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).
August
Next update: October 12, 2021
• September 08, 2021
Below, EPI senior economist Elise Gould offers her initial insights on today’s release of the Jobs and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) for July. Read the full Twitter thread here.
Hires ticked down slightly in July but remains up 645k since May. Total separations rose for two months running due to an increase in both layoffs and quits. Quits are high by historical standards as workers may be concerned about rising covid cases or are finding better jobs. pic.twitter.com/H1likO3kS6
— Elise Gould (@eliselgould) September 8, 2021
Using the last three months of data by sector to smooth data volatility, it’s clear that there are still many sectors with more unemployed workers than job openings. To be clear, these comparisons only include those who are in the official measure of unemployment. pic.twitter.com/r6C1aR3NX1
— Elise Gould (@eliselgould) September 8, 2021
#JOLTS provides a different picture of the labor market, with its data on job openings, hires, quits, and layoffs, but it is decidedly a bit out of date as fast changing as the recovery and pandemic has been the last year and a half. https://t.co/zBNnd11mGR
— Elise Gould (@eliselgould) September 8, 2021
Quick reminders about the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS):
- JOLTS data provide information on all pieces that go into the net change in the number of jobs. These components include hires, layoffs, voluntary quits, and other job separations (which includes retirements and worker deaths). Putting those components together reveals the overall (or net) change.
- JOLTS data provide information about the end of one month to the end of the next, whereas the monthly employment numbers provide information from the middle of one month to the middle of the next.
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 | 4.5 | 2.7 | 1.0 |
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 | 6,667 | 3,977 | 1,459 |
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 | 0.78 |
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 | 10,934 | 8,543 |
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), July 2021
| Industry | Unemployment, three-month average | Job openings, three-month average | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mining | 67.3 | 32.0 | 2.1 |
| Construction | 654.7 | 346.3 | 1.9 |
| Educational services | 291.3 | 196.7 | 1.5 |
| Arts, entertainment, and recreation | 254.7 | 224.3 | 1.1 |
| Transportation and utilities | 529.3 | 467.7 | 1.1 |
| Information | 157.7 | 161.3 | 1.0 |
| Retail trade | 1,107.7 | 1,142.0 | 1.0 |
| Durable goods manufacturing | 451.7 | 513.3 | 0.9 |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 116.0 | 135.0 | 0.9 |
| Other services | 334.0 | 463.3 | 0.7 |
| Accommodation and food services | 1,085.0 | 1,560.7 | 0.7 |
| Finance and Insurance | 193.3 | 289.3 | 0.7 |
| Government | 685.3 | 1,041.3 | 0.7 |
| Nondurable goods manufacturing | 252.0 | 413.7 | 0.6 |
| Professional and business services | 927.7 | 1,731.7 | 0.5 |
| Wholesale trade | 144.0 | 286.0 | 0.5 |
| Health care and social assistance | 701.3 | 1,591.3 | 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.
