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, and how many were laid off. In a healthy economy, there should be more job openings than there are unemployed workers in each sector—in other words, employers should be competing for workers, and not the other way around. The JOLTS report also lets us look at specific sectors, and see whether there is a shortage or a glut of workers in any particular part of the economy.
Key numbers • December 2019
6.4 million
Number of job openings in December
0.9
Ratio of unemployed people to job openings
3.9%
Hires rate • The number of hires as a share of total employment
2.3%
Quits rate • The number of quits as a share of total employment
December 2019 • Updated February 2020
Here’s what JOLTS will show in a healthy economy:
- A robust rate of hires to show that people are finding work.
- A robust rate of quits. When the economy is good and there are jobs available, workers feel more comfortable quitting jobs that are not well suited to them or that don’t pay well.
- A low level of layoffs. Layoffs spike during economic downturns, but hold relatively steady otherwise.
Hires, quits, and layoff rates, 2000–2019
| Month | Hires | Layoffs | Quits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec-2000 | 4.1 | 1.5 | 2.2 |
| Jan-2001 | 4.3 | 1.7 | 2.5 |
| Feb-2001 | 4 | 1.4 | 2.3 |
| Mar-2001 | 4.2 | 1.6 | 2.3 |
| Apr-2001 | 3.9 | 1.4 | 2.4 |
| May-2001 | 4.1 | 1.5 | 2.3 |
| Jun-2001 | 3.9 | 1.5 | 2.2 |
| Jul-2001 | 4 | 1.6 | 2.2 |
| Aug-2001 | 4 | 1.5 | 2.2 |
| Sep-2001 | 3.8 | 1.6 | 2.1 |
| Oct-2001 | 3.9 | 1.8 | 2.1 |
| Nov-2001 | 3.7 | 1.7 | 1.9 |
| Dec-2001 | 3.7 | 1.5 | 1.9 |
| Jan-2002 | 3.7 | 1.5 | 2.2 |
| Feb-2002 | 3.7 | 1.5 | 2 |
| Mar-2002 | 3.6 | 1.4 | 1.9 |
| Apr-2002 | 3.8 | 1.5 | 2 |
| May-2002 | 3.7 | 1.5 | 1.9 |
| Jun-2002 | 3.7 | 1.5 | 1.9 |
| Jul-2002 | 3.8 | 1.6 | 2 |
| Aug-2002 | 3.7 | 1.5 | 2 |
| Sep-2002 | 3.7 | 1.5 | 1.9 |
| Oct-2002 | 3.7 | 1.5 | 1.9 |
| Nov-2002 | 3.7 | 1.5 | 1.8 |
| Dec-2002 | 3.7 | 1.5 | 1.9 |
| Jan-2003 | 3.9 | 1.6 | 1.9 |
| Feb-2003 | 3.6 | 1.5 | 1.9 |
| Mar-2003 | 3.4 | 1.5 | 1.8 |
| Apr-2003 | 3.5 | 1.5 | 1.8 |
| May-2003 | 3.6 | 1.6 | 1.8 |
| Jun-2003 | 3.6 | 1.6 | 1.8 |
| Jul-2003 | 3.6 | 1.6 | 1.8 |
| Aug-2003 | 3.6 | 1.7 | 1.7 |
| Sep-2003 | 3.7 | 1.5 | 1.8 |
| Oct-2003 | 3.8 | 1.5 | 1.9 |
| Nov-2003 | 3.7 | 1.5 | 1.8 |
| Dec-2003 | 3.8 | 1.5 | 1.9 |
| Jan-2004 | 3.7 | 1.6 | 1.8 |
| Feb-2004 | 3.7 | 1.5 | 1.9 |
| Mar-2004 | 4 | 1.6 | 2 |
| Apr-2004 | 3.9 | 1.5 | 1.9 |
| May-2004 | 3.8 | 1.5 | 1.8 |
| Jun-2004 | 3.8 | 1.4 | 2 |
| Jul-2004 | 3.7 | 1.4 | 2 |
| Aug-2004 | 3.8 | 1.5 | 2 |
| Sep-2004 | 3.8 | 1.5 | 1.9 |
| Oct-2004 | 3.9 | 1.4 | 1.9 |
| Nov-2004 | 3.9 | 1.5 | 2.1 |
| Dec-2004 | 3.9 | 1.5 | 2 |
| Jan-2005 | 3.9 | 1.5 | 2.1 |
| Feb-2005 | 4 | 1.5 | 2 |
| Mar-2005 | 4 | 1.6 | 2.1 |
| Apr-2005 | 4 | 1.5 | 2.1 |
| May-2005 | 3.9 | 1.5 | 2.1 |
| Jun-2005 | 4 | 1.5 | 2.1 |
| Jul-2005 | 4 | 1.4 | 2 |
| Aug-2005 | 4 | 1.4 | 2.2 |
| Sep-2005 | 4.1 | 1.5 | 2.3 |
| Oct-2005 | 3.8 | 1.4 | 2.1 |
| Nov-2005 | 4 | 1.3 | 2.1 |
| Dec-2005 | 3.9 | 1.4 | 2.1 |
| Jan-2006 | 3.9 | 1.3 | 2.2 |
| Feb-2006 | 4 | 1.4 | 2.2 |
| Mar-2006 | 4.1 | 1.4 | 2.2 |
| Apr-2006 | 3.8 | 1.4 | 2 |
| May-2006 | 4 | 1.5 | 2.2 |
| Jun-2006 | 4 | 1.3 | 2.2 |
| Jul-2006 | 4.1 | 1.4 | 2.2 |
| Aug-2006 | 3.9 | 1.3 | 2.2 |
| Sep-2006 | 3.9 | 1.3 | 2.1 |
| Oct-2006 | 3.9 | 1.4 | 2.2 |
| Nov-2006 | 4 | 1.4 | 2.2 |
| Dec-2006 | 3.8 | 1.3 | 2.2 |
| Jan-2007 | 3.9 | 1.4 | 2.2 |
| Feb-2007 | 3.8 | 1.3 | 2.1 |
| Mar-2007 | 4 | 1.4 | 2.2 |
| Apr-2007 | 3.9 | 1.5 | 2.1 |
| May-2007 | 4 | 1.4 | 2.2 |
| Jun-2007 | 3.8 | 1.3 | 2.1 |
| Jul-2007 | 3.8 | 1.4 | 2.1 |
| Aug-2007 | 3.9 | 1.5 | 2.2 |
| Sep-2007 | 3.9 | 1.6 | 2 |
| Oct-2007 | 3.9 | 1.5 | 2.1 |
| Nov-2007 | 3.7 | 1.4 | 2 |
| Dec-2007 | 3.7 | 1.4 | 2 |
| Jan-2008 | 3.7 | 1.5 | 2.1 |
| Feb-2008 | 3.7 | 1.4 | 2.1 |
| Mar-2008 | 3.6 | 1.4 | 1.9 |
| Apr-2008 | 3.6 | 1.4 | 2.1 |
| May-2008 | 3.4 | 1.4 | 1.9 |
| Jun-2008 | 3.6 | 1.6 | 1.9 |
| Jul-2008 | 3.4 | 1.5 | 1.8 |
| Aug-2008 | 3.4 | 1.6 | 1.8 |
| Sep-2008 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.8 |
| Oct-2008 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 1.7 |
| Nov-2008 | 3 | 1.7 | 1.6 |
| Dec-2008 | 3.2 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| Jan-2009 | 3.1 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| Feb-2009 | 3 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| Mar-2009 | 2.9 | 1.9 | 1.4 |
| Apr-2009 | 2.9 | 2 | 1.3 |
| May-2009 | 2.9 | 1.7 | 1.3 |
| Jun-2009 | 2.8 | 1.7 | 1.3 |
| Jul-2009 | 3 | 1.7 | 1.3 |
| Aug-2009 | 2.9 | 1.6 | 1.2 |
| Sep-2009 | 3 | 1.7 | 1.3 |
| Oct-2009 | 3 | 1.6 | 1.3 |
| Nov-2009 | 3.1 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| Dec-2009 | 3.1 | 1.6 | 1.4 |
| Jan-2010 | 3 | 1.5 | 1.3 |
| Feb-2010 | 3 | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| Mar-2010 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| Apr-2010 | 3.2 | 1.3 | 1.5 |
| May-2010 | 3.4 | 1.3 | 1.4 |
| Jun-2010 | 3.1 | 1.6 | 1.5 |
| Jul-2010 | 3.2 | 1.7 | 1.4 |
| Aug-2010 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| Sep-2010 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 1.5 |
| Oct-2010 | 3.2 | 1.3 | 1.4 |
| Nov-2010 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| Dec-2010 | 3.3 | 1.4 | 1.5 |
| Jan-2011 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| Feb-2011 | 3.2 | 1.3 | 1.5 |
| Mar-2011 | 3.4 | 1.4 | 1.5 |
| Apr-2011 | 3.3 | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| May-2011 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 1.5 |
| Jun-2011 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Jul-2011 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 1.5 |
| Aug-2011 | 3.3 | 1.4 | 1.5 |
| Sep-2011 | 3.3 | 1.4 | 1.5 |
| Oct-2011 | 3.3 | 1.4 | 1.5 |
| Nov-2011 | 3.3 | 1.4 | 1.5 |
| Dec-2011 | 3.3 | 1.4 | 1.5 |
| Jan-2012 | 3.3 | 1.4 | 1.5 |
| Feb-2012 | 3.4 | 1.4 | 1.6 |
| Mar-2012 | 3.4 | 1.3 | 1.6 |
| Apr-2012 | 3.3 | 1.4 | 1.6 |
| May-2012 | 3.4 | 1.5 | 1.6 |
| Jun-2012 | 3.3 | 1.4 | 1.6 |
| Jul-2012 | 3.2 | 1.3 | 1.5 |
| Aug-2012 | 3.3 | 1.4 | 1.5 |
| Sep-2012 | 3.2 | 1.3 | 1.5 |
| Oct-2012 | 3.3 | 1.4 | 1.5 |
| Nov-2012 | 3.3 | 1.4 | 1.5 |
| Dec-2012 | 3.3 | 1.3 | 1.5 |
| Jan-2013 | 3.3 | 1.2 | 1.7 |
| Feb-2013 | 3.4 | 1.2 | 1.7 |
| Mar-2013 | 3.2 | 1.3 | 1.6 |
| Apr-2013 | 3.4 | 1.3 | 1.7 |
| May-2013 | 3.4 | 1.3 | 1.6 |
| Jun-2013 | 3.3 | 1.3 | 1.6 |
| Jul-2013 | 3.3 | 1.3 | 1.7 |
| Aug-2013 | 3.5 | 1.3 | 1.7 |
| Sep-2013 | 3.5 | 1.4 | 1.7 |
| Oct-2013 | 3.3 | 1.2 | 1.7 |
| Nov-2013 | 3.4 | 1.2 | 1.7 |
| Dec-2013 | 3.4 | 1.3 | 1.7 |
| Jan-2014 | 3.4 | 1.3 | 1.7 |
| Feb-2014 | 3.4 | 1.3 | 1.7 |
| Mar-2014 | 3.5 | 1.2 | 1.8 |
| Apr-2014 | 3.5 | 1.3 | 1.8 |
| May-2014 | 3.5 | 1.2 | 1.8 |
| Jun-2014 | 3.5 | 1.3 | 1.8 |
| Jul-2014 | 3.6 | 1.3 | 1.9 |
| Aug-2014 | 3.5 | 1.2 | 1.8 |
| Sep-2014 | 3.7 | 1.2 | 2 |
| Oct-2014 | 3.7 | 1.3 | 1.9 |
| Nov-2014 | 3.6 | 1.2 | 1.8 |
| Dec-2014 | 3.7 | 1.3 | 1.8 |
| Jan-2015 | 3.6 | 1.3 | 2 |
| Feb-2015 | 3.6 | 1.2 | 1.9 |
| Mar-2015 | 3.6 | 1.4 | 2 |
| Apr-2015 | 3.7 | 1.3 | 1.9 |
| May-2015 | 3.6 | 1.2 | 1.9 |
| Jun-2015 | 3.6 | 1.3 | 1.9 |
| Jul-2015 | 3.6 | 1.2 | 2 |
| Aug-2015 | 3.6 | 1.2 | 2 |
| Sep-2015 | 3.7 | 1.4 | 2 |
| Oct-2015 | 3.7 | 1.3 | 2 |
| Nov-2015 | 3.7 | 1.3 | 2 |
| Dec-2015 | 3.9 | 1.3 | 2.1 |
| Jan-2016 | 3.6 | 1.3 | 2 |
| Feb-2016 | 3.8 | 1.3 | 2.1 |
| Mar-2016 | 3.7 | 1.3 | 2 |
| Apr-2016 | 3.7 | 1.2 | 2.1 |
| May-2016 | 3.6 | 1.2 | 2.1 |
| Jun-2016 | 3.7 | 1.2 | 2.1 |
| Jul-2016 | 3.8 | 1.2 | 2.1 |
| Aug-2016 | 3.7 | 1.3 | 2.1 |
| Sep-2016 | 3.6 | 1.1 | 2.1 |
| Oct-2016 | 3.6 | 1.1 | 2.1 |
| Nov-2016 | 3.7 | 1.2 | 2.1 |
| Dec-2016 | 3.7 | 1.2 | 2 |
| Jan-2017 | 3.8 | 1.2 | 2.2 |
| Feb-2017 | 3.6 | 1.2 | 2.1 |
| Mar-2017 | 3.7 | 1.2 | 2.2 |
| Apr-2017 | 3.6 | 1.2 | 2.1 |
| May-2017 | 3.7 | 1.2 | 2.1 |
| Jun-2017 | 3.9 | 1.3 | 2.2 |
| Jul-2017 | 3.8 | 1.3 | 2.1 |
| Aug-2017 | 3.8 | 1.3 | 2.1 |
| Sep-2017 | 3.7 | 1.2 | 2.2 |
| Oct-2017 | 3.8 | 1.2 | 2.2 |
| Nov-2017 | 3.7 | 1.2 | 2.1 |
| Dec-2017 | 3.7 | 1.2 | 2.2 |
| Jan-2018 | 3.7 | 1.3 | 2 |
| Feb-2018 | 3.8 | 1.2 | 2.1 |
| Mar-2018 | 3.8 | 1.2 | 2.2 |
| Apr-2018 | 3.8 | 1.2 | 2.2 |
| May-2018 | 3.9 | 1.2 | 2.2 |
| Jun-2018 | 3.9 | 1.2 | 2.3 |
| Jul-2018 | 3.9 | 1.2 | 2.3 |
| Aug-2018 | 3.9 | 1.2 | 2.3 |
| Sep-2018 | 3.8 | 1.2 | 2.3 |
| Oct-2018 | 3.9 | 1.2 | 2.3 |
| Nov-2018 | 3.9 | 1.3 | 2.3 |
| Dec-2018 | 3.8 | 1.2 | 2.3 |
| Jan-2019 | 3.9 | 1.1 | 2.3 |
| Feb-2019 | 3.8 | 1.2 | 2.3 |
| Mar-2019 | 3.8 | 1.1 | 2.3 |
| Apr-2019 | 4 | 1.2 | 2.3 |
| May-2019 | 3.8 | 1.2 | 2.3 |
| Jun-2019 | 3.8 | 1.1 | 2.3 |
Note: 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, 2000-2019
| Month | Hires | Layoffs | Quits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec-2000 | 5426 | 2035 | 2868 |
| Jan-2001 | 5722 | 2220 | 3261 |
| Feb-2001 | 5303 | 1838 | 3040 |
| Mar-2001 | 5528 | 2126 | 3041 |
| Apr-2001 | 5204 | 1880 | 3172 |
| May-2001 | 5410 | 2041 | 2991 |
| Jun-2001 | 5109 | 2004 | 2886 |
| Jul-2001 | 5244 | 2060 | 2969 |
| Aug-2001 | 5223 | 2004 | 2933 |
| Sep-2001 | 4954 | 2101 | 2704 |
| Oct-2001 | 5078 | 2327 | 2798 |
| Nov-2001 | 4914 | 2260 | 2544 |
| Dec-2001 | 4829 | 1931 | 2553 |
| Jan-2002 | 4855 | 1908 | 2857 |
| Feb-2002 | 4801 | 1964 | 2558 |
| Mar-2002 | 4706 | 1870 | 2479 |
| Apr-2002 | 4928 | 1956 | 2633 |
| May-2002 | 4857 | 1977 | 2536 |
| Jun-2002 | 4869 | 2003 | 2529 |
| Jul-2002 | 4946 | 2120 | 2579 |
| Aug-2002 | 4871 | 1915 | 2567 |
| Sep-2002 | 4879 | 2016 | 2522 |
| Oct-2002 | 4798 | 1940 | 2426 |
| Nov-2002 | 4792 | 1950 | 2388 |
| Dec-2002 | 4893 | 2014 | 2490 |
| Jan-2003 | 5058 | 2113 | 2436 |
| Feb-2003 | 4714 | 2006 | 2473 |
| Mar-2003 | 4470 | 1939 | 2382 |
| Apr-2003 | 4600 | 1999 | 2289 |
| May-2003 | 4678 | 2078 | 2290 |
| Jun-2003 | 4682 | 2065 | 2322 |
| Jul-2003 | 4639 | 2078 | 2283 |
| Aug-2003 | 4666 | 2154 | 2201 |
| Sep-2003 | 4799 | 1927 | 2357 |
| Oct-2003 | 4902 | 1975 | 2421 |
| Nov-2003 | 4767 | 1954 | 2395 |
| Dec-2003 | 4984 | 2012 | 2436 |
| Jan-2004 | 4900 | 2044 | 2360 |
| Feb-2004 | 4788 | 1972 | 2437 |
| Mar-2004 | 5227 | 2052 | 2573 |
| Apr-2004 | 5152 | 2013 | 2541 |
| May-2004 | 4976 | 1917 | 2427 |
| Jun-2004 | 5009 | 1877 | 2667 |
| Jul-2004 | 4891 | 1895 | 2631 |
| Aug-2004 | 5013 | 1964 | 2591 |
| Sep-2004 | 5062 | 2024 | 2535 |
| Oct-2004 | 5149 | 1911 | 2558 |
| Nov-2004 | 5181 | 2042 | 2776 |
| Dec-2004 | 5153 | 1953 | 2687 |
| Jan-2005 | 5201 | 2017 | 2740 |
| Feb-2005 | 5276 | 2059 | 2642 |
| Mar-2005 | 5273 | 2179 | 2738 |
| Apr-2005 | 5362 | 1961 | 2747 |
| May-2005 | 5271 | 2020 | 2763 |
| Jun-2005 | 5376 | 2007 | 2759 |
| Jul-2005 | 5328 | 1905 | 2744 |
| Aug-2005 | 5409 | 1900 | 2963 |
| Sep-2005 | 5493 | 2031 | 3051 |
| Oct-2005 | 5124 | 1881 | 2869 |
| Nov-2005 | 5344 | 1773 | 2881 |
| Dec-2005 | 5294 | 1926 | 2841 |
| Jan-2006 | 5271 | 1796 | 2949 |
| Feb-2006 | 5474 | 1875 | 2948 |
| Mar-2006 | 5524 | 1877 | 2948 |
| Apr-2006 | 5215 | 1856 | 2783 |
| May-2006 | 5498 | 1988 | 3003 |
| Jun-2006 | 5455 | 1807 | 3046 |
| Jul-2006 | 5573 | 1865 | 3059 |
| Aug-2006 | 5373 | 1771 | 3062 |
| Sep-2006 | 5288 | 1828 | 2895 |
| Oct-2006 | 5375 | 1905 | 2992 |
| Nov-2006 | 5495 | 1928 | 3025 |
| Dec-2006 | 5214 | 1775 | 2987 |
| Jan-2007 | 5426 | 1936 | 2959 |
| Feb-2007 | 5160 | 1845 | 2921 |
| Mar-2007 | 5479 | 1872 | 2985 |
| Apr-2007 | 5353 | 2002 | 2913 |
| May-2007 | 5469 | 1963 | 3012 |
| Jun-2007 | 5267 | 1836 | 2912 |
| Jul-2007 | 5217 | 1904 | 2958 |
| Aug-2007 | 5358 | 2029 | 3023 |
| Sep-2007 | 5344 | 2186 | 2698 |
| Oct-2007 | 5398 | 2005 | 2933 |
| Nov-2007 | 5176 | 1967 | 2774 |
| Dec-2007 | 5119 | 1923 | 2763 |
| Jan-2008 | 5071 | 2010 | 2851 |
| Feb-2008 | 5077 | 1990 | 2866 |
| Mar-2008 | 4924 | 1906 | 2652 |
| Apr-2008 | 4948 | 1957 | 2840 |
| May-2008 | 4691 | 1948 | 2609 |
| Jun-2008 | 4893 | 2153 | 2597 |
| Jul-2008 | 4637 | 2076 | 2495 |
| Aug-2008 | 4682 | 2185 | 2452 |
| Sep-2008 | 4499 | 2087 | 2477 |
| Oct-2008 | 4548 | 2253 | 2352 |
| Nov-2008 | 4104 | 2289 | 2148 |
| Dec-2008 | 4348 | 2497 | 2081 |
| Jan-2009 | 4095 | 2614 | 1978 |
| Feb-2009 | 4061 | 2590 | 1945 |
| Mar-2009 | 3858 | 2560 | 1829 |
| Apr-2009 | 3888 | 2651 | 1713 |
| May-2009 | 3758 | 2228 | 1684 |
| Jun-2009 | 3639 | 2242 | 1686 |
| Jul-2009 | 3857 | 2274 | 1689 |
| Aug-2009 | 3810 | 2113 | 1561 |
| Sep-2009 | 3944 | 2195 | 1631 |
| Oct-2009 | 3838 | 2028 | 1663 |
| Nov-2009 | 4024 | 1911 | 1803 |
| Dec-2009 | 4004 | 2045 | 1758 |
| Jan-2010 | 3904 | 1902 | 1744 |
| Feb-2010 | 3864 | 1817 | 1834 |
| Mar-2010 | 4302 | 1916 | 1853 |
| Apr-2010 | 4159 | 1744 | 1898 |
| May-2010 | 4420 | 1761 | 1814 |
| Jun-2010 | 4111 | 2061 | 1911 |
| Jul-2010 | 4163 | 2173 | 1789 |
| Aug-2010 | 4046 | 1886 | 1852 |
| Sep-2010 | 4034 | 1834 | 1901 |
| Oct-2010 | 4173 | 1746 | 1848 |
| Nov-2010 | 4182 | 1848 | 1881 |
| Dec-2010 | 4299 | 1865 | 1968 |
| Jan-2011 | 4000 | 1846 | 1833 |
| Feb-2011 | 4231 | 1748 | 1952 |
| Mar-2011 | 4430 | 1787 | 2028 |
| Apr-2011 | 4296 | 1787 | 1883 |
| May-2011 | 4261 | 1903 | 1966 |
| Jun-2011 | 4366 | 1926 | 1923 |
| Jul-2011 | 4261 | 1850 | 1990 |
| Aug-2011 | 4298 | 1842 | 2043 |
| Sep-2011 | 4429 | 1875 | 2045 |
| Oct-2011 | 4370 | 1796 | 2000 |
| Nov-2011 | 4365 | 1911 | 2031 |
| Dec-2011 | 4356 | 1811 | 1975 |
| Jan-2012 | 4457 | 1817 | 2032 |
| Feb-2012 | 4560 | 1896 | 2123 |
| Mar-2012 | 4575 | 1775 | 2163 |
| Apr-2012 | 4389 | 1868 | 2136 |
| May-2012 | 4533 | 1968 | 2140 |
| Jun-2012 | 4440 | 1883 | 2151 |
| Jul-2012 | 4327 | 1729 | 2075 |
| Aug-2012 | 4450 | 1889 | 2080 |
| Sep-2012 | 4302 | 1808 | 1957 |
| Oct-2012 | 4389 | 1897 | 2037 |
| Nov-2012 | 4489 | 1920 | 2070 |
| Dec-2012 | 4452 | 1708 | 2045 |
| Jan-2013 | 4487 | 1690 | 2281 |
| Feb-2013 | 4571 | 1655 | 2281 |
| Mar-2013 | 4369 | 1780 | 2118 |
| Apr-2013 | 4572 | 1786 | 2297 |
| May-2013 | 4663 | 1833 | 2237 |
| Jun-2013 | 4440 | 1755 | 2203 |
| Jul-2013 | 4561 | 1731 | 2367 |
| Aug-2013 | 4730 | 1814 | 2331 |
| Sep-2013 | 4726 | 1892 | 2307 |
| Oct-2013 | 4518 | 1681 | 2374 |
| Nov-2013 | 4622 | 1630 | 2384 |
| Dec-2013 | 4614 | 1774 | 2281 |
| Jan-2014 | 4626 | 1815 | 2312 |
| Feb-2014 | 4696 | 1758 | 2401 |
| Mar-2014 | 4763 | 1697 | 2441 |
| Apr-2014 | 4880 | 1752 | 2476 |
| May-2014 | 4808 | 1706 | 2486 |
| Jun-2014 | 4925 | 1753 | 2506 |
| Jul-2014 | 5008 | 1801 | 2637 |
| Aug-2014 | 4810 | 1698 | 2564 |
| Sep-2014 | 5149 | 1716 | 2737 |
| Oct-2014 | 5111 | 1844 | 2721 |
| Nov-2014 | 4978 | 1727 | 2588 |
| Dec-2014 | 5192 | 1860 | 2543 |
| Jan-2015 | 5071 | 1772 | 2754 |
| Feb-2015 | 5096 | 1743 | 2729 |
| Mar-2015 | 5138 | 1951 | 2754 |
| Apr-2015 | 5205 | 1848 | 2709 |
| May-2015 | 5166 | 1711 | 2750 |
| Jun-2015 | 5127 | 1829 | 2757 |
| Jul-2015 | 5170 | 1712 | 2776 |
| Aug-2015 | 5183 | 1765 | 2900 |
| Sep-2015 | 5260 | 1951 | 2786 |
| Oct-2015 | 5321 | 1845 | 2821 |
| Nov-2015 | 5341 | 1792 | 2886 |
| Dec-2015 | 5546 | 1836 | 3012 |
| Jan-2016 | 5214 | 1806 | 2883 |
| Feb-2016 | 5493 | 1913 | 2982 |
| Mar-2016 | 5369 | 1863 | 2908 |
| Apr-2016 | 5304 | 1783 | 2952 |
| May-2016 | 5228 | 1795 | 3023 |
| Jun-2016 | 5288 | 1738 | 2982 |
| Jul-2016 | 5427 | 1777 | 2988 |
| Aug-2016 | 5321 | 1825 | 3009 |
| Sep-2016 | 5273 | 1593 | 3038 |
| Oct-2016 | 5177 | 1637 | 3105 |
| Nov-2016 | 5320 | 1772 | 3006 |
| Dec-2016 | 5408 | 1769 | 2963 |
| Jan-2017 | 5528 | 1735 | 3154 |
| Feb-2017 | 5313 | 1687 | 3076 |
| Mar-2017 | 5389 | 1745 | 3148 |
| Apr-2017 | 5292 | 1719 | 3030 |
| May-2017 | 5469 | 1796 | 3138 |
| Jun-2017 | 5652 | 1958 | 3151 |
| Jul-2017 | 5510 | 1886 | 3134 |
| Aug-2017 | 5548 | 1849 | 3147 |
| Sep-2017 | 5395 | 1817 | 3210 |
| Oct-2017 | 5587 | 1803 | 3209 |
| Nov-2017 | 5486 | 1738 | 3156 |
| Dec-2017 | 5488 | 1787 | 3189 |
| Jan-2018 | 5525 | 1934 | 3022 |
| Feb-2018 | 5594 | 1763 | 3176 |
| Mar-2018 | 5625 | 1771 | 3300 |
| Apr-2018 | 5694 | 1788 | 3339 |
| May-2018 | 5862 | 1811 | 3342 |
| Jun-2018 | 5833 | 1843 | 3354 |
| Jul-2018 | 5833 | 1859 | 3443 |
| Aug-2018 | 5826 | 1809 | 3473 |
| Sep-2018 | 5670 | 1818 | 3393 |
| Oct-2018 | 5877 | 1855 | 3469 |
| Nov-2018 | 5821 | 1889 | 3379 |
| Dec-2018 | 5717 | 1751 | 3391 |
| Jan-2019 | 5829 | 1695 | 3483 |
| Feb-2019 | 5695 | 1784 | 3447 |
| Mar-2019 | 5697 | 1693 | 3461 |
| Apr-2019 | 5991 | 1830 | 3516 |
| May-2019 | 5760 | 1773 | 3478 |
| Jun-2019 | 5716 | 1711 | 3462 |
| Jul-2019 | 5978 | 1788 | 3668 |
| Aug-2019 | 5884 | 1812 | 3601 |
| Sep-2019 | 5951 | 1971 | 3471 |
| Oct-2019 | 5782 | 1795 | 3497 |
| Nov-2019 | 5827 | 1768 | 3568 |
| Dec-2019 | 5907 | 1895 | 3488 |
Note: Shaded areas denote recessions.
Source: EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey
The job-seekers ratio, 2000-2019
| Unemployed job seekers per job opening | |
|---|---|
| Dec-2000 | 1.16 |
| Jan-2001 | 1.12 |
| Feb-2001 | 1.22 |
| Mar-2001 | 1.31 |
| Apr-2001 | 1.32 |
| May-2001 | 1.38 |
| Jun-2001 | 1.48 |
| Jul-2001 | 1.44 |
| Aug-2001 | 1.74 |
| Sep-2001 | 1.77 |
| Oct-2001 | 2.06 |
| Nov-2001 | 2.19 |
| Dec-2001 | 2.34 |
| Jan-2002 | 2.16 |
| Feb-2002 | 2.43 |
| Mar-2002 | 2.32 |
| Apr-2002 | 2.40 |
| May-2002 | 2.39 |
| Jun-2002 | 2.46 |
| Jul-2002 | 2.42 |
| Aug-2002 | 2.35 |
| Sep-2002 | 2.51 |
| Oct-2002 | 2.37 |
| Nov-2002 | 2.50 |
| Dec-2002 | 2.84 |
| Jan-2003 | 2.43 |
| Feb-2003 | 2.71 |
| Mar-2003 | 2.80 |
| Apr-2003 | 2.76 |
| May-2003 | 2.68 |
| Jun-2003 | 2.73 |
| Jul-2003 | 2.93 |
| Aug-2003 | 2.78 |
| Sep-2003 | 2.89 |
| Oct-2003 | 2.62 |
| Nov-2003 | 2.67 |
| Dec-2003 | 2.53 |
| Jan-2004 | 2.42 |
| Feb-2004 | 2.35 |
| Mar-2004 | 2.43 |
| Apr-2004 | 2.26 |
| May-2004 | 2.19 |
| Jun-2004 | 2.48 |
| Jul-2004 | 2.09 |
| Aug-2004 | 2.25 |
| Sep-2004 | 2.07 |
| Oct-2004 | 2.03 |
| Nov-2004 | 2.36 |
| Dec-2004 | 2.02 |
| Jan-2005 | 2.03 |
| Feb-2005 | 2.05 |
| Mar-2005 | 1.93 |
| Apr-2005 | 1.80 |
| May-2005 | 1.99 |
| Jun-2005 | 1.85 |
| Jul-2005 | 1.71 |
| Aug-2005 | 1.77 |
| Sep-2005 | 1.73 |
| Oct-2005 | 1.77 |
| Nov-2005 | 1.84 |
| Dec-2005 | 1.76 |
| Jan-2006 | 1.60 |
| Feb-2006 | 1.69 |
| Mar-2006 | 1.50 |
| Apr-2006 | 1.45 |
| May-2006 | 1.55 |
| Jun-2006 | 1.51 |
| Jul-2006 | 1.61 |
| Aug-2006 | 1.50 |
| Sep-2006 | 1.43 |
| Oct-2006 | 1.45 |
| Nov-2006 | 1.52 |
| Dec-2006 | 1.51 |
| Jan-2007 | 1.50 |
| Feb-2007 | 1.50 |
| Mar-2007 | 1.37 |
| Apr-2007 | 1.42 |
| May-2007 | 1.44 |
| Jun-2007 | 1.43 |
| Jul-2007 | 1.53 |
| Aug-2007 | 1.54 |
| Sep-2007 | 1.53 |
| Oct-2007 | 1.55 |
| Nov-2007 | 1.60 |
| Dec-2007 | 1.74 |
| Jan-2008 | 1.67 |
| Feb-2008 | 1.77 |
| Mar-2008 | 1.86 |
| Apr-2008 | 1.85 |
| May-2008 | 1.98 |
| Jun-2008 | 2.23 |
| Jul-2008 | 2.35 |
| Aug-2008 | 2.54 |
| Sep-2008 | 2.93 |
| Oct-2008 | 2.96 |
| Nov-2008 | 3.34 |
| Dec-2008 | 3.69 |
| Jan-2009 | 4.42 |
| Feb-2009 | 4.54 |
| Mar-2009 | 5.33 |
| Apr-2009 | 5.91 |
| May-2009 | 5.63 |
| Jun-2009 | 5.84 |
| Jul-2009 | 6.45 |
| Aug-2009 | 6.26 |
| Sep-2009 | 6.05 |
| Oct-2009 | 6.34 |
| Nov-2009 | 6.25 |
| Dec-2009 | 6.07 |
| Jan-2010 | 5.31 |
| Feb-2010 | 5.70 |
| Mar-2010 | 5.67 |
| Apr-2010 | 4.76 |
| May-2010 | 4.92 |
| Jun-2010 | 5.15 |
| Jul-2010 | 4.64 |
| Aug-2010 | 4.84 |
| Sep-2010 | 5.01 |
| Oct-2010 | 4.46 |
| Nov-2010 | 4.81 |
| Dec-2010 | 4.83 |
| Jan-2011 | 4.52 |
| Feb-2011 | 4.30 |
| Mar-2011 | 4.22 |
| Apr-2011 | 4.18 |
| May-2011 | 4.32 |
| Jun-2011 | 4.03 |
| Jul-2011 | 3.74 |
| Aug-2011 | 4.11 |
| Sep-2011 | 3.71 |
| Oct-2011 | 3.72 |
| Nov-2011 | 3.82 |
| Dec-2011 | 3.58 |
| Jan-2012 | 3.28 |
| Feb-2012 | 3.55 |
| Mar-2012 | 3.20 |
| Apr-2012 | 3.26 |
| May-2012 | 3.28 |
| Jun-2012 | 3.24 |
| Jul-2012 | 3.34 |
| Aug-2012 | 3.25 |
| Sep-2012 | 3.14 |
| Oct-2012 | 3.18 |
| Nov-2012 | 3.17 |
| Dec-2012 | 3.20 |
| Jan-2013 | 3.19 |
| Feb-2013 | 3.00 |
| Mar-2013 | 2.86 |
| Apr-2013 | 2.88 |
| May-2013 | 2.79 |
| Jun-2013 | 2.82 |
| Jul-2013 | 2.87 |
| Aug-2013 | 2.74 |
| Sep-2013 | 2.75 |
| Oct-2013 | 2.61 |
| Nov-2013 | 2.70 |
| Dec-2013 | 2.60 |
| Jan-2014 | 2.47 |
| Feb-2014 | 2.38 |
| Mar-2014 | 2.37 |
| Apr-2014 | 2.08 |
| May-2014 | 2.06 |
| Jun-2014 | 1.89 |
| Jul-2014 | 1.95 |
| Aug-2014 | 1.78 |
| Sep-2014 | 1.90 |
| Oct-2014 | 1.77 |
| Nov-2014 | 1.93 |
| Dec-2014 | 1.75 |
| Jan-2015 | 1.65 |
| Feb-2015 | 1.59 |
| Mar-2015 | 1.63 |
| Apr-2015 | 1.49 |
| May-2015 | 1.58 |
| Jun-2015 | 1.57 |
| Jul-2015 | 1.33 |
| Aug-2015 | 1.45 |
| Sep-2015 | 1.45 |
| Oct-2015 | 1.36 |
| Nov-2015 | 1.44 |
| Dec-2015 | 1.39 |
| Jan-2016 | 1.29 |
| Feb-2016 | 1.35 |
| Mar-2016 | 1.29 |
| Apr-2016 | 1.36 |
| May-2016 | 1.33 |
| Jun-2016 | 1.35 |
| Jul-2016 | 1.26 |
| Aug-2016 | 1.37 |
| Sep-2016 | 1.37 |
| Oct-2016 | 1.39 |
| Nov-2016 | 1.28 |
| Dec-2016 | 1.29 |
| Jan-2017 | 1.34 |
| Feb-2017 | 1.26 |
| Mar-2017 | 1.21 |
| Apr-2017 | 1.15 |
| May-2017 | 1.21 |
| Jun-2017 | 1.09 |
| Jul-2017 | 1.08 |
| Aug-2017 | 1.12 |
| Sep-2017 | 1.09 |
| Oct-2017 | 1.03 |
| Nov-2017 | 1.09 |
| Dec-2017 | 1.06 |
| Jan-2018 | 1.00 |
| Feb-2018 | 1.02 |
| Mar-2018 | 0.94 |
| Apr-2018 | 0.90 |
| May-2018 | 0.87 |
| Jun-2018 | 0.88 |
| Jul-2018 | 0.83 |
| Aug-2018 | 0.84 |
| Sep-2018 | 0.82 |
| Oct-2018 | 0.81 |
| Nov-2018 | 0.79 |
| Dec-2018 | 0.84 |
| Jan-2019 | 0.85 |
| Feb-2019 | 0.87 |
| Mar-2019 | 0.83 |
| Apr-2019 | 0.79 |
| May-2019 | 0.80 |
| Jun-2019 | 0.83 |
| Jul-2019 | 0.84 |
| Aug-2019 | 0.82 |
| Sep-2019 | 0.82 |
| Oct-2019 | 0.80 |
| Nov-2019 | 0.86 |
| Dec-2019 | 0.90 |
Note: Shaded areas denote recessions.
Source: EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey and Current Population Survey
Job openings levels and unemployment levels, 2000-2019
| Job Openings level | Unemployment level | |
|---|---|---|
| Dec-2000 | 4868 | 5634 |
| Jan-2001 | 5362 | 6023 |
| Feb-2001 | 5008 | 6089 |
| Mar-2001 | 4698 | 6141 |
| Apr-2001 | 4752 | 6271 |
| May-2001 | 4503 | 6226 |
| Jun-2001 | 4378 | 6484 |
| Jul-2001 | 4578 | 6583 |
| Aug-2001 | 4042 | 7042 |
| Sep-2001 | 4045 | 7142 |
| Oct-2001 | 3729 | 7694 |
| Nov-2001 | 3649 | 8003 |
| Dec-2001 | 3523 | 8258 |
| Jan-2002 | 3782 | 8182 |
| Feb-2002 | 3377 | 8215 |
| Mar-2002 | 3573 | 8304 |
| Apr-2002 | 3576 | 8599 |
| May-2002 | 3508 | 8399 |
| Jun-2002 | 3415 | 8393 |
| Jul-2002 | 3461 | 8390 |
| Aug-2002 | 3531 | 8304 |
| Sep-2002 | 3290 | 8251 |
| Oct-2002 | 3502 | 8307 |
| Nov-2002 | 3405 | 8520 |
| Dec-2002 | 3039 | 8640 |
| Jan-2003 | 3500 | 8520 |
| Feb-2003 | 3178 | 8618 |
| Mar-2003 | 3064 | 8588 |
| Apr-2003 | 3208 | 8842 |
| May-2003 | 3336 | 8957 |
| Jun-2003 | 3398 | 9266 |
| Jul-2003 | 3073 | 9011 |
| Aug-2003 | 3204 | 8896 |
| Sep-2003 | 3082 | 8921 |
| Oct-2003 | 3330 | 8732 |
| Nov-2003 | 3218 | 8576 |
| Dec-2003 | 3281 | 8317 |
| Jan-2004 | 3462 | 8370 |
| Feb-2004 | 3478 | 8167 |
| Mar-2004 | 3492 | 8491 |
| Apr-2004 | 3615 | 8170 |
| May-2004 | 3758 | 8212 |
| Jun-2004 | 3345 | 8286 |
| Jul-2004 | 3900 | 8136 |
| Aug-2004 | 3556 | 7990 |
| Sep-2004 | 3829 | 7927 |
| Oct-2004 | 3970 | 8061 |
| Nov-2004 | 3360 | 7932 |
| Dec-2004 | 3935 | 7934 |
| Jan-2005 | 3827 | 7784 |
| Feb-2005 | 3901 | 7980 |
| Mar-2005 | 4019 | 7737 |
| Apr-2005 | 4272 | 7672 |
| May-2005 | 3842 | 7651 |
| Jun-2005 | 4072 | 7524 |
| Jul-2005 | 4337 | 7406 |
| Aug-2005 | 4160 | 7345 |
| Sep-2005 | 4376 | 7553 |
| Oct-2005 | 4218 | 7453 |
| Nov-2005 | 4118 | 7566 |
| Dec-2005 | 4146 | 7279 |
| Jan-2006 | 4404 | 7064 |
| Feb-2006 | 4260 | 7184 |
| Mar-2006 | 4706 | 7072 |
| Apr-2006 | 4915 | 7120 |
| May-2006 | 4505 | 6980 |
| Jun-2006 | 4625 | 7001 |
| Jul-2006 | 4467 | 7175 |
| Aug-2006 | 4739 | 7091 |
| Sep-2006 | 4778 | 6847 |
| Oct-2006 | 4643 | 6727 |
| Nov-2006 | 4530 | 6872 |
| Dec-2006 | 4469 | 6762 |
| Jan-2007 | 4750 | 7116 |
| Feb-2007 | 4618 | 6927 |
| Mar-2007 | 4926 | 6731 |
| Apr-2007 | 4820 | 6850 |
| May-2007 | 4699 | 6766 |
| Jun-2007 | 4882 | 6979 |
| Jul-2007 | 4668 | 7149 |
| Aug-2007 | 4586 | 7067 |
| Sep-2007 | 4682 | 7170 |
| Oct-2007 | 4676 | 7237 |
| Nov-2007 | 4537 | 7240 |
| Dec-2007 | 4400 | 7645 |
| Jan-2008 | 4604 | 7685 |
| Feb-2008 | 4233 | 7497 |
| Mar-2008 | 4205 | 7822 |
| Apr-2008 | 4124 | 7637 |
| May-2008 | 4237 | 8395 |
| Jun-2008 | 3849 | 8575 |
| Jul-2008 | 3800 | 8937 |
| Aug-2008 | 3709 | 9438 |
| Sep-2008 | 3240 | 9494 |
| Oct-2008 | 3403 | 10074 |
| Nov-2008 | 3158 | 10538 |
| Dec-2008 | 3059 | 11286 |
| Jan-2009 | 2731 | 12058 |
| Feb-2009 | 2838 | 12898 |
| Mar-2009 | 2521 | 13426 |
| Apr-2009 | 2343 | 13853 |
| May-2009 | 2574 | 14499 |
| Jun-2009 | 2517 | 14707 |
| Jul-2009 | 2264 | 14601 |
| Aug-2009 | 2365 | 14814 |
| Sep-2009 | 2481 | 15009 |
| Oct-2009 | 2422 | 15352 |
| Nov-2009 | 2435 | 15219 |
| Dec-2009 | 2487 | 15098 |
| Jan-2010 | 2833 | 15046 |
| Feb-2010 | 2651 | 15113 |
| Mar-2010 | 2679 | 15202 |
| Apr-2010 | 3217 | 15325 |
| May-2010 | 3019 | 14849 |
| Jun-2010 | 2813 | 14474 |
| Jul-2010 | 3127 | 14512 |
| Aug-2010 | 3025 | 14648 |
| Sep-2010 | 2912 | 14579 |
| Oct-2010 | 3256 | 14516 |
| Nov-2010 | 3134 | 15081 |
| Dec-2010 | 2969 | 14348 |
| Jan-2011 | 3100 | 14013 |
| Feb-2011 | 3213 | 13820 |
| Mar-2011 | 3253 | 13737 |
| Apr-2011 | 3337 | 13957 |
| May-2011 | 3207 | 13855 |
| Jun-2011 | 3467 | 13962 |
| Jul-2011 | 3676 | 13763 |
| Aug-2011 | 3358 | 13818 |
| Sep-2011 | 3763 | 13948 |
| Oct-2011 | 3650 | 13594 |
| Nov-2011 | 3485 | 13302 |
| Dec-2011 | 3662 | 13093 |
| Jan-2012 | 3904 | 12797 |
| Feb-2012 | 3605 | 12813 |
| Mar-2012 | 3976 | 12713 |
| Apr-2012 | 3878 | 12646 |
| May-2012 | 3861 | 12660 |
| Jun-2012 | 3916 | 12692 |
| Jul-2012 | 3790 | 12656 |
| Aug-2012 | 3839 | 12471 |
| Sep-2012 | 3861 | 12115 |
| Oct-2012 | 3808 | 12124 |
| Nov-2012 | 3787 | 12005 |
| Dec-2012 | 3840 | 12298 |
| Jan-2013 | 3915 | 12471 |
| Feb-2013 | 3981 | 11950 |
| Mar-2013 | 4080 | 11689 |
| Apr-2013 | 4078 | 11760 |
| May-2013 | 4173 | 11654 |
| Jun-2013 | 4166 | 11751 |
| Jul-2013 | 3946 | 11335 |
| Aug-2013 | 4112 | 11279 |
| Sep-2013 | 4105 | 11270 |
| Oct-2013 | 4268 | 11136 |
| Nov-2013 | 4002 | 10787 |
| Dec-2013 | 3996 | 10404 |
| Jan-2014 | 4131 | 10202 |
| Feb-2014 | 4347 | 10349 |
| Mar-2014 | 4388 | 10380 |
| Apr-2014 | 4662 | 9702 |
| May-2014 | 4775 | 9859 |
| Jun-2014 | 4999 | 9460 |
| Jul-2014 | 4919 | 9608 |
| Aug-2014 | 5383 | 9599 |
| Sep-2014 | 4876 | 9262 |
| Oct-2014 | 5066 | 8990 |
| Nov-2014 | 4719 | 9090 |
| Dec-2014 | 4981 | 8717 |
| Jan-2015 | 5377 | 8885 |
| Feb-2015 | 5410 | 8599 |
| Mar-2015 | 5223 | 8515 |
| Apr-2015 | 5726 | 8550 |
| May-2015 | 5587 | 8834 |
| Jun-2015 | 5259 | 8247 |
| Jul-2015 | 6147 | 8167 |
| Aug-2015 | 5517 | 7992 |
| Sep-2015 | 5450 | 7907 |
| Oct-2015 | 5846 | 7922 |
| Nov-2015 | 5564 | 8000 |
| Dec-2015 | 5678 | 7907 |
| Jan-2016 | 5977 | 7721 |
| Feb-2016 | 5747 | 7746 |
| Mar-2016 | 6151 | 7945 |
| Apr-2016 | 5872 | 7975 |
| May-2016 | 5775 | 7668 |
| Jun-2016 | 5778 | 7786 |
| Jul-2016 | 6088 | 7658 |
| Aug-2016 | 5720 | 7809 |
| Sep-2016 | 5828 | 7967 |
| Oct-2016 | 5616 | 7827 |
| Nov-2016 | 5862 | 7488 |
| Dec-2016 | 5831 | 7495 |
| Jan-2017 | 5624 | 7518 |
| Feb-2017 | 5875 | 7399 |
| Mar-2017 | 5848 | 7088 |
| Apr-2017 | 6157 | 7085 |
| May-2017 | 5821 | 7059 |
| Jun-2017 | 6371 | 6933 |
| Jul-2017 | 6349 | 6867 |
| Aug-2017 | 6352 | 7097 |
| Sep-2017 | 6256 | 6841 |
| Oct-2017 | 6405 | 6599 |
| Nov-2017 | 6163 | 6697 |
| Dec-2017 | 6204 | 6561 |
| Jan-2018 | 6591 | 6582 |
| Feb-2018 | 6530 | 6641 |
| Mar-2018 | 6894 | 6493 |
| Apr-2018 | 7106 | 6418 |
| May-2018 | 7126 | 6209 |
| Jun-2018 | 7393 | 6519 |
| Jul-2018 | 7442 | 6180 |
| Aug-2018 | 7342 | 6167 |
| Sep-2018 | 7392 | 6045 |
| Oct-2018 | 7593 | 6123 |
| Nov-2018 | 7626 | 6034 |
| Dec-2018 | 7479 | 6286 |
| Jan-2019 | 7625 | 6516 |
| Feb-2019 | 7142 | 6181 |
| Mar-2019 | 7474 | 6194 |
| Apr-2019 | 7372 | 5850 |
| May-2019 | 7384 | 5938 |
| Jun-2019 | 7248 | 5985 |
| Jul-2019 | 7174 | 6027 |
| Aug-2019 | 7301 | 5999 |
| Sep-2019 | 7032 | 5753 |
| Oct-2019 | 7361 | 5857 |
| Nov-2019 | 6787 | 5811 |
| Dec-2019 | 6423 | 5753 |
Note: Shaded areas denote recessions.
Source: EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey and Current Population Survey
Unemployed and job openings, by industry (in millions)
| Industry | Unemployed | Job openings |
|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 0.4406 | 1.1553 |
| Wholesale trade | 0.0967 | 0.2142 |
| Professional and business services | 0.6473 | 1.2925 |
| Finance and Insurance | 0.1446 | 0.2611 |
| Information | 0.0888 | 0.1363 |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 0.0713 | 0.1050 |
| Government | 0.4956 | 0.7119 |
| Accommodation and food services | 0.6048 | 0.8673 |
| Transportation and utilities | 0.2559 | 0.3128 |
| Mining | 0.0241 | 0.0293 |
| Retail trade | 0.7063 | 0.7949 |
| Other services | 0.2167 | 0.2400 |
| Durable goods manufacturing | 0.2740 | 0.2981 |
| Nondurable goods manufacturing | 0.1943 | 0.1643 |
| Arts, entertainment, and recreation | 0.1415 | 0.1168 |
| Construction | 0.4350 | 0.3298 |
| Educational services | 0.1798 | 0.1268 |
Note: Because the data are not seasonally adjusted, these are 12-month averages, July 2018–June 2019.
Source: EPI analysis of data from the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey and the Current Population Survey
