Economic Indicators JOLTS
The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) tells us how many job openings there are each month, how many workers were hired, how many quit their job, how many were laid off, and how many experienced other separations (which includes worker deaths).
August
Next update: November 1, 2022
• October 4, 2022
Below, EPI senior economist Elise Gould offers her initial insights on today’s release of the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) for August. Read the full Twitter thread here.
Other topline indicators in the #JOLTS report saw little to no change in August. The hires rate was unchanged as separations ticked up slightly, due in part to a mild increase in the layoffs and discharges rate while the quits rate held steady. pic.twitter.com/X1XvupoAZX
— Elise Gould (@eliselgould) October 4, 2022
While quits rose in accommodations and food services, all sectors—including that one—experienced greater hires than quits in August. Hiring continues to outpace quits in every major sector as workers seek and find new jobs. pic.twitter.com/kKGxmVf1AF
— Elise Gould (@eliselgould) October 4, 2022
The drop in job openings is the big story today, but remember that we’ve already seen the data on net job growth for August and it was strong, with 315,000 jobs added and an increase in labor force participation.https://t.co/wC7Ev51Lkt
— Elise Gould (@eliselgould) October 4, 2022
As always, these surveys exhibit a fair amount of month to month volatility, but @hshierholz puts today’s data in context and shows just how much churn has come down since their peak levels of openings, hires, and quits in the pandemic labor market.https://t.co/M9Q0QfH8Q8
— Elise Gould (@eliselgould) October 4, 2022
Hires, quits, and layoff rates, 2000–2022
| Date | Hires | Quits | Layoffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec-2000 | 4.1 | 2.2 | 1.5 |
| Jan-2001 | 4.3 | 2.4 | 1.7 |
| Feb-2001 | 4 | 2.3 | 1.4 |
| Mar-2001 | 4.2 | 2.3 | 1.6 |
| Apr-2001 | 3.9 | 2.4 | 1.4 |
| May-2001 | 4.1 | 2.3 | 1.5 |
| Jun-2001 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 1.5 |
| Jul-2001 | 4 | 2.2 | 1.5 |
| Aug-2001 | 4 | 2.2 | 1.5 |
| Sep-2001 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.6 |
| Oct-2001 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.8 |
| Nov-2001 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.7 |
| Dec-2001 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.5 |
| Jan-2002 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 1.5 |
| Feb-2002 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.5 |
| Mar-2002 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.4 |
| Apr-2002 | 3.8 | 2 | 1.5 |
| May-2002 | 3.7 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| Jun-2002 | 3.7 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| Jul-2002 | 3.8 | 2 | 1.6 |
| Aug-2002 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.5 |
| Sep-2002 | 3.7 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| Oct-2002 | 3.7 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| Nov-2002 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 1.5 |
| Dec-2002 | 3.7 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| Jan-2003 | 3.9 | 1.9 | 1.6 |
| Feb-2003 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| Mar-2003 | 3.4 | 1.8 | 1.5 |
| Apr-2003 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 1.5 |
| May-2003 | 3.6 | 1.8 | 1.6 |
| Jun-2003 | 3.6 | 1.8 | 1.6 |
| Jul-2003 | 3.6 | 1.7 | 1.6 |
| Aug-2003 | 3.6 | 1.7 | 1.7 |
| Sep-2003 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 1.5 |
| Oct-2003 | 3.8 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| Nov-2003 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 1.5 |
| Dec-2003 | 3.8 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| Jan-2004 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 1.6 |
| Feb-2004 | 3.7 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| Mar-2004 | 4 | 2 | 1.6 |
| Apr-2004 | 3.9 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| May-2004 | 3.8 | 1.8 | 1.5 |
| Jun-2004 | 3.8 | 2 | 1.4 |
| Jul-2004 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.4 |
| Aug-2004 | 3.8 | 2 | 1.5 |
| Sep-2004 | 3.8 | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| Oct-2004 | 3.9 | 1.9 | 1.4 |
| Nov-2004 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| Dec-2004 | 3.9 | 2 | 1.5 |
| Jan-2005 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| Feb-2005 | 4 | 2 | 1.6 |
| Mar-2005 | 4 | 2.1 | 1.6 |
| Apr-2005 | 4 | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| May-2005 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| Jun-2005 | 4 | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| Jul-2005 | 4 | 2 | 1.4 |
| Aug-2005 | 4 | 2.2 | 1.4 |
| Sep-2005 | 4.1 | 2.3 | 1.5 |
| Oct-2005 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
| Nov-2005 | 4 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| Dec-2005 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
| Jan-2006 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 1.3 |
| Feb-2006 | 4 | 2.2 | 1.4 |
| Mar-2006 | 4.1 | 2.2 | 1.4 |
| Apr-2006 | 3.8 | 2 | 1.4 |
| May-2006 | 4 | 2.2 | 1.5 |
| Jun-2006 | 4 | 2.2 | 1.3 |
| Jul-2006 | 4.1 | 2.2 | 1.4 |
| Aug-2006 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 1.3 |
| Sep-2006 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| Oct-2006 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 1.4 |
| Nov-2006 | 4 | 2.2 | 1.4 |
| Dec-2006 | 3.8 | 2.2 | 1.3 |
| Jan-2007 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
| Feb-2007 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| Mar-2007 | 4 | 2.2 | 1.4 |
| Apr-2007 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| May-2007 | 4 | 2.2 | 1.4 |
| Jun-2007 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| Jul-2007 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
| Aug-2007 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 1.5 |
| Sep-2007 | 3.9 | 1.9 | 1.6 |
| Oct-2007 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
| Nov-2007 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.4 |
| Dec-2007 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.4 |
| Jan-2008 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
| Feb-2008 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
| Mar-2008 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.4 |
| Apr-2008 | 3.6 | 2.1 | 1.4 |
| May-2008 | 3.4 | 1.9 | 1.4 |
| Jun-2008 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.6 |
| Jul-2008 | 3.4 | 1.8 | 1.5 |
| Aug-2008 | 3.4 | 1.8 | 1.6 |
| Sep-2008 | 3.3 | 1.8 | 1.5 |
| Oct-2008 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 1.7 |
| Nov-2008 | 3 | 1.6 | 1.7 |
| Dec-2008 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 1.8 |
| Jan-2009 | 3.1 | 1.5 | 1.9 |
| Feb-2009 | 3 | 1.5 | 1.9 |
| Mar-2009 | 2.9 | 1.4 | 1.9 |
| Apr-2009 | 2.9 | 1.3 | 2 |
| May-2009 | 2.9 | 1.3 | 1.7 |
| Jun-2009 | 2.8 | 1.3 | 1.7 |
| Jul-2009 | 3 | 1.3 | 1.7 |
| Aug-2009 | 2.9 | 1.2 | 1.6 |
| Sep-2009 | 3 | 1.2 | 1.7 |
| Oct-2009 | 3 | 1.3 | 1.6 |
| Nov-2009 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 1.5 |
| Dec-2009 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 1.6 |
| Jan-2010 | 3 | 1.3 | 1.4 |
| Feb-2010 | 3 | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| Mar-2010 | 3.3 | 1.4 | 1.5 |
| Apr-2010 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 1.3 |
| May-2010 | 3.4 | 1.4 | 1.3 |
| Jun-2010 | 3.1 | 1.5 | 1.6 |
| Jul-2010 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 1.7 |
| Aug-2010 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| Sep-2010 | 3.1 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| Oct-2010 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 1.3 |
| Nov-2010 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| Dec-2010 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| Jan-2011 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| Feb-2011 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 1.3 |
| Mar-2011 | 3.4 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| Apr-2011 | 3.3 | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| May-2011 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| Jun-2011 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Jul-2011 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| Aug-2011 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| Sep-2011 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| Oct-2011 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| Nov-2011 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| Dec-2011 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| Jan-2012 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.3 |
| Feb-2012 | 3.4 | 1.6 | 1.4 |
| Mar-2012 | 3.4 | 1.6 | 1.3 |
| Apr-2012 | 3.3 | 1.6 | 1.4 |
| May-2012 | 3.4 | 1.6 | 1.5 |
| Jun-2012 | 3.3 | 1.6 | 1.4 |
| Jul-2012 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 1.3 |
| Aug-2012 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| Sep-2012 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 1.3 |
| Oct-2012 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| Nov-2012 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| Dec-2012 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.3 |
| Jan-2013 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 1.2 |
| Feb-2013 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 1.2 |
| Mar-2013 | 3.2 | 1.6 | 1.3 |
| Apr-2013 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 1.3 |
| May-2013 | 3.4 | 1.6 | 1.3 |
| Jun-2013 | 3.3 | 1.6 | 1.3 |
| Jul-2013 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 1.3 |
| Aug-2013 | 3.5 | 1.7 | 1.3 |
| Sep-2013 | 3.5 | 1.7 | 1.4 |
| Oct-2013 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 1.2 |
| Nov-2013 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 1.2 |
| Dec-2013 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 1.3 |
| Jan-2014 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 1.3 |
| Feb-2014 | 3.4 | 1.8 | 1.3 |
| Mar-2014 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 1.2 |
| Apr-2014 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 1.3 |
| May-2014 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 1.2 |
| Jun-2014 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 1.3 |
| Jul-2014 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.3 |
| Aug-2014 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 1.2 |
| Sep-2014 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.2 |
| Oct-2014 | 3.7 | 1.9 | 1.3 |
| Nov-2014 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.2 |
| Dec-2014 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 1.3 |
| Jan-2015 | 3.6 | 2 | 1.3 |
| Feb-2015 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.2 |
| Mar-2015 | 3.6 | 2 | 1.4 |
| Apr-2015 | 3.7 | 1.9 | 1.3 |
| May-2015 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.2 |
| Jun-2015 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.3 |
| Jul-2015 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.2 |
| Aug-2015 | 3.6 | 2 | 1.2 |
| Sep-2015 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.4 |
| Oct-2015 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.3 |
| Nov-2015 | 3.8 | 2 | 1.2 |
| Dec-2015 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| Jan-2016 | 3.6 | 2 | 1.3 |
| Feb-2016 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| Mar-2016 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.3 |
| Apr-2016 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| May-2016 | 3.6 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| Jun-2016 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| Jul-2016 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| Aug-2016 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| Sep-2016 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.1 |
| Oct-2016 | 3.6 | 2.1 | 1.1 |
| Nov-2016 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| Dec-2016 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| Jan-2017 | 3.8 | 2.2 | 1.2 |
| Feb-2017 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| Mar-2017 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 1.2 |
| Apr-2017 | 3.6 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| May-2017 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| Jun-2017 | 3.8 | 2.2 | 1.3 |
| Jul-2017 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| Aug-2017 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| Sep-2017 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 1.2 |
| Oct-2017 | 3.8 | 2.2 | 1.2 |
| Nov-2017 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 1.2 |
| Dec-2017 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 1.2 |
| Jan-2018 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| Feb-2018 | 3.8 | 2.2 | 1.2 |
| Mar-2018 | 3.8 | 2.2 | 1.2 |
| Apr-2018 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| May-2018 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| Jun-2018 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| Jul-2018 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| Aug-2018 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| Sep-2018 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| Oct-2018 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| Nov-2018 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.3 |
| Dec-2018 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| Jan-2019 | 3.8 | 2.4 | 1.2 |
| Feb-2019 | 3.8 | 2.4 | 1.2 |
| Mar-2019 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.1 |
| Apr-2019 | 4 | 2.3 | 1.3 |
| May-2019 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| Jun-2019 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| Jul-2019 | 3.9 | 2.4 | 1.2 |
| Aug-2019 | 3.9 | 2.4 | 1.2 |
| Sep-2019 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.3 |
| Oct-2019 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| Nov-2019 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| Dec-2019 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 1.3 |
| Jan-2020 | 3.9 | 2.4 | 1.2 |
| Feb-2020 | 4 | 2.3 | 1.3 |
| Mar-2020 | 3.5 | 2 | 8.6 |
| Apr-2020 | 3.1 | 1.6 | 7 |
| May-2020 | 6.1 | 1.7 | 1.6 |
| Jun-2020 | 5.4 | 1.9 | 1.7 |
| Jul-2020 | 4.5 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| Aug-2020 | 4.3 | 2.1 | 1.1 |
| Sep-2020 | 4.2 | 2.2 | 1.1 |
| Oct-2020 | 4.3 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| Nov-2020 | 4.1 | 2.3 | 1.5 |
| Dec-2020 | 4 | 2.4 | 1.4 |
| Jan-2021 | 4 | 2.3 | 1.1 |
| Feb-2021 | 4.2 | 2.4 | 1.1 |
| Mar-2021 | 4.3 | 2.6 | 1 |
| Apr-2021 | 4.2 | 2.8 | 1 |
| May-2021 | 4.2 | 2.6 | 0.9 |
| Jun-2021 | 4.4 | 2.8 | 0.9 |
| Jul-2021 | 4.5 | 2.8 | 1 |
| Aug-2021 | 4.3 | 2.8 | 1 |
| Sep-2021 | 4.4 | 2.9 | 1 |
| Oct-2021 | 4.4 | 2.8 | 0.9 |
| Nov-2021 | 4.5 | 3 | 0.9 |
| Dec-2021 | 4.3 | 3 | 0.8 |
| Jan-2022 | 4.3 | 2.8 | 0.9 |
| Feb-2022 | 4.5 | 2.9 | 0.9 |
| Mar-2022 | 4.4 | 2.9 | 0.9 |
| Apr-2022 | 4.3 | 2.9 | 0.9 |
| May-2022 | 4.3 | 2.8 | 0.9 |
| Jun-2022 | 4.2 | 2.8 | 0.9 |
| Jul-2022 | 4.1 | 2.7 | 0.9 |
| Aug-2022 | 4.1 | 2.7 | 1.0 |
Notes: Shaded areas denote recessions. The hires rate is the number of hires during the entire month as a percent of total employment. The layoff rate is the number of layoffs and discharges during the entire month as a percent of total employment. The quits rate is the number of quits during the entire month as a percent of total employment.
Source: EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey
Total hires, layoffs, and quits, 2000-2022
| Date | Hires | Quits | Layoffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec-2000 | 5,426 | 2,882 | 2,018 |
| Jan-2001 | 5,722 | 3,245 | 2,220 |
| Feb-2001 | 5,303 | 3,053 | 1,855 |
| Mar-2001 | 5,528 | 3,054 | 2,133 |
| Apr-2001 | 5,204 | 3,163 | 1,883 |
| May-2001 | 5,410 | 2,993 | 2,029 |
| Jun-2001 | 5,109 | 2,878 | 2,015 |
| Jul-2001 | 5,244 | 2,947 | 2,038 |
| Aug-2001 | 5,223 | 2,928 | 2,011 |
| Sep-2001 | 4,954 | 2,703 | 2,107 |
| Oct-2001 | 5,078 | 2,795 | 2,319 |
| Nov-2001 | 4,914 | 2,560 | 2,255 |
| Dec-2001 | 4,829 | 2,559 | 1,922 |
| Jan-2002 | 4,855 | 2,845 | 1,907 |
| Feb-2002 | 4,801 | 2,572 | 1,978 |
| Mar-2002 | 4,706 | 2,493 | 1,883 |
| Apr-2002 | 4,928 | 2,624 | 1,956 |
| May-2002 | 4,857 | 2,537 | 1,967 |
| Jun-2002 | 4,869 | 2,522 | 2,015 |
| Jul-2002 | 4,946 | 2,561 | 2,102 |
| Aug-2002 | 4,871 | 2,561 | 1,923 |
| Sep-2002 | 4,879 | 2,521 | 2,022 |
| Oct-2002 | 4,798 | 2,423 | 1,935 |
| Nov-2002 | 4,792 | 2,403 | 1,944 |
| Dec-2002 | 4,893 | 2,501 | 2,007 |
| Jan-2003 | 5,058 | 2,429 | 2,109 |
| Feb-2003 | 4,714 | 2,490 | 2,015 |
| Mar-2003 | 4,470 | 2,394 | 1,949 |
| Apr-2003 | 4,600 | 2,279 | 1,998 |
| May-2003 | 4,678 | 2,291 | 2,072 |
| Jun-2003 | 4,682 | 2,315 | 2,076 |
| Jul-2003 | 4,639 | 2,271 | 2,062 |
| Aug-2003 | 4,666 | 2,195 | 2,162 |
| Sep-2003 | 4,799 | 2,354 | 1,932 |
| Oct-2003 | 4,902 | 2,415 | 1,969 |
| Nov-2003 | 4,767 | 2,411 | 1,951 |
| Dec-2003 | 4,984 | 2,444 | 2,007 |
| Jan-2004 | 4,900 | 2,354 | 2,037 |
| Feb-2004 | 4,788 | 2,448 | 1,985 |
| Mar-2004 | 5,227 | 2,582 | 2,065 |
| Apr-2004 | 5,152 | 2,534 | 2,010 |
| May-2004 | 4,976 | 2,428 | 1,914 |
| Jun-2004 | 5,009 | 2,659 | 1,887 |
| Jul-2004 | 4,891 | 2,609 | 1,885 |
| Aug-2004 | 5,013 | 2,586 | 1,974 |
| Sep-2004 | 5,062 | 2,531 | 2,027 |
| Oct-2004 | 5,149 | 2,550 | 1,903 |
| Nov-2004 | 5,181 | 2,789 | 2,037 |
| Dec-2004 | 5,153 | 2,695 | 1,951 |
| Jan-2005 | 5,201 | 2,732 | 2,008 |
| Feb-2005 | 5,276 | 2,651 | 2,068 |
| Mar-2005 | 5,273 | 2,747 | 2,188 |
| Apr-2005 | 5,362 | 2,741 | 1,957 |
| May-2005 | 5,271 | 2,763 | 2,021 |
| Jun-2005 | 5,376 | 2,754 | 2,015 |
| Jul-2005 | 5,328 | 2,735 | 1,898 |
| Aug-2005 | 5,409 | 2,957 | 1,905 |
| Sep-2005 | 5,493 | 3,046 | 2,032 |
| Oct-2005 | 5,124 | 2,863 | 1,873 |
| Nov-2005 | 5,344 | 2,895 | 1,769 |
| Dec-2005 | 5,294 | 2,849 | 1,923 |
| Jan-2006 | 5,271 | 2,945 | 1,784 |
| Feb-2006 | 5,474 | 2,965 | 1,882 |
| Mar-2006 | 5,524 | 2,956 | 1,888 |
| Apr-2006 | 5,215 | 2,778 | 1,853 |
| May-2006 | 5,498 | 3,002 | 1,991 |
| Jun-2006 | 5,455 | 3,042 | 1,817 |
| Jul-2006 | 5,573 | 3,047 | 1,860 |
| Aug-2006 | 5,373 | 3,056 | 1,775 |
| Sep-2006 | 5,288 | 2,888 | 1,831 |
| Oct-2006 | 5,375 | 2,983 | 1,898 |
| Nov-2006 | 5,495 | 3,043 | 1,926 |
| Dec-2006 | 5,214 | 2,999 | 1,772 |
| Jan-2007 | 5,426 | 2,956 | 1,922 |
| Feb-2007 | 5,160 | 2,933 | 1,850 |
| Mar-2007 | 5,479 | 2,997 | 1,882 |
| Apr-2007 | 5,353 | 2,911 | 2,000 |
| May-2007 | 5,469 | 3,010 | 1,967 |
| Jun-2007 | 5,267 | 2,910 | 1,845 |
| Jul-2007 | 5,217 | 2,951 | 1,896 |
| Aug-2007 | 5,358 | 3,014 | 2,033 |
| Sep-2007 | 5,344 | 2,691 | 2,188 |
| Oct-2007 | 5,398 | 2,926 | 1,998 |
| Nov-2007 | 5,176 | 2,784 | 1,966 |
| Dec-2007 | 5,119 | 2,773 | 1,915 |
| Jan-2008 | 5,071 | 2,847 | 1,989 |
| Feb-2008 | 5,077 | 2,881 | 1,995 |
| Mar-2008 | 4,924 | 2,661 | 1,918 |
| Apr-2008 | 4,948 | 2,837 | 1,958 |
| May-2008 | 4,691 | 2,607 | 1,950 |
| Jun-2008 | 4,893 | 2,595 | 2,172 |
| Jul-2008 | 4,637 | 2,489 | 2,071 |
| Aug-2008 | 4,682 | 2,445 | 2,190 |
| Sep-2008 | 4,499 | 2,468 | 2,088 |
| Oct-2008 | 4,548 | 2,347 | 2,250 |
| Nov-2008 | 4,104 | 2,157 | 2,290 |
| Dec-2008 | 4,348 | 2,084 | 2,482 |
| Jan-2009 | 4,095 | 1,976 | 2,581 |
| Feb-2009 | 4,061 | 1,952 | 2,599 |
| Mar-2009 | 3,858 | 1,834 | 2,575 |
| Apr-2009 | 3,888 | 1,712 | 2,654 |
| May-2009 | 3,758 | 1,683 | 2,231 |
| Jun-2009 | 3,639 | 1,685 | 2,261 |
| Jul-2009 | 3,857 | 1,685 | 2,267 |
| Aug-2009 | 3,810 | 1,555 | 2,119 |
| Sep-2009 | 3,944 | 1,627 | 2,195 |
| Oct-2009 | 3,838 | 1,660 | 2,028 |
| Nov-2009 | 4,024 | 1,810 | 1,913 |
| Dec-2009 | 4,004 | 1,766 | 2,033 |
| Jan-2010 | 3,904 | 1,742 | 1,880 |
| Feb-2010 | 3,864 | 1,844 | 1,825 |
| Mar-2010 | 4,302 | 1,856 | 1,924 |
| Apr-2010 | 4,159 | 1,897 | 1,749 |
| May-2010 | 4,420 | 1,813 | 1,762 |
| Jun-2010 | 4,111 | 1,911 | 2,075 |
| Jul-2010 | 4,163 | 1,785 | 2,166 |
| Aug-2010 | 4,046 | 1,842 | 1,890 |
| Sep-2010 | 4,034 | 1,895 | 1,832 |
| Oct-2010 | 4,173 | 1,846 | 1,745 |
| Nov-2010 | 4,182 | 1,887 | 1,849 |
| Dec-2010 | 4,299 | 1,977 | 1,854 |
| Jan-2011 | 4,000 | 1,832 | 1,827 |
| Feb-2011 | 4,231 | 1,958 | 1,755 |
| Mar-2011 | 4,430 | 2,033 | 1,794 |
| Apr-2011 | 4,296 | 1,882 | 1,792 |
| May-2011 | 4,261 | 1,965 | 1,904 |
| Jun-2011 | 4,366 | 1,923 | 1,942 |
| Jul-2011 | 4,261 | 1,986 | 1,845 |
| Aug-2011 | 4,298 | 2,031 | 1,845 |
| Sep-2011 | 4,429 | 2,041 | 1,872 |
| Oct-2011 | 4,370 | 1,997 | 1,794 |
| Nov-2011 | 4,365 | 2,039 | 1,912 |
| Dec-2011 | 4,356 | 1,981 | 1,801 |
| Jan-2012 | 4,457 | 2,030 | 1,797 |
| Feb-2012 | 4,560 | 2,130 | 1,903 |
| Mar-2012 | 4,575 | 2,167 | 1,784 |
| Apr-2012 | 4,389 | 2,134 | 1,880 |
| May-2012 | 4,533 | 2,138 | 1,969 |
| Jun-2012 | 4,440 | 2,152 | 1,892 |
| Jul-2012 | 4,327 | 2,072 | 1,722 |
| Aug-2012 | 4,450 | 2,069 | 1,894 |
| Sep-2012 | 4,302 | 1,950 | 1,805 |
| Oct-2012 | 4,389 | 2,035 | 1,891 |
| Nov-2012 | 4,489 | 2,078 | 1,921 |
| Dec-2012 | 4,452 | 2,051 | 1,700 |
| Jan-2013 | 4,487 | 2,280 | 1,678 |
| Feb-2013 | 4,571 | 2,298 | 1,664 |
| Mar-2013 | 4,369 | 2,124 | 1,787 |
| Apr-2013 | 4,572 | 2,296 | 1,793 |
| May-2013 | 4,663 | 2,234 | 1,836 |
| Jun-2013 | 4,440 | 2,203 | 1,761 |
| Jul-2013 | 4,561 | 2,363 | 1,713 |
| Aug-2013 | 4,730 | 2,316 | 1,816 |
| Sep-2013 | 4,726 | 2,302 | 1,892 |
| Oct-2013 | 4,518 | 2,372 | 1,675 |
| Nov-2013 | 4,622 | 2,391 | 1,630 |
| Dec-2013 | 4,614 | 2,287 | 1,770 |
| Jan-2014 | 4,626 | 2,311 | 1,806 |
| Feb-2014 | 4,696 | 2,411 | 1,767 |
| Mar-2014 | 4,763 | 2,449 | 1,703 |
| Apr-2014 | 4,880 | 2,474 | 1,764 |
| May-2014 | 4,808 | 2,483 | 1,710 |
| Jun-2014 | 4,925 | 2,507 | 1,761 |
| Jul-2014 | 5,008 | 2,633 | 1,781 |
| Aug-2014 | 4,810 | 2,549 | 1,699 |
| Sep-2014 | 5,149 | 2,732 | 1,718 |
| Oct-2014 | 5,111 | 2,718 | 1,835 |
| Nov-2014 | 4,978 | 2,600 | 1,726 |
| Dec-2014 | 5,192 | 2,552 | 1,857 |
| Jan-2015 | 5,061 | 2,764 | 1,789 |
| Feb-2015 | 5,127 | 2,741 | 1,757 |
| Mar-2015 | 5,126 | 2,754 | 1,973 |
| Apr-2015 | 5,196 | 2,705 | 1,856 |
| May-2015 | 5,142 | 2,743 | 1,711 |
| Jun-2015 | 5,125 | 2,756 | 1,821 |
| Jul-2015 | 5,150 | 2,764 | 1,703 |
| Aug-2015 | 5,163 | 2,879 | 1,773 |
| Sep-2015 | 5,287 | 2,778 | 1,964 |
| Oct-2015 | 5,338 | 2,810 | 1,845 |
| Nov-2015 | 5,358 | 2,897 | 1,779 |
| Dec-2015 | 5,540 | 3,056 | 1,803 |
| Jan-2016 | 5,220 | 2,875 | 1,805 |
| Feb-2016 | 5,470 | 2,994 | 1,894 |
| Mar-2016 | 5,359 | 2,917 | 1,850 |
| Apr-2016 | 5,294 | 2,955 | 1,771 |
| May-2016 | 5,197 | 3,009 | 1,825 |
| Jun-2016 | 5,281 | 3,018 | 1,750 |
| Jul-2016 | 5,426 | 2,967 | 1,759 |
| Aug-2016 | 5,327 | 2,998 | 1,860 |
| Sep-2016 | 5,306 | 3,047 | 1,588 |
| Oct-2016 | 5,210 | 3,074 | 1,664 |
| Nov-2016 | 5,308 | 3,026 | 1,751 |
| Dec-2016 | 5,343 | 2,989 | 1,708 |
| Jan-2017 | 5,499 | 3,188 | 1,745 |
| Feb-2017 | 5,350 | 3,089 | 1,711 |
| Mar-2017 | 5,395 | 3,150 | 1,762 |
| Apr-2017 | 5,272 | 3,028 | 1,710 |
| May-2017 | 5,477 | 3,111 | 1,794 |
| Jun-2017 | 5,635 | 3,154 | 1,970 |
| Jul-2017 | 5,497 | 3,097 | 1,910 |
| Aug-2017 | 5,519 | 3,103 | 1,868 |
| Sep-2017 | 5,450 | 3,190 | 1,787 |
| Oct-2017 | 5,581 | 3,219 | 1,837 |
| Nov-2017 | 5,494 | 3,186 | 1,747 |
| Dec-2017 | 5,421 | 3,222 | 1,732 |
| Jan-2018 | 5,480 | 3,060 | 1,953 |
| Feb-2018 | 5,644 | 3,195 | 1,784 |
| Mar-2018 | 5,641 | 3,309 | 1,797 |
| Apr-2018 | 5,599 | 3,364 | 1,734 |
| May-2018 | 5,845 | 3,384 | 1,754 |
| Jun-2018 | 5,763 | 3,381 | 1,815 |
| Jul-2018 | 5,676 | 3,437 | 1,813 |
| Aug-2018 | 5,803 | 3,431 | 1,790 |
| Sep-2018 | 5,601 | 3,414 | 1,772 |
| Oct-2018 | 5,867 | 3,487 | 1,828 |
| Nov-2018 | 5,833 | 3,502 | 1,933 |
| Dec-2018 | 5,754 | 3,407 | 1,831 |
| Jan-2019 | 5,778 | 3,545 | 1,735 |
| Feb-2019 | 5,684 | 3,558 | 1,789 |
| Mar-2019 | 5,706 | 3,527 | 1,702 |
| Apr-2019 | 6,010 | 3,491 | 1,967 |
| May-2019 | 5,704 | 3,468 | 1,753 |
| Jun-2019 | 5,769 | 3,486 | 1,762 |
| Jul-2019 | 5,928 | 3,624 | 1,844 |
| Aug-2019 | 5,862 | 3,557 | 1,786 |
| Sep-2019 | 5,954 | 3,452 | 1,961 |
| Oct-2019 | 5,779 | 3,453 | 1,819 |
| Nov-2019 | 5,845 | 3,530 | 1,777 |
| Dec-2019 | 5,941 | 3,516 | 1,919 |
| Jan-2020 | 6,005 | 3,578 | 1,821 |
| Feb-2020 | 6,025 | 3,445 | 1,973 |
| Mar-2020 | 5,222 | 2,951 | 13,026 |
| Apr-2020 | 4,031 | 2,038 | 9,191 |
| May-2020 | 8,145 | 2,244 | 2,180 |
| Jun-2020 | 7,438 | 2,580 | 2,279 |
| Jul-2020 | 6,188 | 2,973 | 1,850 |
| Aug-2020 | 5,998 | 2,901 | 1,598 |
| Sep-2020 | 5,898 | 3,158 | 1,531 |
| Oct-2020 | 6,105 | 3,297 | 1,687 |
| Nov-2020 | 5,885 | 3,258 | 2,097 |
| Dec-2020 | 5,660 | 3,368 | 1,928 |
| Jan-2021 | 5,719 | 3,311 | 1,582 |
| Feb-2021 | 6,028 | 3,439 | 1,641 |
| Mar-2021 | 6,208 | 3,695 | 1,512 |
| Apr-2021 | 6,121 | 4,015 | 1,384 |
| May-2021 | 6,092 | 3,838 | 1,343 |
| Jun-2021 | 6,414 | 4,035 | 1,361 |
| Jul-2021 | 6,556 | 4,088 | 1,440 |
| Aug-2021 | 6,362 | 4,126 | 1,404 |
| Sep-2021 | 6,504 | 4,253 | 1,405 |
| Oct-2021 | 6,460 | 4,132 | 1,342 |
| Nov-2021 | 6,705 | 4,510 | 1,295 |
| Dec-2021 | 6,450 | 4,403 | 1,262 |
| Jan-2022 | 6,426 | 4,258 | 1,403 |
| Feb-2022 | 6,832 | 4,384 | 1,354 |
| Mar-2022 | 6,645 | 4,449 | 1,416 |
| Apr-2022 | 6,527 | 4,327 | 1,312 |
| May-2022 | 6,507 | 4,274 | 1,416 |
| June-2022 | 6,456 | 4,253 | 1,400 |
| July-2022 | 6,238 | 4,058 | 1,390 |
| August-2022 | 6,277 | 4,158 | 1,460 |
Note: Shaded areas denote recessions.
Source: EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey
The job-seekers ratio, 2000–2022
| Date | Job seekers ratio, imputed |
|---|---|
| 2000-12-01 | 1.11 |
| 2001-01-01 | 1.15 |
| 2001-02-01 | 1.19 |
| 2001-03-01 | 1.29 |
| 2001-04-01 | 1.36 |
| 2001-05-01 | 1.41 |
| 2001-06-01 | 1.49 |
| 2001-07-01 | 1.48 |
| 2001-08-01 | 1.75 |
| 2001-09-01 | 1.75 |
| 2001-10-01 | 2.08 |
| 2001-11-01 | 2.12 |
| 2001-12-01 | 2.25 |
| 2002-01-01 | 2.21 |
| 2002-02-01 | 2.39 |
| 2002-03-01 | 2.30 |
| 2002-04-01 | 2.48 |
| 2002-05-01 | 2.43 |
| 2002-06-01 | 2.46 |
| 2002-07-01 | 2.49 |
| 2002-08-01 | 2.36 |
| 2002-09-01 | 2.50 |
| 2002-10-01 | 2.39 |
| 2002-11-01 | 2.42 |
| 2002-12-01 | 2.73 |
| 2003-01-01 | 2.48 |
| 2003-02-01 | 2.67 |
| 2003-03-01 | 2.77 |
| 2003-04-01 | 2.84 |
| 2003-05-01 | 2.72 |
| 2003-06-01 | 2.73 |
| 2003-07-01 | 3.02 |
| 2003-08-01 | 2.79 |
| 2003-09-01 | 2.89 |
| 2003-10-01 | 2.64 |
| 2003-11-01 | 2.58 |
| 2003-12-01 | 2.44 |
| 2004-01-01 | 2.44 |
| 2004-02-01 | 2.31 |
| 2004-03-01 | 2.41 |
| 2004-04-01 | 2.33 |
| 2004-05-01 | 2.21 |
| 2004-06-01 | 2.48 |
| 2004-07-01 | 2.13 |
| 2004-08-01 | 2.26 |
| 2004-09-01 | 2.07 |
| 2004-10-01 | 2.04 |
| 2004-11-01 | 2.28 |
| 2004-12-01 | 1.95 |
| 2005-01-01 | 2.05 |
| 2005-02-01 | 2.01 |
| 2005-03-01 | 1.91 |
| 2005-04-01 | 1.84 |
| 2005-05-01 | 2.02 |
| 2005-06-01 | 1.85 |
| 2005-07-01 | 1.74 |
| 2005-08-01 | 1.77 |
| 2005-09-01 | 1.74 |
| 2005-10-01 | 1.78 |
| 2005-11-01 | 1.78 |
| 2005-12-01 | 1.70 |
| 2006-01-01 | 1.61 |
| 2006-02-01 | 1.66 |
| 2006-03-01 | 1.49 |
| 2006-04-01 | 1.49 |
| 2006-05-01 | 1.56 |
| 2006-06-01 | 1.52 |
| 2006-07-01 | 1.63 |
| 2006-08-01 | 1.51 |
| 2006-09-01 | 1.45 |
| 2006-10-01 | 1.47 |
| 2006-11-01 | 1.48 |
| 2006-12-01 | 1.46 |
| 2007-01-01 | 1.49 |
| 2007-02-01 | 1.47 |
| 2007-03-01 | 1.36 |
| 2007-04-01 | 1.46 |
| 2007-05-01 | 1.45 |
| 2007-06-01 | 1.44 |
| 2007-07-01 | 1.55 |
| 2007-08-01 | 1.55 |
| 2007-09-01 | 1.54 |
| 2007-10-01 | 1.56 |
| 2007-11-01 | 1.56 |
| 2007-12-01 | 1.68 |
| 2008-01-01 | 1.66 |
| 2008-02-01 | 1.75 |
| 2008-03-01 | 1.85 |
| 2008-04-01 | 1.89 |
| 2008-05-01 | 2.00 |
| 2008-06-01 | 2.24 |
| 2008-07-01 | 2.38 |
| 2008-08-01 | 2.57 |
| 2008-09-01 | 2.95 |
| 2008-10-01 | 2.98 |
| 2008-11-01 | 3.26 |
| 2008-12-01 | 3.59 |
| 2009-01-01 | 4.40 |
| 2009-02-01 | 4.50 |
| 2009-03-01 | 5.30 |
| 2009-04-01 | 6.04 |
| 2009-05-01 | 5.69 |
| 2009-06-01 | 5.88 |
| 2009-07-01 | 6.54 |
| 2009-08-01 | 6.34 |
| 2009-09-01 | 6.03 |
| 2009-10-01 | 6.38 |
| 2009-11-01 | 6.08 |
| 2009-12-01 | 5.88 |
| 2010-01-01 | 5.30 |
| 2010-02-01 | 5.67 |
| 2010-03-01 | 5.67 |
| 2010-04-01 | 4.86 |
| 2010-05-01 | 4.97 |
| 2010-06-01 | 5.17 |
| 2010-07-01 | 4.71 |
| 2010-08-01 | 4.88 |
| 2010-09-01 | 5.00 |
| 2010-10-01 | 4.49 |
| 2010-11-01 | 4.70 |
| 2010-12-01 | 4.69 |
| 2011-01-01 | 4.51 |
| 2011-02-01 | 4.28 |
| 2011-03-01 | 4.21 |
| 2011-04-01 | 4.28 |
| 2011-05-01 | 4.36 |
| 2011-06-01 | 4.04 |
| 2011-07-01 | 3.80 |
| 2011-08-01 | 4.15 |
| 2011-09-01 | 3.70 |
| 2011-10-01 | 3.76 |
| 2011-11-01 | 3.73 |
| 2011-12-01 | 3.47 |
| 2012-01-01 | 3.27 |
| 2012-02-01 | 3.54 |
| 2012-03-01 | 3.20 |
| 2012-04-01 | 3.33 |
| 2012-05-01 | 3.30 |
| 2012-06-01 | 3.25 |
| 2012-07-01 | 3.39 |
| 2012-08-01 | 3.27 |
| 2012-09-01 | 3.12 |
| 2012-10-01 | 3.21 |
| 2012-11-01 | 3.10 |
| 2012-12-01 | 3.10 |
| 2013-01-01 | 3.18 |
| 2013-02-01 | 2.98 |
| 2013-03-01 | 2.87 |
| 2013-04-01 | 2.95 |
| 2013-05-01 | 2.81 |
| 2013-06-01 | 2.83 |
| 2013-07-01 | 2.92 |
| 2013-08-01 | 2.76 |
| 2013-09-01 | 2.73 |
| 2013-10-01 | 2.64 |
| 2013-11-01 | 2.62 |
| 2013-12-01 | 2.52 |
| 2014-01-01 | 2.47 |
| 2014-02-01 | 2.37 |
| 2014-03-01 | 2.37 |
| 2014-04-01 | 2.12 |
| 2014-05-01 | 2.08 |
| 2014-06-01 | 1.90 |
| 2014-07-01 | 1.98 |
| 2014-08-01 | 1.79 |
| 2014-09-01 | 1.88 |
| 2014-10-01 | 1.79 |
| 2014-11-01 | 1.88 |
| 2014-12-01 | 1.70 |
| 2015-01-01 | 1.66 |
| 2015-02-01 | 1.57 |
| 2015-03-01 | 1.63 |
| 2015-04-01 | 1.53 |
| 2015-05-01 | 1.59 |
| 2015-06-01 | 1.57 |
| 2015-07-01 | 1.35 |
| 2015-08-01 | 1.46 |
| 2015-09-01 | 1.44 |
| 2015-10-01 | 1.37 |
| 2015-11-01 | 1.40 |
| 2015-12-01 | 1.35 |
| 2016-01-01 | 1.27 |
| 2016-02-01 | 1.33 |
| 2016-03-01 | 1.30 |
| 2016-04-01 | 1.39 |
| 2016-05-01 | 1.32 |
| 2016-06-01 | 1.35 |
| 2016-07-01 | 1.28 |
| 2016-08-01 | 1.37 |
| 2016-09-01 | 1.36 |
| 2016-10-01 | 1.40 |
| 2016-11-01 | 1.26 |
| 2016-12-01 | 1.26 |
| 2017-01-01 | 1.33 |
| 2017-02-01 | 1.25 |
| 2017-03-01 | 1.22 |
| 2017-04-01 | 1.16 |
| 2017-05-01 | 1.20 |
| 2017-06-01 | 1.09 |
| 2017-07-01 | 1.10 |
| 2017-08-01 | 1.13 |
| 2017-09-01 | 1.08 |
| 2017-10-01 | 1.05 |
| 2017-11-01 | 1.08 |
| 2017-12-01 | 1.05 |
| 2018-01-01 | 0.99 |
| 2018-02-01 | 1.00 |
| 2018-03-01 | 0.95 |
| 2018-04-01 | 0.93 |
| 2018-05-01 | 0.88 |
| 2018-06-01 | 0.89 |
| 2018-07-01 | 0.86 |
| 2018-08-01 | 0.86 |
| 2018-09-01 | 0.83 |
| 2018-10-01 | 0.85 |
| 2018-11-01 | 0.81 |
| 2018-12-01 | 0.86 |
| 2019-01-01 | 0.86 |
| 2019-02-01 | 0.87 |
| 2019-03-01 | 0.84 |
| 2019-04-01 | 0.82 |
| 2019-05-01 | 0.81 |
| 2019-06-01 | 0.83 |
| 2019-07-01 | 0.85 |
| 2019-08-01 | 0.84 |
| 2019-09-01 | 0.81 |
| 2019-10-01 | 0.81 |
| 2019-11-01 | 0.86 |
| 2019-12-01 | 0.87 |
| 2020-01-01 | 0.81 |
| 2020-02-01 | 0.82 |
| 2020-03-01 | 1.21 |
| 2020-04-01 | 4.89 |
| 2020-05-01 | 3.85 |
| 2020-06-01 | 2.92 |
| 2020-07-01 | 2.46 |
| 2020-08-01 | 2.14 |
| 2020-09-01 | 1.94 |
| 2020-10-01 | 1.62 |
| 2020-11-01 | 1.57 |
| 2020-12-01 | 1.56 |
| 2021-01-01 | 1.41 |
| 2021-02-01 | 1.27 |
| 2021-03-01 | 1.14 |
| 2021-04-01 | 1.05 |
| 2021-05-01 | 0.96 |
| 2021-06-01 | 0.96 |
| 2021-07-01 | 0.80 |
| 2021-08-01 | 0.78 |
| 2021-09-01 | 0.72 |
| 2021-10-01 | 0.66 |
| 2021-11-01 | 0.62 |
| 2021-12-01 | 0.55 |
| 2022-01-01 | 0.58 |
| 2022-02-01 | 0.55 |
| 2022-03-01 | 0.50 |
| 2022-04-01 | 0.51 |
| 2022-05-01 | 0.53 |
| 2022-06-01 | 0.54 |
| 2022-07-01 | 0.51 |
| 2022-08-01 | 0.60 |
Notes: Shaded areas denote recessions. Unemployment levels represent the average of the unemployment level for the current month.
Source: EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey and Current Population Survey.
Hires are greater than quits in all sectors while lower wage sectors experience higher levels of quits and hires: Hires and quits rates by major sector, August 2022
Notes: Data provided for all sectors with complementary information on both hires and quits rates for Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (x- and y-axis data) and private sector hourly wage rates from the Current Establishment Survey for January 2022 (data for size of bubbles); 45 degree line represent data where hires rates are equal to quits rates in each sector.
Source: EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey and Current Employment Survey public data series.