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).
September
Next update: November 30, 2022
• November 1, 2022
Below, EPI senior economist Elise Gould offers her initial insights on today’s release of the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) for September. Read the full Twitter thread here.
Hires decreased in September, with notable declines in manufacturing as well as public sector state and local employment.
Separations also edged down, primarily due to a drop in layoffs and discharges. Quits were little changed, falling mildly in September. pic.twitter.com/PdraWeN6J9
— Elise Gould (@eliselgould) November 1, 2022
While the quits rate held steady in September as the hires rate dropped slightly, hiring continues to outpace quits in every major sector as workers seek and find new jobs. pic.twitter.com/U0sEI6hayV
— Elise Gould (@eliselgould) November 1, 2022
“Recent data have been encouraging that a soft landing is possible,” writes @joshbivens_DC https://t.co/xBZjLo3M6Z. Policymakers need to pay attention to the substantial disinflation already in the pipeline that will allow inflation to normalize (even in a strong labor market).
— Elise Gould (@eliselgould) November 1, 2022
Hires, quits, and layoff rates, 2000–2022
| 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 | 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 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| Nov-2018 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.3 |
| Dec-2018 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| Jan-2019 | 3.8 | 2.4 | 1.2 |
| 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 | 2.4 | 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 | 2.4 | 1.2 |
| Feb-2020 | 4 | 2.3 | 1.3 |
| Mar-2020 | 3.5 | 2 | 8.6 |
| Apr-2020 | 3.1 | 1.6 | 7 |
| May-2020 | 6.1 | 1.7 | 1.6 |
| Jun-2020 | 5.4 | 1.9 | 1.7 |
| Jul-2020 | 4.5 | 2.1 | 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 | 2.3 | 1.5 |
| Dec-2020 | 4 | 2.4 | 1.4 |
| Jan-2021 | 4 | 2.3 | 1.1 |
| Feb-2021 | 4.2 | 2.4 | 1.1 |
| Mar-2021 | 4.3 | 2.6 | 1 |
| Apr-2021 | 4.2 | 2.8 | 1 |
| May-2021 | 4.2 | 2.6 | 0.9 |
| Jun-2021 | 4.4 | 2.8 | 0.9 |
| Jul-2021 | 4.5 | 2.8 | 1 |
| Aug-2021 | 4.3 | 2.8 | 1 |
| Sep-2021 | 4.4 | 2.9 | 1 |
| Oct-2021 | 4.4 | 2.8 | 0.9 |
| Nov-2021 | 4.5 | 3 | 0.9 |
| Dec-2021 | 4.3 | 3 | 0.8 |
| Jan-2022 | 4.3 | 2.8 | 0.9 |
| Feb-2022 | 4.5 | 2.9 | 0.9 |
| Mar-2022 | 4.4 | 2.9 | 0.9 |
| Apr-2022 | 4.3 | 2.9 | 0.9 |
| May-2022 | 4.3 | 2.8 | 0.9 |
| Jun-2022 | 4.2 | 2.8 | 0.9 |
| Jul-2022 | 4.1 | 2.7 | 0.9 |
| Aug-2022 | 4.1 | 2.7 | 1.0 |
| Sept-2022 | 4.0 | 2.7 | 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, 2000-2022
| 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 | 5,480 | 3,060 | 1,953 |
| Feb-2018 | 5,644 | 3,195 | 1,784 |
| Mar-2018 | 5,641 | 3,309 | 1,797 |
| Apr-2018 | 5,599 | 3,364 | 1,734 |
| May-2018 | 5,845 | 3,384 | 1,754 |
| Jun-2018 | 5,763 | 3,381 | 1,815 |
| Jul-2018 | 5,676 | 3,437 | 1,813 |
| Aug-2018 | 5,803 | 3,431 | 1,790 |
| Sep-2018 | 5,601 | 3,414 | 1,772 |
| Oct-2018 | 5,867 | 3,487 | 1,828 |
| Nov-2018 | 5,833 | 3,502 | 1,933 |
| Dec-2018 | 5,754 | 3,407 | 1,831 |
| Jan-2019 | 5,778 | 3,545 | 1,735 |
| Feb-2019 | 5,684 | 3,558 | 1,789 |
| Mar-2019 | 5,706 | 3,527 | 1,702 |
| Apr-2019 | 6,010 | 3,491 | 1,967 |
| May-2019 | 5,704 | 3,468 | 1,753 |
| Jun-2019 | 5,769 | 3,486 | 1,762 |
| Jul-2019 | 5,928 | 3,624 | 1,844 |
| Aug-2019 | 5,862 | 3,557 | 1,786 |
| Sep-2019 | 5,954 | 3,452 | 1,961 |
| Oct-2019 | 5,779 | 3,453 | 1,819 |
| Nov-2019 | 5,845 | 3,530 | 1,777 |
| Dec-2019 | 5,941 | 3,516 | 1,919 |
| Jan-2020 | 6,005 | 3,578 | 1,821 |
| Feb-2020 | 6,025 | 3,445 | 1,973 |
| Mar-2020 | 5,222 | 2,951 | 13,026 |
| Apr-2020 | 4,031 | 2,038 | 9,191 |
| May-2020 | 8,145 | 2,244 | 2,180 |
| Jun-2020 | 7,438 | 2,580 | 2,279 |
| Jul-2020 | 6,188 | 2,973 | 1,850 |
| Aug-2020 | 5,998 | 2,901 | 1,598 |
| Sep-2020 | 5,898 | 3,158 | 1,531 |
| Oct-2020 | 6,105 | 3,297 | 1,687 |
| Nov-2020 | 5,885 | 3,258 | 2,097 |
| Dec-2020 | 5,660 | 3,368 | 1,928 |
| Jan-2021 | 5,719 | 3,311 | 1,582 |
| Feb-2021 | 6,028 | 3,439 | 1,641 |
| Mar-2021 | 6,208 | 3,695 | 1,512 |
| Apr-2021 | 6,121 | 4,015 | 1,384 |
| May-2021 | 6,092 | 3,838 | 1,343 |
| Jun-2021 | 6,414 | 4,035 | 1,361 |
| Jul-2021 | 6,556 | 4,088 | 1,440 |
| Aug-2021 | 6,362 | 4,126 | 1,404 |
| Sep-2021 | 6,504 | 4,253 | 1,405 |
| Oct-2021 | 6,460 | 4,132 | 1,342 |
| Nov-2021 | 6,705 | 4,510 | 1,295 |
| Dec-2021 | 6,450 | 4,403 | 1,262 |
| Jan-2022 | 6,426 | 4,258 | 1,403 |
| Feb-2022 | 6,832 | 4,384 | 1,354 |
| Mar-2022 | 6,645 | 4,449 | 1,416 |
| Apr-2022 | 6,527 | 4,327 | 1,312 |
| May-2022 | 6,507 | 4,274 | 1,416 |
| June-2022 | 6,456 | 4,253 | 1,400 |
| July-2022 | 6,238 | 4,058 | 1,390 |
| August-2022 | 6,334 | 4,184 | 1,490 |
| September-2022 | 6,082 | 4,061 | 1,328 |
Note: Shaded areas denote recessions.
Source: EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey
The job-seekers ratio, 2000–2022
| Date | Job seekers ratio, imputed |
|---|---|
| 2000-12-01 | 1.11 |
| 2001-01-01 | 1.15 |
| 2001-02-01 | 1.19 |
| 2001-03-01 | 1.29 |
| 2001-04-01 | 1.36 |
| 2001-05-01 | 1.41 |
| 2001-06-01 | 1.49 |
| 2001-07-01 | 1.48 |
| 2001-08-01 | 1.75 |
| 2001-09-01 | 1.75 |
| 2001-10-01 | 2.08 |
| 2001-11-01 | 2.12 |
| 2001-12-01 | 2.25 |
| 2002-01-01 | 2.21 |
| 2002-02-01 | 2.39 |
| 2002-03-01 | 2.30 |
| 2002-04-01 | 2.48 |
| 2002-05-01 | 2.43 |
| 2002-06-01 | 2.46 |
| 2002-07-01 | 2.49 |
| 2002-08-01 | 2.36 |
| 2002-09-01 | 2.50 |
| 2002-10-01 | 2.39 |
| 2002-11-01 | 2.42 |
| 2002-12-01 | 2.73 |
| 2003-01-01 | 2.48 |
| 2003-02-01 | 2.67 |
| 2003-03-01 | 2.77 |
| 2003-04-01 | 2.84 |
| 2003-05-01 | 2.72 |
| 2003-06-01 | 2.73 |
| 2003-07-01 | 3.02 |
| 2003-08-01 | 2.79 |
| 2003-09-01 | 2.89 |
| 2003-10-01 | 2.64 |
| 2003-11-01 | 2.58 |
| 2003-12-01 | 2.44 |
| 2004-01-01 | 2.44 |
| 2004-02-01 | 2.31 |
| 2004-03-01 | 2.41 |
| 2004-04-01 | 2.33 |
| 2004-05-01 | 2.21 |
| 2004-06-01 | 2.48 |
| 2004-07-01 | 2.13 |
| 2004-08-01 | 2.26 |
| 2004-09-01 | 2.07 |
| 2004-10-01 | 2.04 |
| 2004-11-01 | 2.28 |
| 2004-12-01 | 1.95 |
| 2005-01-01 | 2.05 |
| 2005-02-01 | 2.01 |
| 2005-03-01 | 1.91 |
| 2005-04-01 | 1.84 |
| 2005-05-01 | 2.02 |
| 2005-06-01 | 1.85 |
| 2005-07-01 | 1.74 |
| 2005-08-01 | 1.77 |
| 2005-09-01 | 1.74 |
| 2005-10-01 | 1.78 |
| 2005-11-01 | 1.78 |
| 2005-12-01 | 1.70 |
| 2006-01-01 | 1.61 |
| 2006-02-01 | 1.66 |
| 2006-03-01 | 1.49 |
| 2006-04-01 | 1.49 |
| 2006-05-01 | 1.56 |
| 2006-06-01 | 1.52 |
| 2006-07-01 | 1.63 |
| 2006-08-01 | 1.51 |
| 2006-09-01 | 1.45 |
| 2006-10-01 | 1.47 |
| 2006-11-01 | 1.48 |
| 2006-12-01 | 1.46 |
| 2007-01-01 | 1.49 |
| 2007-02-01 | 1.47 |
| 2007-03-01 | 1.36 |
| 2007-04-01 | 1.46 |
| 2007-05-01 | 1.45 |
| 2007-06-01 | 1.44 |
| 2007-07-01 | 1.55 |
| 2007-08-01 | 1.55 |
| 2007-09-01 | 1.54 |
| 2007-10-01 | 1.56 |
| 2007-11-01 | 1.56 |
| 2007-12-01 | 1.68 |
| 2008-01-01 | 1.66 |
| 2008-02-01 | 1.75 |
| 2008-03-01 | 1.85 |
| 2008-04-01 | 1.89 |
| 2008-05-01 | 2.00 |
| 2008-06-01 | 2.24 |
| 2008-07-01 | 2.38 |
| 2008-08-01 | 2.57 |
| 2008-09-01 | 2.95 |
| 2008-10-01 | 2.98 |
| 2008-11-01 | 3.26 |
| 2008-12-01 | 3.59 |
| 2009-01-01 | 4.40 |
| 2009-02-01 | 4.50 |
| 2009-03-01 | 5.30 |
| 2009-04-01 | 6.04 |
| 2009-05-01 | 5.69 |
| 2009-06-01 | 5.88 |
| 2009-07-01 | 6.54 |
| 2009-08-01 | 6.34 |
| 2009-09-01 | 6.03 |
| 2009-10-01 | 6.38 |
| 2009-11-01 | 6.08 |
| 2009-12-01 | 5.88 |
| 2010-01-01 | 5.30 |
| 2010-02-01 | 5.67 |
| 2010-03-01 | 5.67 |
| 2010-04-01 | 4.86 |
| 2010-05-01 | 4.97 |
| 2010-06-01 | 5.17 |
| 2010-07-01 | 4.71 |
| 2010-08-01 | 4.88 |
| 2010-09-01 | 5.00 |
| 2010-10-01 | 4.49 |
| 2010-11-01 | 4.70 |
| 2010-12-01 | 4.69 |
| 2011-01-01 | 4.51 |
| 2011-02-01 | 4.28 |
| 2011-03-01 | 4.21 |
| 2011-04-01 | 4.28 |
| 2011-05-01 | 4.36 |
| 2011-06-01 | 4.04 |
| 2011-07-01 | 3.80 |
| 2011-08-01 | 4.15 |
| 2011-09-01 | 3.70 |
| 2011-10-01 | 3.76 |
| 2011-11-01 | 3.73 |
| 2011-12-01 | 3.47 |
| 2012-01-01 | 3.27 |
| 2012-02-01 | 3.54 |
| 2012-03-01 | 3.20 |
| 2012-04-01 | 3.33 |
| 2012-05-01 | 3.30 |
| 2012-06-01 | 3.25 |
| 2012-07-01 | 3.39 |
| 2012-08-01 | 3.27 |
| 2012-09-01 | 3.12 |
| 2012-10-01 | 3.21 |
| 2012-11-01 | 3.10 |
| 2012-12-01 | 3.10 |
| 2013-01-01 | 3.18 |
| 2013-02-01 | 2.98 |
| 2013-03-01 | 2.87 |
| 2013-04-01 | 2.95 |
| 2013-05-01 | 2.81 |
| 2013-06-01 | 2.83 |
| 2013-07-01 | 2.92 |
| 2013-08-01 | 2.76 |
| 2013-09-01 | 2.73 |
| 2013-10-01 | 2.64 |
| 2013-11-01 | 2.62 |
| 2013-12-01 | 2.52 |
| 2014-01-01 | 2.47 |
| 2014-02-01 | 2.37 |
| 2014-03-01 | 2.37 |
| 2014-04-01 | 2.12 |
| 2014-05-01 | 2.08 |
| 2014-06-01 | 1.90 |
| 2014-07-01 | 1.98 |
| 2014-08-01 | 1.79 |
| 2014-09-01 | 1.88 |
| 2014-10-01 | 1.79 |
| 2014-11-01 | 1.88 |
| 2014-12-01 | 1.70 |
| 2015-01-01 | 1.66 |
| 2015-02-01 | 1.57 |
| 2015-03-01 | 1.63 |
| 2015-04-01 | 1.53 |
| 2015-05-01 | 1.59 |
| 2015-06-01 | 1.57 |
| 2015-07-01 | 1.35 |
| 2015-08-01 | 1.46 |
| 2015-09-01 | 1.44 |
| 2015-10-01 | 1.37 |
| 2015-11-01 | 1.40 |
| 2015-12-01 | 1.35 |
| 2016-01-01 | 1.27 |
| 2016-02-01 | 1.33 |
| 2016-03-01 | 1.30 |
| 2016-04-01 | 1.39 |
| 2016-05-01 | 1.32 |
| 2016-06-01 | 1.35 |
| 2016-07-01 | 1.28 |
| 2016-08-01 | 1.37 |
| 2016-09-01 | 1.36 |
| 2016-10-01 | 1.40 |
| 2016-11-01 | 1.26 |
| 2016-12-01 | 1.26 |
| 2017-01-01 | 1.33 |
| 2017-02-01 | 1.25 |
| 2017-03-01 | 1.22 |
| 2017-04-01 | 1.16 |
| 2017-05-01 | 1.20 |
| 2017-06-01 | 1.09 |
| 2017-07-01 | 1.10 |
| 2017-08-01 | 1.13 |
| 2017-09-01 | 1.08 |
| 2017-10-01 | 1.05 |
| 2017-11-01 | 1.08 |
| 2017-12-01 | 1.05 |
| 2018-01-01 | 0.99 |
| 2018-02-01 | 1.00 |
| 2018-03-01 | 0.95 |
| 2018-04-01 | 0.93 |
| 2018-05-01 | 0.88 |
| 2018-06-01 | 0.89 |
| 2018-07-01 | 0.86 |
| 2018-08-01 | 0.86 |
| 2018-09-01 | 0.83 |
| 2018-10-01 | 0.85 |
| 2018-11-01 | 0.81 |
| 2018-12-01 | 0.86 |
| 2019-01-01 | 0.86 |
| 2019-02-01 | 0.87 |
| 2019-03-01 | 0.84 |
| 2019-04-01 | 0.82 |
| 2019-05-01 | 0.81 |
| 2019-06-01 | 0.83 |
| 2019-07-01 | 0.85 |
| 2019-08-01 | 0.84 |
| 2019-09-01 | 0.81 |
| 2019-10-01 | 0.81 |
| 2019-11-01 | 0.86 |
| 2019-12-01 | 0.87 |
| 2020-01-01 | 0.81 |
| 2020-02-01 | 0.82 |
| 2020-03-01 | 1.21 |
| 2020-04-01 | 4.89 |
| 2020-05-01 | 3.85 |
| 2020-06-01 | 2.92 |
| 2020-07-01 | 2.46 |
| 2020-08-01 | 2.14 |
| 2020-09-01 | 1.94 |
| 2020-10-01 | 1.62 |
| 2020-11-01 | 1.57 |
| 2020-12-01 | 1.56 |
| 2021-01-01 | 1.41 |
| 2021-02-01 | 1.27 |
| 2021-03-01 | 1.14 |
| 2021-04-01 | 1.05 |
| 2021-05-01 | 0.96 |
| 2021-06-01 | 0.96 |
| 2021-07-01 | 0.80 |
| 2021-08-01 | 0.78 |
| 2021-09-01 | 0.72 |
| 2021-10-01 | 0.66 |
| 2021-11-01 | 0.62 |
| 2021-12-01 | 0.55 |
| 2022-01-01 | 0.58 |
| 2022-02-01 | 0.55 |
| 2022-03-01 | 0.50 |
| 2022-04-01 | 0.51 |
| 2022-05-01 | 0.53 |
| 2022-06-01 | 0.54 |
| 2022-07-01 | 0.51 |
| 2022-08-01 | 0.59 |
| 2022-09-01 | 0.54 |
Notes: Shaded areas denote recessions. Unemployment levels represent the average of the unemployment level for the current month.
Source: EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey and Current Population 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, September 2022
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.