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).
Key numbers • April 2021
1.03
Job seekers ratio • The number of unemployed persons per job opening
278 thousand
Excess unemployed • The number of unemployed persons in excess of the number job openings
April
Next update: July 2021
• June 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 April. Read the full Twitter thread here.
Job openings increased most in accommodations and food services (+349,000) and hiring also increased in accommodation and food services (+232,000) a good indication that supply of workers was beginning to respond to demand in April.
2/— Elise Gould (@eliselgould) June 8, 2021
Today’s JOLTS report also finds a series high quits rate of 2.7% while layoffs are now a series low of 1.0%. High quits mean workers feel comfortable leaving their jobs in search of better matches. Low layoffs are an obvious good. The economic recovery is gaining momentum.
4/ pic.twitter.com/4WzBYwOJdg— Elise Gould (@eliselgould) June 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 | 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 | 2.2 | 1.5 |
| 2001-08-01 | 4 | 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 | 1.7 |
| 2001-12-01 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.5 |
| 2002-01-01 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 1.5 |
| 2002-02-01 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.5 |
| 2002-03-01 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.4 |
| 2002-04-01 | 3.8 | 2 | 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 | 1.6 |
| 2002-08-01 | 3.7 | 2 | 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 | 2 | 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 | 1.4 |
| 2004-07-01 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.4 |
| 2004-08-01 | 3.8 | 2 | 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 | 1.5 |
| 2005-01-01 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| 2005-02-01 | 4 | 2 | 1.6 |
| 2005-03-01 | 4 | 2.1 | 1.6 |
| 2005-04-01 | 4 | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| 2005-05-01 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| 2005-06-01 | 4 | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| 2005-07-01 | 4 | 2 | 1.4 |
| 2005-08-01 | 4 | 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 | 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 | 2.2 | 1.4 |
| 2006-03-01 | 4.1 | 2.2 | 1.4 |
| 2006-04-01 | 3.8 | 2 | 1.4 |
| 2006-05-01 | 4 | 2.2 | 1.5 |
| 2006-06-01 | 4 | 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 | 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 | 2.2 | 1.4 |
| 2007-04-01 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| 2007-05-01 | 4 | 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 | 1.4 |
| 2007-12-01 | 3.7 | 2 | 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 | 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 | 1.5 | 1.9 |
| 2009-03-01 | 2.9 | 1.4 | 1.9 |
| 2009-04-01 | 2.9 | 1.3 | 2 |
| 2009-05-01 | 2.9 | 1.3 | 1.7 |
| 2009-06-01 | 2.8 | 1.3 | 1.7 |
| 2009-07-01 | 3 | 1.3 | 1.7 |
| 2009-08-01 | 2.9 | 1.2 | 1.6 |
| 2009-09-01 | 3 | 1.2 | 1.7 |
| 2009-10-01 | 3 | 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 | 1.3 | 1.4 |
| 2010-02-01 | 3 | 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 | 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 | 1.3 |
| 2015-02-01 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.2 |
| 2015-03-01 | 3.6 | 2 | 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 | 1.2 |
| 2015-09-01 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.4 |
| 2015-10-01 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.3 |
| 2015-11-01 | 3.8 | 2 | 1.2 |
| 2015-12-01 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| 2016-01-01 | 3.6 | 2 | 1.3 |
| 2016-02-01 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| 2016-03-01 | 3.7 | 2 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 2.4 | 1.2 |
| 2021-03-01 | 4.2 | 2.5 | 1.1 |
| 2021-04-01 | 4.2 | 2.7 | 1 |
Notes: Shaded areas denote recessions. The hires rate is the number of hires during the entire month as a percent of total employment. The layoff rate is the number of layoffs and discharges during the entire month as a percent of total employment. The quits rate is the number of quits during the entire month as a percent of total employment.
Source: EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey
Total hires, layoffs, and quits, 2000-2021
| 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 | 6,075 | 3,952 | 1,444 |
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 | Unemployed job seekers per job opening |
|---|---|
| 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 | 1.03 |
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 | 9,286 | 9,564 |
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), April 2021
| Industry | Unemployment, three-month average | Job openings, three-month average | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mining | 109.7 | 24.7 | 4.4 |
| Construction | 841.3 | 326.7 | 2.6 |
| Educational services | 200.0 | 125.0 | 1.6 |
| Information | 160.7 | 104.7 | 1.5 |
| Transportation and utilities | 594.0 | 398.7 | 1.5 |
| Arts, entertainment, and recreation | 324.0 | 225.7 | 1.4 |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 133.3 | 93.3 | 1.4 |
| Retail trade | 1118.0 | 845.3 | 1.3 |
| Other services | 433.0 | 328.0 | 1.3 |
| Durable goods manufacturing | 451.7 | 386.0 | 1.2 |
| Accommodation and food services | 1232.3 | 1097.7 | 1.1 |
| Nondurable goods manufacturing | 337.0 | 342.7 | 1.0 |
| Professional and business services | 1118.3 | 1467.0 | 0.8 |
| Finance and Insurance | 200.3 | 275.3 | 0.7 |
| Wholesale trade | 189.0 | 270.7 | 0.7 |
| Government | 562.3 | 816.0 | 0.7 |
| Health care and social assistance | 694.3 | 1413.0 | 0.5 |
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.
