,541 |
| 2004-09-01 | 7958.5 | 3,821 |
| 2004-10-01 | 7994 | 3,943 |
| 2004-11-01 | 7996.5 | 3,472 |
| 2004-12-01 | 7933 | 4,074 |
| 2005-01-01 | 7859 | 3,804 |
| 2005-02-01 | 7882 | 3,965 |
| 2005-03-01 | 7858.5 | 4,044 |
| 2005-04-01 | 7704.5 | 4,159 |
| 2005-05-01 | 7661.5 | 3,797 |
| 2005-06-01 | 7587.5 | 4,062 |
| 2005-07-01 | 7465 | 4,256 |
| 2005-08-01 | 7375.5 | 4,142 |
| 2005-09-01 | 7449 | 4,352 |
| 2005-10-01 | 7503 | 4,184 |
| 2005-11-01 | 7509.5 | 4,248 |
| 2005-12-01 | 7422.5 | 4,282 |
| 2006-01-01 | 7171.5 | 4,397 |
| 2006-02-01 | 7124 | 4,325 |
| 2006-03-01 | 7128 | 4,732 |
| 2006-04-01 | 7096 | 4,790 |
| 2006-05-01 | 7050 | 4,463 |
| 2006-06-01 | 6990.5 | 4,614 |
| 2006-07-01 | 7088 | 4,394 |
| 2006-08-01 | 7133 | 4,710 |
| 2006-09-01 | 6969 | 4,737 |
| 2006-10-01 | 6787 | 4,591 |
| 2006-11-01 | 6799.5 | 4,645 |
| 2006-12-01 | 6817 | 4,620 |
| 2007-01-01 | 6939 | 4,763 |
| 2007-02-01 | 7021.5 | 4,699 |
| 2007-03-01 | 6829 | 4,962 |
| 2007-04-01 | 6790.5 | 4,689 |
| 2007-05-01 | 6808 | 4,657 |
| 2007-06-01 | 6872.5 | 4,859 |
| 2007-07-01 | 7064 | 4,598 |
| 2007-08-01 | 7108 | 4,546 |
| 2007-09-01 | 7118.5 | 4,652 |
| 2007-10-01 | 7203.5 | 4,636 |
| 2007-11-01 | 7238.5 | 4,646 |
| 2007-12-01 | 7442.5 | 4,545 |
| 2008-01-01 | 7665 | 4,624 |
| 2008-02-01 | 7591 | 4,279 |
| 2008-03-01 | 7659.5 | 4,225 |
| 2008-04-01 | 7729.5 | 4,035 |
| 2008-05-01 | 8016 | 4,194 |
| 2008-06-01 | 8485 | 3,830 |
| 2008-07-01 | 8756 | 3,749 |
| 2008-08-01 | 9187.5 | 3,674 |
| 2008-09-01 | 9466 | 3,222 |
| 2008-10-01 | 9784 | 3,377 |
| 2008-11-01 | 10306 | 3,231 |
| 2008-12-01 | 10912 | 3,146 |
| 2009-01-01 | 11672 | 2,738 |
| 2009-02-01 | 12478 | 2,864 |
| 2009-03-01 | 13162 | 2,534 |
| 2009-04-01 | 13639.5 | 2,295 |
| 2009-05-01 | 14176 | 2,549 |
| 2009-06-01 | 14603 | 2,503 |
| 2009-07-01 | 14654 | 2,232 |
| 2009-08-01 | 14707.5 | 2,338 |
| 2009-09-01 | 14911.5 | 2,487 |
| 2009-10-01 | 15180.5 | 2,406 |
| 2009-11-01 | 15285.5 | 2,503 |
| 2009-12-01 | 15158.5 | 2,568 |
| 2010-01-01 | 15072 | 2,837 |
| 2010-02-01 | 15079.5 | 2,666 |
| 2010-03-01 | 15157.5 | 2,679 |
| 2010-04-01 | 15263.5 | 3,153 |
| 2010-05-01 | 15087 | 2,988 |
| 2010-06-01 | 14661.5 | 2,801 |
| 2010-07-01 | 14493 | 3,082 |
| 2010-08-01 | 14580 | 2,999 |
| 2010-09-01 | 14613.5 | 2,918 |
| 2010-10-01 | 14547.5 | 3,235 |
| 2010-11-01 | 14798.5 | 3,211 |
| 2010-12-01 | 14714.5 | 3,058 |
| 2011-01-01 | 14180.5 | 3,104 |
| 2011-02-01 | 13916.5 | 3,226 |
| 2011-03-01 | 13778.5 | 3,261 |
| 2011-04-01 | 13847 | 3,259 |
| 2011-05-01 | 13906 | 3,179 |
| 2011-06-01 | 13908.5 | 3,455 |
| 2011-07-01 | 13862.5 | 3,623 |
| 2011-08-01 | 13790.5 | 3,329 |
| 2011-09-01 | 13883 | 3,774 |
| 2011-10-01 | 13771 | 3,619 |
| 2011-11-01 | 13448 | 3,565 |
| 2011-12-01 | 13197.5 | 3,768 |
| 2012-01-01 | 12945 | 3,909 |
| 2012-02-01 | 12805 | 3,616 |
| 2012-03-01 | 12763 | 3,979 |
| 2012-04-01 | 12679.5 | 3,793 |
| 2012-05-01 | 12653 | 3,835 |
| 2012-06-01 | 12676 | 3,911 |
| 2012-07-01 | 12674 | 3,735 |
| 2012-08-01 | 12563.5 | 3,809 |
| 2012-09-01 | 12293 | 3,882 |
| 2012-10-01 | 12119.5 | 3,775 |
| 2012-11-01 | 12064.5 | 3,878 |
| 2012-12-01 | 12151.5 | 3,970 |
| 2013-01-01 | 12384.5 | 3,923 |
| 2013-02-01 | 12210.5 | 4,004 |
| 2013-03-01 | 11819.5 | 4,076 |
| 2013-04-01 | 11724.5 | 3,988 |
| 2013-05-01 | 11707 | 4,145 |
| 2013-06-01 | 11702.5 | 4,150 |
| 2013-07-01 | 11543 | 3,885 |
| 2013-08-01 | 11307 | 4,085 |
| 2013-09-01 | 11274.5 | 4,128 |
| 2013-10-01 | 11203 | 4,222 |
| 2013-11-01 | 10961.5 | 4,119 |
| 2013-12-01 | 10595.5 | 4,121 |
| 2014-01-01 | 10303 | 4,127 |
| 2014-02-01 | 10275.5 | 4,373 |
| 2014-03-01 | 10364.5 | 4,388 |
| 2014-04-01 | 10041 | 4,566 |
| 2014-05-01 | 9780.5 | 4,747 |
| 2014-06-01 | 9659.5 | 4,982 |
| 2014-07-01 | 9534 | 4,846 |
| 2014-08-01 | 9603.5 | 5,349 |
| 2014-09-01 | 9430.5 | 4,914 |
| 2014-10-01 | 9126 | 5,012 |
| 2014-11-01 | 9040 | 4,843 |
| 2014-12-01 | 8903.5 | 5,130 |
| 2015-01-01 | 8801 | 5,344 |
| 2015-02-01 | 8742 | 5,466 |
| 2015-03-01 | 8557 | 5,210 |
| 2015-04-01 | 8532.5 | 5,598 |
| 2015-05-01 | 8692 | 5,563 |
| 2015-06-01 | 8540.5 | 5,248 |
| 2015-07-01 | 8207 | 6,056 |
| 2015-08-01 | 8079.5 | 5,467 |
| 2015-09-01 | 7949.5 | 5,488 |
| 2015-10-01 | 7914.5 | 5,773 |
| 2015-11-01 | 7961 | 5,708 |
| 2015-12-01 | 7953.5 | 5,845 |
| 2016-01-01 | 7767 | 6,012 |
| 2016-02-01 | 7664.5 | 5,770 |
| 2016-03-01 | 7831.5 | 6,129 |
| 2016-04-01 | 8014 | 5,803 |
| 2016-05-01 | 7859.5 | 5,777 |
| 2016-06-01 | 7698 | 5,742 |
| 2016-07-01 | 7692.5 | 5,962 |
| 2016-08-01 | 7712.5 | 5,677 |
| 2016-09-01 | 7868.5 | 5,868 |
| 2016-10-01 | 7882 | 5,591 |
| 2016-11-01 | 7682 | 5,971 |
| 2016-12-01 | 7537 | 5,964 |
| 2017-01-01 | 7494.5 | 5,617 |
| 2017-02-01 | 7423.5 | 5,923 |
| 2017-03-01 | 7226 | 5,811 |
| 2017-04-01 | 7081 | 6,091 |
| 2017-05-01 | 7044.5 | 5,826 |
| 2017-06-01 | 6936.5 | 6,305 |
| 2017-07-01 | 6882.5 | 6,238 |
| 2017-08-01 | 6987 | 6,276 |
| 2017-09-01 | 6968 | 6,320 |
| 2017-10-01 | 6777 | 6,408 |
| 2017-11-01 | 6737 | 6,271 |
| 2017-12-01 | 6703 | 6,336 |
| 2018-01-01 | 6560.5 | 6,621 |
| 2018-02-01 | 6535 | 6,552 |
| 2018-03-01 | 6526.5 | 6,818 |
| 2018-04-01 | 6465.5 | 6,877 |
| 2018-05-01 | 6327.5 | 7,016 |
| 2018-06-01 | 6321.5 | 7,230 |
| 2018-07-01 | 6321 | 7,190 |
| 2018-08-01 | 6175.5 | 7,208 |
| 2018-09-01 | 6114.5 | 7,411 |
| 2018-10-01 | 6142 | 7,304 |
| 2018-11-01 | 6163 | 7,594 |
| 2018-12-01 | 6252 | 7,489 |
| 2019-01-01 | 6432 | 7,502 |
| 2019-02-01 | 6305.5 | 7,066 |
| 2019-03-01 | 6169 | 7,317 |
| 2019-04-01 | 6081.5 | 7,272 |
| 2019-05-01 | 5945.5 | 7,275 |
| 2019-06-01 | 5932.5 | 7,194 |
| 2019-07-01 | 5998 | 7,042 |
| 2019-08-01 | 6003 | 7,178 |
| 2019-09-01 | 5849 | 7,124 |
| 2019-10-01 | 5812 | 7,289 |
| 2019-11-01 | 5869.5 | 6,888 |
| 2019-12-01 | 5860.5 | 6,699 |
| 2020-01-01 | 5861 | 7,124 |
| 2020-02-01 | 5811 | 6,966 |
| 2020-03-01 | 6479.5 | 5,894 |
| 2020-04-01 | 15145 | 4,606 |
| 2020-05-01 | 22006.5 | 5,612 |
| 2020-06-01 | 19290.5 | 6,129 |
| 2020-07-01 | 17002 | 6,530 |
| 2020-08-01 | 14906.5 | 6,429 |
| 2020-09-01 | 13007.5 | 6,511 |
| 2020-10-01 | 11813 | 6,798 |
| 2020-11-01 | 10883 | 6,820 |
| 2020-12-01 | 10732 | 6,773 |
| 2021-01-01 | 10503 | 7,204 |
| 2021-02-01 | 10115.5 | 7,752 |
| 2021-03-01 | 9875.5 | 8,470 |
| 2021-04-01 | 9759 | 9,356 |
| 2021-05-01 | 9514 | 9,905 |
| 2021-06-01 | 9364 | 10,298 |
| 2021-07-01 | 9096.5 | 11,049 |
| 2021-08-01 | 8503.5 | 10,956 |
| 2021-09-01 | 7964 | 10,879 |
| 2021-10-01 | 7465.5 | 11,341 |
| 2021-11-01 | 7015 | 11,119 |
| 2021-12-01 | 6574.5 | 11,417 |
| 2022-01-01 | 6455 | 11,238 |
| 2022-02-01 | 6406.5 | 11,661 |
| 2022-03-01 | 6157.5 | 12,134 |
| 2022-04-01 | 6008 | 11,881 |
| 2022-05-01 | 5992.5 | 11,483 |
| 2022-06-01 | 5967 | 11,256 |
| 2022-07-01 | 5859.5 | 11,610 |
| 2022-08-01 | 5843.5 | 10,148 |
| 2022-09-01 | 5855.5 | 10,812 |
| 2022-10-01 | 5878 | 10,488 |
| 2022-11-01 | 5953.5 | 10,619 |
| 2022-12-01 | 5854.5 | 10,876 |
| 2023-01-01 | 5756.5 | 10,393 |
| 2023-02-01 | 5854.5 | 9,846 |
| 2023-03-01 | 5900.5 | 9,572 |
| 2023-04-01 | 5795 | 9,992 |
| 2023-05-01 | 5920 | 9,310 |
| 2023-06-01 | 6023.5 | 9,191 |
| 2023-07-01 | 5939 | 8,606 |
| 2023-08-01 | 6102 | 9,287 |
| 2023-09-01 | 6305 | 9,279 |
| 2023-10-01 | 6402.5 | 8,550 |
| 2023-11-01 | 6366.5 | 8,663 |
| 2023-12-01 | 6284.5 | 8,585 |
| 2024-01-01 | 6232 | 8,468 |
| 2024-02-01 | 6305.5 | 8,445 |
| 2024-03-01 | 6479.5 | 8,093 |
| 2024-04-01 | 6494.5 | 7,619 |
| 2024-05-01 | 6563.5 | 7,901 |
| 2024-06-01 | 6742 | 7,412 |
| 2024-07-01 | 6973 | 7,504 |
| 2024-08-01 | 7084 | 7,649 |
| 2024-09-01 | 6986 | 7,103 |
| 2024-10-01 | 6936.5 | 7,615 |
| 2024-11-01 | 7046.5 | 8,031 |
| 2024-12-01 | 7003.5 | 7,508 |
| 2025-01-01 | 6867.5 | 7,762 |
| 2025-02-01 | 6950.5 | 7,480 |
| 2025-03-01 | 7067.5 | 7,192 |
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 levels, 2000–2025
| date | Openings |
|---|---|
| 2000-12-01 | 5,088 |
| 2001-01-01 | 5,234 |
| 2001-02-01 | 5,097 |
| 2001-03-01 | 4,762 |
| 2001-04-01 | 4,615 |
| 2001-05-01 | 4,425 |
| 2001-06-01 | 4,361 |
| 2001-07-01 | 4,447 |
| 2001-08-01 | 4,024 |
| 2001-09-01 | 4,071 |
| 2001-10-01 | 3,707 |
| 2001-11-01 | 3,775 |
| 2001-12-01 | 3,677 |
| 2002-01-01 | 3,699 |
| 2002-02-01 | 3,436 |
| 2002-03-01 | 3,612 |
| 2002-04-01 | 3,471 |
| 2002-05-01 | 3,457 |
| 2002-06-01 | 3,412 |
| 2002-07-01 | 3,367 |
| 2002-08-01 | 3,517 |
| 2002-09-01 | 3,301 |
| 2002-10-01 | 3,479 |
| 2002-11-01 | 3,514 |
| 2002-12-01 | 3,169 |
| 2003-01-01 | 3,441 |
| 2003-02-01 | 3,229 |
| 2003-03-01 | 3,099 |
| 2003-04-01 | 3,108 |
| 2003-05-01 | 3,289 |
| 2003-06-01 | 3,390 |
| 2003-07-01 | 2,981 |
| 2003-08-01 | 3,190 |
| 2003-09-01 | 3,091 |
| 2003-10-01 | 3,305 |
| 2003-11-01 | 3,324 |
| 2003-12-01 | 3,414 |
| 2004-01-01 | 3,424 |
| 2004-02-01 | 3,532 |
| 2004-03-01 | 3,525 |
| 2004-04-01 | 3,511 |
| 2004-05-01 | 3,710 |
| 2004-06-01 | 3,337 |
| 2004-07-01 | 3,814 |
| 2004-08-01 | 3,541 |
| 2004-09-01 | 3,821 |
| 2004-10-01 | 3,943 |
| 2004-11-01 | 3,472 |
| 2004-12-01 | 4,074 |
| 2005-01-01 | 3,804 |
| 2005-02-01 | 3,965 |
| 2005-03-01 | 4,044 |
| 2005-04-01 | 4,159 |
| 2005-05-01 | 3,797 |
| 2005-06-01 | 4,062 |
| 2005-07-01 | 4,256 |
| 2005-08-01 | 4,142 |
| 2005-09-01 | 4,352 |
| 2005-10-01 | 4,184 |
| 2005-11-01 | 4,248 |
| 2005-12-01 | 4,282 |
| 2006-01-01 | 4,397 |
| 2006-02-01 | 4,325 |
| 2006-03-01 | 4,732 |
| 2006-04-01 | 4,790 |
| 2006-05-01 | 4,463 |
| 2006-06-01 | 4,614 |
| 2006-07-01 | 4,394 |
| 2006-08-01 | 4,710 |
| 2006-09-01 | 4,737 |
| 2006-10-01 | 4,591 |
| 2006-11-01 | 4,645 |
| 2006-12-01 | 4,620 |
| 2007-01-01 | 4,763 |
| 2007-02-01 | 4,699 |
| 2007-03-01 | 4,962 |
| 2007-04-01 | 4,689 |
| 2007-05-01 | 4,657 |
| 2007-06-01 | 4,859 |
| 2007-07-01 | 4,598 |
| 2007-08-01 | 4,546 |
| 2007-09-01 | 4,652 |
| 2007-10-01 | 4,636 |
| 2007-11-01 | 4,646 |
| 2007-12-01 | 4,545 |
| 2008-01-01 | 4,624 |
| 2008-02-01 | 4,279 |
| 2008-03-01 | 4,225 |
| 2008-04-01 | 4,035 |
| 2008-05-01 | 4,194 |
| 2008-06-01 | 3,830 |
| 2008-07-01 | 3,749 |
| 2008-08-01 | 3,674 |
| 2008-09-01 | 3,222 |
| 2008-10-01 | 3,377 |
| 2008-11-01 | 3,231 |
| 2008-12-01 | 3,146 |
| 2009-01-01 | 2,738 |
| 2009-02-01 | 2,864 |
| 2009-03-01 | 2,534 |
| 2009-04-01 | 2,295 |
| 2009-05-01 | 2,549 |
| 2009-06-01 | 2,503 |
| 2009-07-01 | 2,232 |
| 2009-08-01 | 2,338 |
| 2009-09-01 | 2,487 |
| 2009-10-01 | 2,406 |
| 2009-11-01 | 2,503 |
| 2009-12-01 | 2,568 |
| 2010-01-01 | 2,837 |
| 2010-02-01 | 2,666 |
| 2010-03-01 | 2,679 |
| 2010-04-01 | 3,153 |
| 2010-05-01 | 2,988 |
| 2010-06-01 | 2,801 |
| 2010-07-01 | 3,082 |
| 2010-08-01 | 2,999 |
| 2010-09-01 | 2,918 |
| 2010-10-01 | 3,235 |
| 2010-11-01 | 3,211 |
| 2010-12-01 | 3,058 |
| 2011-01-01 | 3,104 |
| 2011-02-01 | 3,226 |
| 2011-03-01 | 3,261 |
| 2011-04-01 | 3,259 |
| 2011-05-01 | 3,179 |
| 2011-06-01 | 3,455 |
| 2011-07-01 | 3,623 |
| 2011-08-01 | 3,329 |
| 2011-09-01 | 3,774 |
| 2011-10-01 | 3,619 |
| 2011-11-01 | 3,565 |
| 2011-12-01 | 3,768 |
| 2012-01-01 | 3,909 |
| 2012-02-01 | 3,616 |
| 2012-03-01 | 3,979 |
| 2012-04-01 | 3,793 |
| 2012-05-01 | 3,835 |
| 2012-06-01 | 3,911 |
| 2012-07-01 | 3,735 |
| 2012-08-01 | 3,809 |
| 2012-09-01 | 3,882 |
| 2012-10-01 | 3,775 |
| 2012-11-01 | 3,878 |
| 2012-12-01 | 3,970 |
| 2013-01-01 | 3,923 |
| 2013-02-01 | 4,004 |
| 2013-03-01 | 4,076 |
| 2013-04-01 | 3,988 |
| 2013-05-01 | 4,145 |
| 2013-06-01 | 4,150 |
| 2013-07-01 | 3,885 |
| 2013-08-01 | 4,085 |
| 2013-09-01 | 4,128 |
| 2013-10-01 | 4,222 |
| 2013-11-01 | 4,119 |
| 2013-12-01 | 4,121 |
| 2014-01-01 | 4,127 |
| 2014-02-01 | 4,373 |
| 2014-03-01 | 4,388 |
| 2014-04-01 | 4,566 |
| 2014-05-01 | 4,747 |
| 2014-06-01 | 4,982 |
| 2014-07-01 | 4,846 |
| 2014-08-01 | 5,349 |
| 2014-09-01 | 4,914 |
| 2014-10-01 | 5,012 |
| 2014-11-01 | 4,843 |
| 2014-12-01 | 5,130 |
| 2015-01-01 | 5,344 |
| 2015-02-01 | 5,466 |
| 2015-03-01 | 5,210 |
| 2015-04-01 | 5,598 |
| 2015-05-01 | 5,563 |
| 2015-06-01 | 5,248 |
| 2015-07-01 | 6,056 |
| 2015-08-01 | 5,467 |
| 2015-09-01 | 5,488 |
| 2015-10-01 | 5,773 |
| 2015-11-01 | 5,708 |
| 2015-12-01 | 5,845 |
| 2016-01-01 | 6,012 |
| 2016-02-01 | 5,770 |
| 2016-03-01 | 6,129 |
| 2016-04-01 | 5,803 |
| 2016-05-01 | 5,777 |
| 2016-06-01 | 5,742 |
| 2016-07-01 | 5,962 |
| 2016-08-01 | 5,677 |
| 2016-09-01 | 5,868 |
| 2016-10-01 | 5,591 |
| 2016-11-01 | 5,971 |
| 2016-12-01 | 5,964 |
| 2017-01-01 | 5,617 |
| 2017-02-01 | 5,923 |
| 2017-03-01 | 5,811 |
| 2017-04-01 | 6,091 |
| 2017-05-01 | 5,826 |
| 2017-06-01 | 6,305 |
| 2017-07-01 | 6,238 |
| 2017-08-01 | 6,276 |
| 2017-09-01 | 6,320 |
| 2017-10-01 | 6,408 |
| 2017-11-01 | 6,271 |
| 2017-12-01 | 6,336 |
| 2018-01-01 | 6,621 |
| 2018-02-01 | 6,552 |
| 2018-03-01 | 6,818 |
| 2018-04-01 | 6,877 |
| 2018-05-01 | 7,016 |
| 2018-06-01 | 7,230 |
| 2018-07-01 | 7,190 |
| 2018-08-01 | 7,208 |
| 2018-09-01 | 7,411 |
| 2018-10-01 | 7,304 |
| 2018-11-01 | 7,594 |
| 2018-12-01 | 7,489 |
| 2019-01-01 | 7,502 |
| 2019-02-01 | 7,066 |
| 2019-03-01 | 7,317 |
| 2019-04-01 | 7,272 |
| 2019-05-01 | 7,275 |
| 2019-06-01 | 7,194 |
| 2019-07-01 | 7,042 |
| 2019-08-01 | 7,178 |
| 2019-09-01 | 7,124 |
| 2019-10-01 | 7,289 |
| 2019-11-01 | 6,888 |
| 2019-12-01 | 6,699 |
| 2020-01-01 | 7,124 |
| 2020-02-01 | 6,966 |
| 2020-03-01 | 5,894 |
| 2020-04-01 | 4,606 |
| 2020-05-01 | 5,612 |
| 2020-06-01 | 6,129 |
| 2020-07-01 | 6,530 |
| 2020-08-01 | 6,429 |
| 2020-09-01 | 6,511 |
| 2020-10-01 | 6,798 |
| 2020-11-01 | 6,820 |
| 2020-12-01 | 6,773 |
| 2021-01-01 | 7,204 |
| 2021-02-01 | 7,752 |
| 2021-03-01 | 8,470 |
| 2021-04-01 | 9,356 |
| 2021-05-01 | 9,905 |
| 2021-06-01 | 10,298 |
| 2021-07-01 | 11,049 |
| 2021-08-01 | 10,956 |
| 2021-09-01 | 10,879 |
| 2021-10-01 | 11,341 |
| 2021-11-01 | 11,119 |
| 2021-12-01 | 11,417 |
| 2022-01-01 | 11,238 |
| 2022-02-01 | 11,661 |
| 2022-03-01 | 12,134 |
| 2022-04-01 | 11,881 |
| 2022-05-01 | 11,483 |
| 2022-06-01 | 11,256 |
| 2022-07-01 | 11,610 |
| 2022-08-01 | 10,148 |
| 2022-09-01 | 10,812 |
| 2022-10-01 | 10,488 |
| 2022-11-01 | 10,619 |
| 2022-12-01 | 10,876 |
| 2023-01-01 | 10,393 |
| 2023-02-01 | 9,846 |
| 2023-03-01 | 9,572 |
| 2023-04-01 | 9,992 |
| 2023-05-01 | 9,310 |
| 2023-06-01 | 9,191 |
| 2023-07-01 | 8,606 |
| 2023-08-01 | 9,287 |
| 2023-09-01 | 9,279 |
| 2023-10-01 | 8,550 |
| 2023-11-01 | 8,663 |
| 2023-12-01 | 8,585 |
| 2024-01-01 | 8,468 |
| 2024-02-01 | 8,445 |
| 2024-03-01 | 8,093 |
| 2024-04-01 | 7,619 |
| 2024-05-01 | 7,901 |
| 2024-06-01 | 7,412 |
| 2024-07-01 | 7,504 |
| 2024-08-01 | 7,649 |
| 2024-09-01 | 7,103 |
| 2024-10-01 | 7,615 |
| 2024-11-01 | 8,031 |
| 2024-12-01 | 7,508 |
| 2025-01-01 | 7,762 |
| 2025-02-01 | 7,480 |
| 2025-03-01 | 7,192 |
Notes: Shaded areas denote recessions.
Source: EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey.