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: December 8, 2021
• November 12, 2021
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.
After falling sharply in August with the significant rise in COVID caseloads, the job openings rate continued to soften in September. pic.twitter.com/bxk8IWouD8
— Elise Gould (@eliselgould) November 12, 2021
High quits continue to be most notable in the leisure and hospitality super sector. Within that sector, the quits rate remains highest in accommodations and food services (6.6%) but increased the most in arts, entertainment, and recreation between August and September (3.2-5.7%).
— Elise Gould (@eliselgould) November 12, 2021
While record high quits has remained the big story for the last couple of months, I expect hiring to rebound in the next #JOLTS report with receding Delta-driven COVID caseloads and the return of stronger job growth in the October jobs data. pic.twitter.com/3tEYc9UOyb
— Elise Gould (@eliselgould) November 12, 2021
Hires, quits, and layoff rates, 2000–2021
| Date | Hires | Quits | Layoffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-12-01 | 4.1 | 2.2 | 1.5 |
| 2001-01-01 | 4.3 | 2.4 | 1.7 |
| 2001-02-01 | 4.0 | 2.3 | 1.4 |
| 2001-03-01 | 4.2 | 2.3 | 1.6 |
| 2001-04-01 | 3.9 | 2.4 | 1.4 |
| 2001-05-01 | 4.1 | 2.3 | 1.5 |
| 2001-06-01 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 1.5 |
| 2001-07-01 | 4.0 | 2.2 | 1.5 |
| 2001-08-01 | 4.0 | 2.2 | 1.5 |
| 2001-09-01 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.6 |
| 2001-10-01 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.8 |
| 2001-11-01 | 3.7 | 2.0 | 1.7 |
| 2001-12-01 | 3.7 | 2.0 | 1.5 |
| 2002-01-01 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 1.5 |
| 2002-02-01 | 3.7 | 2.0 | 1.5 |
| 2002-03-01 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.4 |
| 2002-04-01 | 3.8 | 2.0 | 1.5 |
| 2002-05-01 | 3.7 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| 2002-06-01 | 3.7 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| 2002-07-01 | 3.8 | 2.0 | 1.6 |
| 2002-08-01 | 3.7 | 2.0 | 1.5 |
| 2002-09-01 | 3.7 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| 2002-10-01 | 3.7 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| 2002-11-01 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 1.5 |
| 2002-12-01 | 3.7 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| 2003-01-01 | 3.9 | 1.9 | 1.6 |
| 2003-02-01 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| 2003-03-01 | 3.4 | 1.8 | 1.5 |
| 2003-04-01 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 1.5 |
| 2003-05-01 | 3.6 | 1.8 | 1.6 |
| 2003-06-01 | 3.6 | 1.8 | 1.6 |
| 2003-07-01 | 3.6 | 1.7 | 1.6 |
| 2003-08-01 | 3.6 | 1.7 | 1.7 |
| 2003-09-01 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 1.5 |
| 2003-10-01 | 3.8 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| 2003-11-01 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 1.5 |
| 2003-12-01 | 3.8 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| 2004-01-01 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 1.6 |
| 2004-02-01 | 3.7 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| 2004-03-01 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 1.6 |
| 2004-04-01 | 3.9 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| 2004-05-01 | 3.8 | 1.8 | 1.5 |
| 2004-06-01 | 3.8 | 2.0 | 1.4 |
| 2004-07-01 | 3.7 | 2.0 | 1.4 |
| 2004-08-01 | 3.8 | 2.0 | 1.5 |
| 2004-09-01 | 3.8 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| 2004-10-01 | 3.9 | 1.9 | 1.4 |
| 2004-11-01 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| 2004-12-01 | 3.9 | 2.0 | 1.5 |
| 2005-01-01 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| 2005-02-01 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 1.6 |
| 2005-03-01 | 4.0 | 2.1 | 1.6 |
| 2005-04-01 | 4.0 | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| 2005-05-01 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| 2005-06-01 | 4.0 | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| 2005-07-01 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 1.4 |
| 2005-08-01 | 4.0 | 2.2 | 1.4 |
| 2005-09-01 | 4.1 | 2.3 | 1.5 |
| 2005-10-01 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
| 2005-11-01 | 4.0 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| 2005-12-01 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
| 2006-01-01 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 1.3 |
| 2006-02-01 | 4.0 | 2.2 | 1.4 |
| 2006-03-01 | 4.1 | 2.2 | 1.4 |
| 2006-04-01 | 3.8 | 2.0 | 1.4 |
| 2006-05-01 | 4.0 | 2.2 | 1.5 |
| 2006-06-01 | 4.0 | 2.2 | 1.3 |
| 2006-07-01 | 4.1 | 2.2 | 1.4 |
| 2006-08-01 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 1.3 |
| 2006-09-01 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| 2006-10-01 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 1.4 |
| 2006-11-01 | 4.0 | 2.2 | 1.4 |
| 2006-12-01 | 3.8 | 2.2 | 1.3 |
| 2007-01-01 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
| 2007-02-01 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| 2007-03-01 | 4.0 | 2.2 | 1.4 |
| 2007-04-01 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| 2007-05-01 | 4.0 | 2.2 | 1.4 |
| 2007-06-01 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| 2007-07-01 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
| 2007-08-01 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 1.5 |
| 2007-09-01 | 3.9 | 1.9 | 1.6 |
| 2007-10-01 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
| 2007-11-01 | 3.7 | 2.0 | 1.4 |
| 2007-12-01 | 3.7 | 2.0 | 1.4 |
| 2008-01-01 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
| 2008-02-01 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
| 2008-03-01 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.4 |
| 2008-04-01 | 3.6 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
| 2008-05-01 | 3.4 | 1.9 | 1.4 |
| 2008-06-01 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.6 |
| 2008-07-01 | 3.4 | 1.8 | 1.5 |
| 2008-08-01 | 3.4 | 1.8 | 1.6 |
| 2008-09-01 | 3.3 | 1.8 | 1.5 |
| 2008-10-01 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 1.7 |
| 2008-11-01 | 3.0 | 1.6 | 1.7 |
| 2008-12-01 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 1.8 |
| 2009-01-01 | 3.1 | 1.5 | 1.9 |
| 2009-02-01 | 3.0 | 1.5 | 1.9 |
| 2009-03-01 | 2.9 | 1.4 | 1.9 |
| 2009-04-01 | 2.9 | 1.3 | 2.0 |
| 2009-05-01 | 2.9 | 1.3 | 1.7 |
| 2009-06-01 | 2.8 | 1.3 | 1.7 |
| 2009-07-01 | 3.0 | 1.3 | 1.7 |
| 2009-08-01 | 2.9 | 1.2 | 1.6 |
| 2009-09-01 | 3.0 | 1.2 | 1.7 |
| 2009-10-01 | 3.0 | 1.3 | 1.6 |
| 2009-11-01 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 1.5 |
| 2009-12-01 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 1.6 |
| 2010-01-01 | 3.0 | 1.3 | 1.4 |
| 2010-02-01 | 3.0 | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| 2010-03-01 | 3.3 | 1.4 | 1.5 |
| 2010-04-01 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 1.3 |
| 2010-05-01 | 3.4 | 1.4 | 1.3 |
| 2010-06-01 | 3.1 | 1.5 | 1.6 |
| 2010-07-01 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 1.7 |
| 2010-08-01 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| 2010-09-01 | 3.1 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| 2010-10-01 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 1.3 |
| 2010-11-01 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| 2010-12-01 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| 2011-01-01 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| 2011-02-01 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 1.3 |
| 2011-03-01 | 3.4 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| 2011-04-01 | 3.3 | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| 2011-05-01 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| 2011-06-01 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| 2011-07-01 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| 2011-08-01 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| 2011-09-01 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| 2011-10-01 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| 2011-11-01 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| 2011-12-01 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| 2012-01-01 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.3 |
| 2012-02-01 | 3.4 | 1.6 | 1.4 |
| 2012-03-01 | 3.4 | 1.6 | 1.3 |
| 2012-04-01 | 3.3 | 1.6 | 1.4 |
| 2012-05-01 | 3.4 | 1.6 | 1.5 |
| 2012-06-01 | 3.3 | 1.6 | 1.4 |
| 2012-07-01 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 1.3 |
| 2012-08-01 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| 2012-09-01 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 1.3 |
| 2012-10-01 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| 2012-11-01 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| 2012-12-01 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.3 |
| 2013-01-01 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 1.2 |
| 2013-02-01 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 1.2 |
| 2013-03-01 | 3.2 | 1.6 | 1.3 |
| 2013-04-01 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 1.3 |
| 2013-05-01 | 3.4 | 1.6 | 1.3 |
| 2013-06-01 | 3.3 | 1.6 | 1.3 |
| 2013-07-01 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 1.3 |
| 2013-08-01 | 3.5 | 1.7 | 1.3 |
| 2013-09-01 | 3.5 | 1.7 | 1.4 |
| 2013-10-01 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 1.2 |
| 2013-11-01 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 1.2 |
| 2013-12-01 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 1.3 |
| 2014-01-01 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 1.3 |
| 2014-02-01 | 3.4 | 1.8 | 1.3 |
| 2014-03-01 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 1.2 |
| 2014-04-01 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 1.3 |
| 2014-05-01 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 1.2 |
| 2014-06-01 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 1.3 |
| 2014-07-01 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.3 |
| 2014-08-01 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 1.2 |
| 2014-09-01 | 3.7 | 2.0 | 1.2 |
| 2014-10-01 | 3.7 | 1.9 | 1.3 |
| 2014-11-01 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.2 |
| 2014-12-01 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 1.3 |
| 2015-01-01 | 3.6 | 2.0 | 1.3 |
| 2015-02-01 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.2 |
| 2015-03-01 | 3.6 | 2.0 | 1.4 |
| 2015-04-01 | 3.7 | 1.9 | 1.3 |
| 2015-05-01 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.2 |
| 2015-06-01 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.3 |
| 2015-07-01 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.2 |
| 2015-08-01 | 3.6 | 2.0 | 1.2 |
| 2015-09-01 | 3.7 | 2.0 | 1.4 |
| 2015-10-01 | 3.7 | 2.0 | 1.3 |
| 2015-11-01 | 3.8 | 2.0 | 1.2 |
| 2015-12-01 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| 2016-01-01 | 3.6 | 2.0 | 1.3 |
| 2016-02-01 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| 2016-03-01 | 3.7 | 2.0 | 1.3 |
| 2016-04-01 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| 2016-05-01 | 3.6 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| 2016-06-01 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| 2016-07-01 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| 2016-08-01 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| 2016-09-01 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.1 |
| 2016-10-01 | 3.6 | 2.1 | 1.1 |
| 2016-11-01 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| 2016-12-01 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| 2017-01-01 | 3.8 | 2.2 | 1.2 |
| 2017-02-01 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| 2017-03-01 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 1.2 |
| 2017-04-01 | 3.6 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| 2017-05-01 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| 2017-06-01 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 1.3 |
| 2017-07-01 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| 2017-08-01 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| 2017-09-01 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 1.3 |
| 2017-10-01 | 3.8 | 2.2 | 1.2 |
| 2017-11-01 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| 2017-12-01 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 1.1 |
| 2018-01-01 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
| 2018-02-01 | 3.8 | 2.2 | 1.2 |
| 2018-03-01 | 3.8 | 2.2 | 1.2 |
| 2018-04-01 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| 2018-05-01 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| 2018-06-01 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| 2018-07-01 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| 2018-08-01 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| 2018-09-01 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| 2018-10-01 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| 2018-11-01 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.3 |
| 2018-12-01 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| 2019-01-01 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.1 |
| 2019-02-01 | 3.8 | 2.4 | 1.2 |
| 2019-03-01 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.1 |
| 2019-04-01 | 4.0 | 2.3 | 1.3 |
| 2019-05-01 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| 2019-06-01 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| 2019-07-01 | 4.0 | 2.4 | 1.2 |
| 2019-08-01 | 3.9 | 2.4 | 1.2 |
| 2019-09-01 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.3 |
| 2019-10-01 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| 2019-11-01 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| 2019-12-01 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.3 |
| 2020-01-01 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| 2020-02-01 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 1.3 |
| 2020-03-01 | 3.4 | 1.9 | 8.6 |
| 2020-04-01 | 3.0 | 1.6 | 7.2 |
| 2020-05-01 | 6.2 | 1.7 | 1.6 |
| 2020-06-01 | 5.6 | 1.9 | 1.6 |
| 2020-07-01 | 4.5 | 2.3 | 1.3 |
| 2020-08-01 | 4.6 | 2.1 | 1.1 |
| 2020-09-01 | 4.2 | 2.3 | 1.1 |
| 2020-10-01 | 4.2 | 2.4 | 1.2 |
| 2020-11-01 | 4.2 | 2.3 | 1.5 |
| 2020-12-01 | 3.8 | 2.4 | 1.3 |
| 2021-01-01 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| 2021-02-01 | 4.0 | 2.4 | 1.2 |
| 2021-03-01 | 4.2 | 2.5 | 1.1 |
| 2021-04-01 | 4.2 | 2.8 | 1.0 |
| 2021-05-01 | 4.2 | 2.5 | 0.9 |
| 2021-06-01 | 4.7 | 2.7 | 0.9 |
| 2021-07-01 | 4.6 | 2.7 | 1.0 |
| 2021-08-01 | 4.4 | 2.9 | 0.9 |
| 2021-09-01 | 4.4 | 3.0 | 0.9 |
Notes: Shaded areas denote recessions. The hires rate is the number of hires during the entire month as a percent of total employment. The layoff rate is the number of layoffs and discharges during the entire month as a percent of total employment. The quits rate is the number of quits during the entire month as a percent of total employment.
Source: EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey
Total hires, layoffs, and quits, 2000-2021
| Date | Hires | Quits | Layoffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-12-01 | 5,426 | 2,882 | 2,018 |
| 2001-01-01 | 5,722 | 3,245 | 2,220 |
| 2001-02-01 | 5,303 | 3,053 | 1,855 |
| 2001-03-01 | 5,528 | 3,054 | 2,133 |
| 2001-04-01 | 5,204 | 3,163 | 1,883 |
| 2001-05-01 | 5,410 | 2,993 | 2,029 |
| 2001-06-01 | 5,109 | 2,878 | 2,015 |
| 2001-07-01 | 5,244 | 2,947 | 2,038 |
| 2001-08-01 | 5,223 | 2,928 | 2,011 |
| 2001-09-01 | 4,954 | 2,703 | 2,107 |
| 2001-10-01 | 5,078 | 2,795 | 2,319 |
| 2001-11-01 | 4,914 | 2,560 | 2,255 |
| 2001-12-01 | 4,829 | 2,559 | 1,922 |
| 2002-01-01 | 4,855 | 2,845 | 1,907 |
| 2002-02-01 | 4,801 | 2,572 | 1,978 |
| 2002-03-01 | 4,706 | 2,493 | 1,883 |
| 2002-04-01 | 4,928 | 2,624 | 1,956 |
| 2002-05-01 | 4,857 | 2,537 | 1,967 |
| 2002-06-01 | 4,869 | 2,522 | 2,015 |
| 2002-07-01 | 4,946 | 2,561 | 2,102 |
| 2002-08-01 | 4,871 | 2,561 | 1,923 |
| 2002-09-01 | 4,879 | 2,521 | 2,022 |
| 2002-10-01 | 4,798 | 2,423 | 1,935 |
| 2002-11-01 | 4,792 | 2,403 | 1,944 |
| 2002-12-01 | 4,893 | 2,501 | 2,007 |
| 2003-01-01 | 5,058 | 2,429 | 2,109 |
| 2003-02-01 | 4,714 | 2,490 | 2,015 |
| 2003-03-01 | 4,470 | 2,394 | 1,949 |
| 2003-04-01 | 4,600 | 2,279 | 1,998 |
| 2003-05-01 | 4,678 | 2,291 | 2,072 |
| 2003-06-01 | 4,682 | 2,315 | 2,076 |
| 2003-07-01 | 4,639 | 2,271 | 2,062 |
| 2003-08-01 | 4,666 | 2,195 | 2,162 |
| 2003-09-01 | 4,799 | 2,354 | 1,932 |
| 2003-10-01 | 4,902 | 2,415 | 1,969 |
| 2003-11-01 | 4,767 | 2,411 | 1,951 |
| 2003-12-01 | 4,984 | 2,444 | 2,007 |
| 2004-01-01 | 4,900 | 2,354 | 2,037 |
| 2004-02-01 | 4,788 | 2,448 | 1,985 |
| 2004-03-01 | 5,227 | 2,582 | 2,065 |
| 2004-04-01 | 5,152 | 2,534 | 2,010 |
| 2004-05-01 | 4,976 | 2,428 | 1,914 |
| 2004-06-01 | 5,009 | 2,659 | 1,887 |
| 2004-07-01 | 4,891 | 2,609 | 1,885 |
| 2004-08-01 | 5,013 | 2,586 | 1,974 |
| 2004-09-01 | 5,062 | 2,531 | 2,027 |
| 2004-10-01 | 5,149 | 2,550 | 1,903 |
| 2004-11-01 | 5,181 | 2,789 | 2,037 |
| 2004-12-01 | 5,153 | 2,695 | 1,951 |
| 2005-01-01 | 5,201 | 2,732 | 2,008 |
| 2005-02-01 | 5,276 | 2,651 | 2,068 |
| 2005-03-01 | 5,273 | 2,747 | 2,188 |
| 2005-04-01 | 5,362 | 2,741 | 1,957 |
| 2005-05-01 | 5,271 | 2,763 | 2,021 |
| 2005-06-01 | 5,376 | 2,754 | 2,015 |
| 2005-07-01 | 5,328 | 2,735 | 1,898 |
| 2005-08-01 | 5,409 | 2,957 | 1,905 |
| 2005-09-01 | 5,493 | 3,046 | 2,032 |
| 2005-10-01 | 5,124 | 2,863 | 1,873 |
| 2005-11-01 | 5,344 | 2,895 | 1,769 |
| 2005-12-01 | 5,294 | 2,849 | 1,923 |
| 2006-01-01 | 5,271 | 2,945 | 1,784 |
| 2006-02-01 | 5,474 | 2,965 | 1,882 |
| 2006-03-01 | 5,524 | 2,956 | 1,888 |
| 2006-04-01 | 5,215 | 2,778 | 1,853 |
| 2006-05-01 | 5,498 | 3,002 | 1,991 |
| 2006-06-01 | 5,455 | 3,042 | 1,817 |
| 2006-07-01 | 5,573 | 3,047 | 1,860 |
| 2006-08-01 | 5,373 | 3,056 | 1,775 |
| 2006-09-01 | 5,288 | 2,888 | 1,831 |
| 2006-10-01 | 5,375 | 2,983 | 1,898 |
| 2006-11-01 | 5,495 | 3,043 | 1,926 |
| 2006-12-01 | 5,214 | 2,999 | 1,772 |
| 2007-01-01 | 5,426 | 2,956 | 1,922 |
| 2007-02-01 | 5,160 | 2,933 | 1,850 |
| 2007-03-01 | 5,479 | 2,997 | 1,882 |
| 2007-04-01 | 5,353 | 2,911 | 2,000 |
| 2007-05-01 | 5,469 | 3,010 | 1,967 |
| 2007-06-01 | 5,267 | 2,910 | 1,845 |
| 2007-07-01 | 5,217 | 2,951 | 1,896 |
| 2007-08-01 | 5,358 | 3,014 | 2,033 |
| 2007-09-01 | 5,344 | 2,691 | 2,188 |
| 2007-10-01 | 5,398 | 2,926 | 1,998 |
| 2007-11-01 | 5,176 | 2,784 | 1,966 |
| 2007-12-01 | 5,119 | 2,773 | 1,915 |
| 2008-01-01 | 5,071 | 2,847 | 1,989 |
| 2008-02-01 | 5,077 | 2,881 | 1,995 |
| 2008-03-01 | 4,924 | 2,661 | 1,918 |
| 2008-04-01 | 4,948 | 2,837 | 1,958 |
| 2008-05-01 | 4,691 | 2,607 | 1,950 |
| 2008-06-01 | 4,893 | 2,595 | 2,172 |
| 2008-07-01 | 4,637 | 2,489 | 2,071 |
| 2008-08-01 | 4,682 | 2,445 | 2,190 |
| 2008-09-01 | 4,499 | 2,468 | 2,088 |
| 2008-10-01 | 4,548 | 2,347 | 2,250 |
| 2008-11-01 | 4,104 | 2,157 | 2,290 |
| 2008-12-01 | 4,348 | 2,084 | 2,482 |
| 2009-01-01 | 4,095 | 1,976 | 2,581 |
| 2009-02-01 | 4,061 | 1,952 | 2,599 |
| 2009-03-01 | 3,858 | 1,834 | 2,575 |
| 2009-04-01 | 3,888 | 1,712 | 2,654 |
| 2009-05-01 | 3,758 | 1,683 | 2,231 |
| 2009-06-01 | 3,639 | 1,685 | 2,261 |
| 2009-07-01 | 3,857 | 1,685 | 2,267 |
| 2009-08-01 | 3,810 | 1,555 | 2,119 |
| 2009-09-01 | 3,944 | 1,627 | 2,195 |
| 2009-10-01 | 3,838 | 1,660 | 2,028 |
| 2009-11-01 | 4,024 | 1,810 | 1,913 |
| 2009-12-01 | 4,004 | 1,766 | 2,033 |
| 2010-01-01 | 3,904 | 1,742 | 1,880 |
| 2010-02-01 | 3,864 | 1,844 | 1,825 |
| 2010-03-01 | 4,302 | 1,856 | 1,924 |
| 2010-04-01 | 4,159 | 1,897 | 1,749 |
| 2010-05-01 | 4,420 | 1,813 | 1,762 |
| 2010-06-01 | 4,111 | 1,911 | 2,075 |
| 2010-07-01 | 4,163 | 1,785 | 2,166 |
| 2010-08-01 | 4,046 | 1,842 | 1,890 |
| 2010-09-01 | 4,034 | 1,895 | 1,832 |
| 2010-10-01 | 4,173 | 1,846 | 1,745 |
| 2010-11-01 | 4,182 | 1,887 | 1,849 |
| 2010-12-01 | 4,299 | 1,977 | 1,854 |
| 2011-01-01 | 4,000 | 1,832 | 1,827 |
| 2011-02-01 | 4,231 | 1,958 | 1,755 |
| 2011-03-01 | 4,430 | 2,033 | 1,794 |
| 2011-04-01 | 4,296 | 1,882 | 1,792 |
| 2011-05-01 | 4,261 | 1,965 | 1,904 |
| 2011-06-01 | 4,366 | 1,923 | 1,942 |
| 2011-07-01 | 4,261 | 1,986 | 1,845 |
| 2011-08-01 | 4,298 | 2,031 | 1,845 |
| 2011-09-01 | 4,429 | 2,041 | 1,872 |
| 2011-10-01 | 4,370 | 1,997 | 1,794 |
| 2011-11-01 | 4,365 | 2,039 | 1,912 |
| 2011-12-01 | 4,356 | 1,981 | 1,801 |
| 2012-01-01 | 4,457 | 2,030 | 1,797 |
| 2012-02-01 | 4,560 | 2,130 | 1,903 |
| 2012-03-01 | 4,575 | 2,167 | 1,784 |
| 2012-04-01 | 4,389 | 2,134 | 1,880 |
| 2012-05-01 | 4,533 | 2,138 | 1,969 |
| 2012-06-01 | 4,440 | 2,152 | 1,892 |
| 2012-07-01 | 4,327 | 2,072 | 1,722 |
| 2012-08-01 | 4,450 | 2,069 | 1,894 |
| 2012-09-01 | 4,302 | 1,950 | 1,805 |
| 2012-10-01 | 4,389 | 2,035 | 1,891 |
| 2012-11-01 | 4,489 | 2,078 | 1,921 |
| 2012-12-01 | 4,452 | 2,051 | 1,700 |
| 2013-01-01 | 4,487 | 2,280 | 1,678 |
| 2013-02-01 | 4,571 | 2,298 | 1,664 |
| 2013-03-01 | 4,369 | 2,124 | 1,787 |
| 2013-04-01 | 4,572 | 2,296 | 1,793 |
| 2013-05-01 | 4,663 | 2,234 | 1,836 |
| 2013-06-01 | 4,440 | 2,203 | 1,761 |
| 2013-07-01 | 4,561 | 2,363 | 1,713 |
| 2013-08-01 | 4,730 | 2,316 | 1,816 |
| 2013-09-01 | 4,726 | 2,302 | 1,892 |
| 2013-10-01 | 4,518 | 2,372 | 1,675 |
| 2013-11-01 | 4,622 | 2,391 | 1,630 |
| 2013-12-01 | 4,614 | 2,287 | 1,770 |
| 2014-01-01 | 4,626 | 2,311 | 1,806 |
| 2014-02-01 | 4,696 | 2,411 | 1,767 |
| 2014-03-01 | 4,763 | 2,449 | 1,703 |
| 2014-04-01 | 4,880 | 2,474 | 1,764 |
| 2014-05-01 | 4,808 | 2,483 | 1,710 |
| 2014-06-01 | 4,925 | 2,507 | 1,761 |
| 2014-07-01 | 5,008 | 2,633 | 1,781 |
| 2014-08-01 | 4,810 | 2,549 | 1,699 |
| 2014-09-01 | 5,149 | 2,732 | 1,718 |
| 2014-10-01 | 5,111 | 2,718 | 1,835 |
| 2014-11-01 | 4,978 | 2,600 | 1,726 |
| 2014-12-01 | 5,192 | 2,552 | 1,857 |
| 2015-01-01 | 5,061 | 2,764 | 1,789 |
| 2015-02-01 | 5,127 | 2,741 | 1,757 |
| 2015-03-01 | 5,126 | 2,754 | 1,973 |
| 2015-04-01 | 5,196 | 2,705 | 1,856 |
| 2015-05-01 | 5,142 | 2,743 | 1,711 |
| 2015-06-01 | 5,125 | 2,756 | 1,821 |
| 2015-07-01 | 5,150 | 2,764 | 1,703 |
| 2015-08-01 | 5,163 | 2,879 | 1,773 |
| 2015-09-01 | 5,287 | 2,778 | 1,964 |
| 2015-10-01 | 5,338 | 2,810 | 1,845 |
| 2015-11-01 | 5,358 | 2,897 | 1,779 |
| 2015-12-01 | 5,540 | 3,056 | 1,803 |
| 2016-01-01 | 5,220 | 2,875 | 1,805 |
| 2016-02-01 | 5,470 | 2,994 | 1,894 |
| 2016-03-01 | 5,359 | 2,917 | 1,850 |
| 2016-04-01 | 5,294 | 2,955 | 1,771 |
| 2016-05-01 | 5,197 | 3,009 | 1,825 |
| 2016-06-01 | 5,281 | 3,018 | 1,750 |
| 2016-07-01 | 5,426 | 2,967 | 1,759 |
| 2016-08-01 | 5,327 | 2,998 | 1,860 |
| 2016-09-01 | 5,306 | 3,047 | 1,588 |
| 2016-10-01 | 5,210 | 3,074 | 1,664 |
| 2016-11-01 | 5,308 | 3,026 | 1,751 |
| 2016-12-01 | 5,343 | 2,989 | 1,708 |
| 2017-01-01 | 5,497 | 3,166 | 1,738 |
| 2017-02-01 | 5,345 | 3,085 | 1,714 |
| 2017-03-01 | 5,394 | 3,145 | 1,759 |
| 2017-04-01 | 5,309 | 3,028 | 1,705 |
| 2017-05-01 | 5,477 | 3,125 | 1,804 |
| 2017-06-01 | 5,664 | 3,166 | 1,935 |
| 2017-07-01 | 5,508 | 3,107 | 1,858 |
| 2017-08-01 | 5,571 | 3,109 | 1,919 |
| 2017-09-01 | 5,409 | 3,214 | 1,885 |
| 2017-10-01 | 5,605 | 3,177 | 1,835 |
| 2017-11-01 | 5,463 | 3,166 | 1,740 |
| 2017-12-01 | 5,424 | 3,194 | 1,676 |
| 2018-01-01 | 5,459 | 3,034 | 1,994 |
| 2018-02-01 | 5,633 | 3,200 | 1,758 |
| 2018-03-01 | 5,636 | 3,305 | 1,783 |
| 2018-04-01 | 5,610 | 3,366 | 1,741 |
| 2018-05-01 | 5,865 | 3,401 | 1,767 |
| 2018-06-01 | 5,777 | 3,401 | 1,793 |
| 2018-07-01 | 5,707 | 3,444 | 1,791 |
| 2018-08-01 | 5,863 | 3,476 | 1,838 |
| 2018-09-01 | 5,616 | 3,424 | 1,778 |
| 2018-10-01 | 5,876 | 3,460 | 1,824 |
| 2018-11-01 | 5,815 | 3,435 | 1,905 |
| 2018-12-01 | 5,709 | 3,381 | 1,824 |
| 2019-01-01 | 5,741 | 3,521 | 1,689 |
| 2019-02-01 | 5,668 | 3,543 | 1,769 |
| 2019-03-01 | 5,684 | 3,524 | 1,721 |
| 2019-04-01 | 6,051 | 3,494 | 1,954 |
| 2019-05-01 | 5,719 | 3,487 | 1,776 |
| 2019-06-01 | 5,776 | 3,527 | 1,771 |
| 2019-07-01 | 5,987 | 3,627 | 1,826 |
| 2019-08-01 | 5,907 | 3,591 | 1,825 |
| 2019-09-01 | 5,970 | 3,449 | 1,982 |
| 2019-10-01 | 5,799 | 3,414 | 1,793 |
| 2019-11-01 | 5,842 | 3,482 | 1,788 |
| 2019-12-01 | 5,882 | 3,487 | 1,952 |
| 2020-01-01 | 5,974 | 3,568 | 1,788 |
| 2020-02-01 | 5,979 | 3,430 | 1,953 |
| 2020-03-01 | 5,132 | 2,902 | 13,046 |
| 2020-04-01 | 3,942 | 2,107 | 9,307 |
| 2020-05-01 | 8,272 | 2,206 | 2,096 |
| 2020-06-01 | 7,697 | 2,646 | 2,204 |
| 2020-07-01 | 6,237 | 3,182 | 1,845 |
| 2020-08-01 | 6,431 | 2,987 | 1,573 |
| 2020-09-01 | 5,932 | 3,307 | 1,555 |
| 2020-10-01 | 6,035 | 3,352 | 1,728 |
| 2020-11-01 | 6,019 | 3,296 | 2,123 |
| 2020-12-01 | 5,411 | 3,407 | 1,823 |
| 2021-01-01 | 5,465 | 3,306 | 1,724 |
| 2021-02-01 | 5,794 | 3,383 | 1,723 |
| 2021-03-01 | 6,006 | 3,568 | 1,525 |
| 2021-04-01 | 6,012 | 3,992 | 1,450 |
| 2021-05-01 | 6,022 | 3,630 | 1,353 |
| 2021-06-01 | 6,827 | 3,870 | 1,354 |
| 2021-07-01 | 6,761 | 4,028 | 1,423 |
| 2021-08-01 | 6,497 | 4,270 | 1,385 |
| 2021-09-01 | 6,459 | 4,434 | 1,375 |
Note: Shaded areas denote recessions.
Source: EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey
The job-seekers ratio, 2000–2021
| Date | job seekers ratio, imputed |
|---|---|
| 2000-12-01 | 1.15 |
| 2001-01-01 | 1.16 |
| 2001-02-01 | 1.20 |
| 2001-03-01 | 1.30 |
| 2001-04-01 | 1.35 |
| 2001-05-01 | 1.44 |
| 2001-06-01 | 1.50 |
| 2001-07-01 | 1.53 |
| 2001-08-01 | 1.76 |
| 2001-09-01 | 1.82 |
| 2001-10-01 | 2.12 |
| 2001-11-01 | 2.15 |
| 2001-12-01 | 2.24 |
| 2002-01-01 | 2.22 |
| 2002-02-01 | 2.40 |
| 2002-03-01 | 2.34 |
| 2002-04-01 | 2.45 |
| 2002-05-01 | 2.43 |
| 2002-06-01 | 2.46 |
| 2002-07-01 | 2.48 |
| 2002-08-01 | 2.35 |
| 2002-09-01 | 2.51 |
| 2002-10-01 | 2.42 |
| 2002-11-01 | 2.44 |
| 2002-12-01 | 2.71 |
| 2003-01-01 | 2.49 |
| 2003-02-01 | 2.66 |
| 2003-03-01 | 2.81 |
| 2003-04-01 | 2.86 |
| 2003-05-01 | 2.77 |
| 2003-06-01 | 2.70 |
| 2003-07-01 | 3.00 |
| 2003-08-01 | 2.79 |
| 2003-09-01 | 2.86 |
| 2003-10-01 | 2.62 |
| 2003-11-01 | 2.54 |
| 2003-12-01 | 2.44 |
| 2004-01-01 | 2.41 |
| 2004-02-01 | 2.36 |
| 2004-03-01 | 2.36 |
| 2004-04-01 | 2.33 |
| 2004-05-01 | 2.22 |
| 2004-06-01 | 2.46 |
| 2004-07-01 | 2.11 |
| 2004-08-01 | 2.25 |
| 2004-09-01 | 2.09 |
| 2004-10-01 | 2.03 |
| 2004-11-01 | 2.28 |
| 2004-12-01 | 1.93 |
| 2005-01-01 | 2.07 |
| 2005-02-01 | 1.98 |
| 2005-03-01 | 1.91 |
| 2005-04-01 | 1.84 |
| 2005-05-01 | 2.00 |
| 2005-06-01 | 1.84 |
| 2005-07-01 | 1.73 |
| 2005-08-01 | 1.80 |
| 2005-09-01 | 1.72 |
| 2005-10-01 | 1.79 |
| 2005-11-01 | 1.75 |
| 2005-12-01 | 1.67 |
| 2006-01-01 | 1.62 |
| 2006-02-01 | 1.65 |
| 2006-03-01 | 1.50 |
| 2006-04-01 | 1.47 |
| 2006-05-01 | 1.57 |
| 2006-06-01 | 1.54 |
| 2006-07-01 | 1.62 |
| 2006-08-01 | 1.48 |
| 2006-09-01 | 1.43 |
| 2006-10-01 | 1.48 |
| 2006-11-01 | 1.47 |
| 2006-12-01 | 1.50 |
| 2007-01-01 | 1.47 |
| 2007-02-01 | 1.45 |
| 2007-03-01 | 1.37 |
| 2007-04-01 | 1.45 |
| 2007-05-01 | 1.48 |
| 2007-06-01 | 1.45 |
| 2007-07-01 | 1.55 |
| 2007-08-01 | 1.57 |
| 2007-09-01 | 1.55 |
| 2007-10-01 | 1.56 |
| 2007-11-01 | 1.60 |
| 2007-12-01 | 1.69 |
| 2008-01-01 | 1.64 |
| 2008-02-01 | 1.79 |
| 2008-03-01 | 1.83 |
| 2008-04-01 | 1.99 |
| 2008-05-01 | 2.02 |
| 2008-06-01 | 2.29 |
| 2008-07-01 | 2.45 |
| 2008-08-01 | 2.58 |
| 2008-09-01 | 3.04 |
| 2008-10-01 | 3.05 |
| 2008-11-01 | 3.38 |
| 2008-12-01 | 3.71 |
| 2009-01-01 | 4.56 |
| 2009-02-01 | 4.60 |
| 2009-03-01 | 5.38 |
| 2009-04-01 | 6.18 |
| 2009-05-01 | 5.73 |
| 2009-06-01 | 5.85 |
| 2009-07-01 | 6.59 |
| 2009-08-01 | 6.38 |
| 2009-09-01 | 6.10 |
| 2009-10-01 | 6.35 |
| 2009-11-01 | 6.06 |
| 2009-12-01 | 5.87 |
| 2010-01-01 | 5.32 |
| 2010-02-01 | 5.69 |
| 2010-03-01 | 5.70 |
| 2010-04-01 | 4.78 |
| 2010-05-01 | 4.91 |
| 2010-06-01 | 5.17 |
| 2010-07-01 | 4.73 |
| 2010-08-01 | 4.87 |
| 2010-09-01 | 4.99 |
| 2010-10-01 | 4.57 |
| 2010-11-01 | 4.58 |
| 2010-12-01 | 4.64 |
| 2011-01-01 | 4.48 |
| 2011-02-01 | 4.27 |
| 2011-03-01 | 4.25 |
| 2011-04-01 | 4.27 |
| 2011-05-01 | 4.38 |
| 2011-06-01 | 4.01 |
| 2011-07-01 | 3.81 |
| 2011-08-01 | 4.17 |
| 2011-09-01 | 3.65 |
| 2011-10-01 | 3.72 |
| 2011-11-01 | 3.70 |
| 2011-12-01 | 3.44 |
| 2012-01-01 | 3.28 |
| 2012-02-01 | 3.53 |
| 2012-03-01 | 3.19 |
| 2012-04-01 | 3.34 |
| 2012-05-01 | 3.31 |
| 2012-06-01 | 3.24 |
| 2012-07-01 | 3.36 |
| 2012-08-01 | 3.23 |
| 2012-09-01 | 3.12 |
| 2012-10-01 | 3.20 |
| 2012-11-01 | 3.13 |
| 2012-12-01 | 3.12 |
| 2013-01-01 | 3.11 |
| 2013-02-01 | 2.95 |
| 2013-03-01 | 2.88 |
| 2013-04-01 | 2.94 |
| 2013-05-01 | 2.82 |
| 2013-06-01 | 2.78 |
| 2013-07-01 | 2.91 |
| 2013-08-01 | 2.76 |
| 2013-09-01 | 2.71 |
| 2013-10-01 | 2.60 |
| 2013-11-01 | 2.57 |
| 2013-12-01 | 2.50 |
| 2014-01-01 | 2.49 |
| 2014-02-01 | 2.37 |
| 2014-03-01 | 2.29 |
| 2014-04-01 | 2.14 |
| 2014-05-01 | 2.03 |
| 2014-06-01 | 1.91 |
| 2014-07-01 | 1.98 |
| 2014-08-01 | 1.76 |
| 2014-09-01 | 1.86 |
| 2014-10-01 | 1.80 |
| 2014-11-01 | 1.84 |
| 2014-12-01 | 1.72 |
| 2015-01-01 | 1.64 |
| 2015-02-01 | 1.57 |
| 2015-03-01 | 1.64 |
| 2015-04-01 | 1.55 |
| 2015-05-01 | 1.54 |
| 2015-06-01 | 1.56 |
| 2015-07-01 | 1.33 |
| 2015-08-01 | 1.45 |
| 2015-09-01 | 1.44 |
| 2015-10-01 | 1.38 |
| 2015-11-01 | 1.39 |
| 2015-12-01 | 1.33 |
| 2016-01-01 | 1.27 |
| 2016-02-01 | 1.36 |
| 2016-03-01 | 1.31 |
| 2016-04-01 | 1.35 |
| 2016-05-01 | 1.33 |
| 2016-06-01 | 1.34 |
| 2016-07-01 | 1.29 |
| 2016-08-01 | 1.39 |
| 2016-09-01 | 1.34 |
| 2016-10-01 | 1.37 |
| 2016-11-01 | 1.26 |
| 2016-12-01 | 1.26 |
| 2017-01-01 | 1.31 |
| 2017-02-01 | 1.22 |
| 2017-03-01 | 1.23 |
| 2017-04-01 | 1.16 |
| 2017-05-01 | 1.19 |
| 2017-06-01 | 1.08 |
| 2017-07-01 | 1.12 |
| 2017-08-01 | 1.10 |
| 2017-09-01 | 1.07 |
| 2017-10-01 | 1.05 |
| 2017-11-01 | 1.07 |
| 2017-12-01 | 1.03 |
| 2018-01-01 | 0.99 |
| 2018-02-01 | 0.99 |
| 2018-03-01 | 0.95 |
| 2018-04-01 | 0.92 |
| 2018-05-01 | 0.90 |
| 2018-06-01 | 0.86 |
| 2018-07-01 | 0.85 |
| 2018-08-01 | 0.85 |
| 2018-09-01 | 0.83 |
| 2018-10-01 | 0.84 |
| 2018-11-01 | 0.82 |
| 2018-12-01 | 0.86 |
| 2019-01-01 | 0.84 |
| 2019-02-01 | 0.87 |
| 2019-03-01 | 0.83 |
| 2019-04-01 | 0.82 |
| 2019-05-01 | 0.82 |
| 2019-06-01 | 0.83 |
| 2019-07-01 | 0.84 |
| 2019-08-01 | 0.82 |
| 2019-09-01 | 0.82 |
| 2019-10-01 | 0.81 |
| 2019-11-01 | 0.85 |
| 2019-12-01 | 0.86 |
| 2020-01-01 | 0.80 |
| 2020-02-01 | 0.92 |
| 2020-03-01 | 2.63 |
| 2020-04-01 | 4.76 |
| 2020-05-01 | 3.55 |
| 2020-06-01 | 2.78 |
| 2020-07-01 | 2.22 |
| 2020-08-01 | 2.02 |
| 2020-09-01 | 1.78 |
| 2020-10-01 | 1.58 |
| 2020-11-01 | 1.59 |
| 2020-12-01 | 1.55 |
| 2021-01-01 | 1.42 |
| 2021-02-01 | 1.31 |
| 2021-03-01 | 1.18 |
| 2021-04-01 | 1.04 |
| 2021-05-01 | 0.99 |
| 2021-06-01 | 0.89 |
| 2021-07-01 | 0.77 |
| 2021-08-01 | 0.76 |
| 2021-09-01 | 0.72 |
Notes: Shaded areas denote recessions. Unemployment levels represent the average of the unemployment level for the current month and the subsequent month in the Current Population Survey to better line up with the job openings data from the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey.
Source: EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey and Current Population Survey
Job openings levels and unemployment levels, 2000–2021
| Date | Openings | Unemployment, two-month average |
|---|---|---|
| 2000-12-01 | 5,088 | 5,829 |
| 2001-01-01 | 5,234 | 6,056 |
| 2001-02-01 | 5,097 | 6,115 |
| 2001-03-01 | 4,762 | 6,206 |
| 2001-04-01 | 4,615 | 6,249 |
| 2001-05-01 | 4,425 | 6,355 |
| 2001-06-01 | 4,361 | 6,534 |
| 2001-07-01 | 4,447 | 6,813 |
| 2001-08-01 | 4,024 | 7,092 |
| 2001-09-01 | 4,071 | 7,418 |
| 2001-10-01 | 3,707 | 7,849 |
| 2001-11-01 | 3,775 | 8,131 |
| 2001-12-01 | 3,677 | 8,220 |
| 2002-01-01 | 3,699 | 8,199 |
| 2002-02-01 | 3,436 | 8,260 |
| 2002-03-01 | 3,612 | 8,452 |
| 2002-04-01 | 3,471 | 8,499 |
| 2002-05-01 | 3,457 | 8,396 |
| 2002-06-01 | 3,412 | 8,392 |
| 2002-07-01 | 3,367 | 8,347 |
| 2002-08-01 | 3,517 | 8,278 |
| 2002-09-01 | 3,301 | 8,279 |
| 2002-10-01 | 3,479 | 8,414 |
| 2002-11-01 | 3,514 | 8,580 |
| 2002-12-01 | 3,169 | 8,580 |
| 2003-01-01 | 3,441 | 8,569 |
| 2003-02-01 | 3,229 | 8,603 |
| 2003-03-01 | 3,099 | 8,715 |
| 2003-04-01 | 3,108 | 8,900 |
| 2003-05-01 | 3,289 | 9,112 |
| 2003-06-01 | 3,390 | 9,139 |
| 2003-07-01 | 2,981 | 8,954 |
| 2003-08-01 | 3,190 | 8,909 |
| 2003-09-01 | 3,091 | 8,827 |
| 2003-10-01 | 3,305 | 8,654 |
| 2003-11-01 | 3,324 | 8,447 |
| 2003-12-01 | 3,414 | 8,344 |
| 2004-01-01 | 3,424 | 8,269 |
| 2004-02-01 | 3,532 | 8,329 |
| 2004-03-01 | 3,525 | 8,331 |
| 2004-04-01 | 3,511 | 8,191 |
| 2004-05-01 | 3,710 | 8,249 |
| 2004-06-01 | 3,337 | 8,211 |
| 2004-07-01 | 3,814 | 8,063 |
| 2004-08-01 | 3,541 | 7,959 |
| 2004-09-01 | 3,821 | 7,994 |
| 2004-10-01 | 3,943 | 7,997 |
| 2004-11-01 | 3,472 | 7,933 |
| 2004-12-01 | 4,074 | 7,859 |
| 2005-01-01 | 3,804 | 7,882 |
| 2005-02-01 | 3,965 | 7,859 |
| 2005-03-01 | 4,044 | 7,705 |
| 2005-04-01 | 4,159 | 7,662 |
| 2005-05-01 | 3,797 | 7,588 |
| 2005-06-01 | 4,062 | 7,465 |
| 2005-07-01 | 4,256 | 7,376 |
| 2005-08-01 | 4,142 | 7,449 |
| 2005-09-01 | 4,352 | 7,503 |
| 2005-10-01 | 4,184 | 7,510 |
| 2005-11-01 | 4,248 | 7,423 |
| 2005-12-01 | 4,282 | 7,172 |
| 2006-01-01 | 4,397 | 7,124 |
| 2006-02-01 | 4,325 | 7,128 |
| 2006-03-01 | 4,732 | 7,096 |
| 2006-04-01 | 4,790 | 7,050 |
| 2006-05-01 | 4,463 | 6,991 |
| 2006-06-01 | 4,614 | 7,088 |
| 2006-07-01 | 4,394 | 7,133 |
| 2006-08-01 | 4,710 | 6,969 |
| 2006-09-01 | 4,737 | 6,787 |
| 2006-10-01 | 4,591 | 6,800 |
| 2006-11-01 | 4,645 | 6,817 |
| 2006-12-01 | 4,620 | 6,939 |
| 2007-01-01 | 4,763 | 7,022 |
| 2007-02-01 | 4,699 | 6,829 |
| 2007-03-01 | 4,962 | 6,791 |
| 2007-04-01 | 4,689 | 6,808 |
| 2007-05-01 | 4,657 | 6,873 |
| 2007-06-01 | 4,859 | 7,064 |
| 2007-07-01 | 4,598 | 7,108 |
| 2007-08-01 | 4,546 | 7,119 |
| 2007-09-01 | 4,652 | 7,204 |
| 2007-10-01 | 4,636 | 7,239 |
| 2007-11-01 | 4,646 | 7,443 |
| 2007-12-01 | 4,545 | 7,665 |
| 2008-01-01 | 4,624 | 7,591 |
| 2008-02-01 | 4,279 | 7,660 |
| 2008-03-01 | 4,225 | 7,730 |
| 2008-04-01 | 4,035 | 8,016 |
| 2008-05-01 | 4,194 | 8,485 |
| 2008-06-01 | 3,830 | 8,756 |
| 2008-07-01 | 3,749 | 9,188 |
| 2008-08-01 | 3,674 | 9,466 |
| 2008-09-01 | 3,222 | 9,784 |
| 2008-10-01 | 3,377 | 10,306 |
| 2008-11-01 | 3,231 | 10,912 |
| 2008-12-01 | 3,146 | 11,672 |
| 2009-01-01 | 2,738 | 12,478 |
| 2009-02-01 | 2,864 | 13,162 |
| 2009-03-01 | 2,534 | 13,640 |
| 2009-04-01 | 2,295 | 14,176 |
| 2009-05-01 | 2,549 | 14,603 |
| 2009-06-01 | 2,503 | 14,654 |
| 2009-07-01 | 2,232 | 14,708 |
| 2009-08-01 | 2,338 | 14,912 |
| 2009-09-01 | 2,487 | 15,181 |
| 2009-10-01 | 2,406 | 15,286 |
| 2009-11-01 | 2,503 | 15,159 |
| 2009-12-01 | 2,568 | 15,072 |
| 2010-01-01 | 2,837 | 15,080 |
| 2010-02-01 | 2,666 | 15,158 |
| 2010-03-01 | 2,679 | 15,264 |
| 2010-04-01 | 3,153 | 15,087 |
| 2010-05-01 | 2,988 | 14,662 |
| 2010-06-01 | 2,801 | 14,493 |
| 2010-07-01 | 3,082 | 14,580 |
| 2010-08-01 | 2,999 | 14,614 |
| 2010-09-01 | 2,918 | 14,548 |
| 2010-10-01 | 3,235 | 14,799 |
| 2010-11-01 | 3,211 | 14,715 |
| 2010-12-01 | 3,058 | 14,181 |
| 2011-01-01 | 3,104 | 13,917 |
| 2011-02-01 | 3,226 | 13,779 |
| 2011-03-01 | 3,261 | 13,847 |
| 2011-04-01 | 3,259 | 13,906 |
| 2011-05-01 | 3,179 | 13,909 |
| 2011-06-01 | 3,455 | 13,863 |
| 2011-07-01 | 3,623 | 13,791 |
| 2011-08-01 | 3,329 | 13,883 |
| 2011-09-01 | 3,774 | 13,771 |
| 2011-10-01 | 3,619 | 13,448 |
| 2011-11-01 | 3,565 | 13,198 |
| 2011-12-01 | 3,768 | 12,945 |
| 2012-01-01 | 3,909 | 12,805 |
| 2012-02-01 | 3,616 | 12,763 |
| 2012-03-01 | 3,979 | 12,680 |
| 2012-04-01 | 3,793 | 12,653 |
| 2012-05-01 | 3,835 | 12,676 |
| 2012-06-01 | 3,911 | 12,674 |
| 2012-07-01 | 3,735 | 12,564 |
| 2012-08-01 | 3,809 | 12,293 |
| 2012-09-01 | 3,882 | 12,120 |
| 2012-10-01 | 3,775 | 12,065 |
| 2012-11-01 | 3,878 | 12,152 |
| 2012-12-01 | 3,970 | 12,385 |
| 2013-01-01 | 3,923 | 12,211 |
| 2013-02-01 | 4,004 | 11,820 |
| 2013-03-01 | 4,076 | 11,725 |
| 2013-04-01 | 3,988 | 11,707 |
| 2013-05-01 | 4,145 | 11,703 |
| 2013-06-01 | 4,150 | 11,543 |
| 2013-07-01 | 3,885 | 11,307 |
| 2013-08-01 | 4,085 | 11,275 |
| 2013-09-01 | 4,128 | 11,203 |
| 2013-10-01 | 4,222 | 10,962 |
| 2013-11-01 | 4,119 | 10,596 |
| 2013-12-01 | 4,121 | 10,303 |
| 2014-01-01 | 4,127 | 10,276 |
| 2014-02-01 | 4,373 | 10,365 |
| 2014-03-01 | 4,388 | 10,041 |
| 2014-04-01 | 4,566 | 9,781 |
| 2014-05-01 | 4,747 | 9,660 |
| 2014-06-01 | 4,982 | 9,534 |
| 2014-07-01 | 4,846 | 9,604 |
| 2014-08-01 | 5,349 | 9,431 |
| 2014-09-01 | 4,914 | 9,126 |
| 2014-10-01 | 5,012 | 9,040 |
| 2014-11-01 | 4,843 | 8,904 |
| 2014-12-01 | 5,130 | 8,801 |
| 2015-01-01 | 5,344 | 8,742 |
| 2015-02-01 | 5,466 | 8,557 |
| 2015-03-01 | 5,210 | 8,533 |
| 2015-04-01 | 5,598 | 8,692 |
| 2015-05-01 | 5,563 | 8,541 |
| 2015-06-01 | 5,248 | 8,207 |
| 2015-07-01 | 6,056 | 8,080 |
| 2015-08-01 | 5,467 | 7,950 |
| 2015-09-01 | 5,488 | 7,915 |
| 2015-10-01 | 5,773 | 7,961 |
| 2015-11-01 | 5,708 | 7,954 |
| 2015-12-01 | 5,845 | 7,767 |
| 2016-01-01 | 6,012 | 7,665 |
| 2016-02-01 | 5,770 | 7,832 |
| 2016-03-01 | 6,129 | 8,014 |
| 2016-04-01 | 5,803 | 7,860 |
| 2016-05-01 | 5,777 | 7,698 |
| 2016-06-01 | 5,742 | 7,693 |
| 2016-07-01 | 5,962 | 7,713 |
| 2016-08-01 | 5,677 | 7,869 |
| 2016-09-01 | 5,868 | 7,882 |
| 2016-10-01 | 5,591 | 7,682 |
| 2016-11-01 | 5,971 | 7,537 |
| 2016-12-01 | 5,964 | 7,494 |
| 2017-01-01 | 5,646 | 7,421 |
| 2017-02-01 | 5,931 | 7,248 |
| 2017-03-01 | 5,813 | 7,158 |
| 2017-04-01 | 6,103 | 7,108 |
| 2017-05-01 | 5,810 | 6,941 |
| 2017-06-01 | 6,334 | 6,843 |
| 2017-07-01 | 6,203 | 6,952 |
| 2017-08-01 | 6,300 | 6,960 |
| 2017-09-01 | 6,279 | 6,730 |
| 2017-10-01 | 6,380 | 6,690 |
| 2017-11-01 | 6,282 | 6,696 |
| 2017-12-01 | 6,359 | 6,564 |
| 2018-01-01 | 6,601 | 6,543 |
| 2018-02-01 | 6,586 | 6,545 |
| 2018-03-01 | 6,833 | 6,525 |
| 2018-04-01 | 6,910 | 6,380 |
| 2018-05-01 | 6,987 | 6,321 |
| 2018-06-01 | 7,271 | 6,281 |
| 2018-07-01 | 7,209 | 6,149 |
| 2018-08-01 | 7,204 | 6,102 |
| 2018-09-01 | 7,352 | 6,101 |
| 2018-10-01 | 7,295 | 6,140 |
| 2018-11-01 | 7,574 | 6,247 |
| 2018-12-01 | 7,436 | 6,411 |
| 2019-01-01 | 7,478 | 6,285 |
| 2019-02-01 | 7,058 | 6,165 |
| 2019-03-01 | 7,332 | 6,098 |
| 2019-04-01 | 7,257 | 5,980 |
| 2019-05-01 | 7,279 | 5,940 |
| 2019-06-01 | 7,165 | 5,942 |
| 2019-07-01 | 7,137 | 5,985 |
| 2019-08-01 | 7,150 | 5,864 |
| 2019-09-01 | 7,100 | 5,825 |
| 2019-10-01 | 7,340 | 5,915 |
| 2019-11-01 | 6,915 | 5,876 |
| 2019-12-01 | 6,730 | 5,820 |
| 2020-01-01 | 7,154 | 5,757 |
| 2020-02-01 | 7,012 | 6,451 |
| 2020-03-01 | 5,769 | 15,147 |
| 2020-04-01 | 4,630 | 22,042 |
| 2020-05-01 | 5,447 | 19,336 |
| 2020-06-01 | 6,112 | 17,003 |
| 2020-07-01 | 6,717 | 14,925 |
| 2020-08-01 | 6,451 | 13,039 |
| 2020-09-01 | 6,611 | 11,792 |
| 2020-10-01 | 6,873 | 10,889 |
| 2020-11-01 | 6,766 | 10,732 |
| 2020-12-01 | 6,752 | 10,433 |
| 2021-01-01 | 7,099 | 10,051 |
| 2021-02-01 | 7,526 | 9,841 |
| 2021-03-01 | 8,288 | 9,761 |
| 2021-04-01 | 9,193 | 9,564 |
| 2021-05-01 | 9,483 | 9,400 |
| 2021-06-01 | 10,185 | 9,093 |
| 2021-07-01 | 11,098 | 8,543 |
| 2021-08-01 | 10,629 | 8,029 |
| 2021-09-01 | 10,438 | 7,547 |
Notes: Shaded areas denote recessions. Unemployment levels represent the average of the unemployment level for the current month and the subsequent month in the Current Population Survey to better line up with the job openings data from the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey.
Source: EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey and Current Population Survey. Unemployment levels represent the average of the unemployment level for the current month and the subsequent month to better line up with the job openings data.
Unemployment and job openings by industry (in thousands), September 2021
| Industry | Unemployment, three-month average | Job openings, three-month average | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational services | 267.3 | 179.3 | 1.5 |
| Mining | 62.0 | 41.7 | 1.5 |
| Construction | 494.7 | 359.0 | 1.4 |
| Arts, entertainment, and recreation | 197.0 | 212.0 | 0.9 |
| Transportation and utilities | 490.3 | 569.3 | 0.9 |
| Retail trade | 1028.0 | 1274.0 | 0.8 |
| Government | 704.7 | 970.0 | 0.7 |
| Other services | 308.0 | 461.0 | 0.7 |
| Finance and Insurance | 204.7 | 312.3 | 0.7 |
| Durable goods manufacturing | 344.7 | 528.7 | 0.7 |
| Accommodation and food services | 959.3 | 1568.3 | 0.6 |
| Nondurable goods manufacturing | 232.0 | 391.7 | 0.6 |
| Information | 117.3 | 205.7 | 0.6 |
| Wholesale trade | 147.7 | 290.7 | 0.5 |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 82.7 | 164.7 | 0.5 |
| Professional and business services | 845.3 | 1885.3 | 0.4 |
| Health care and social assistance | 705.3 | 1693.3 | 0.4 |
Notes: Unemployment levels represent the average of the unemployment level for the current month and the subsequent month in the Current Population Survey to better line up with the job openings data from the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. Both unemployment data and job openings data are then averaged over three months to smooth for better data reliability. These data are non-seasonally adjusted so caution is warranted when making comparisons across time.
Source: EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey and Current Population Survey.
