Down from a revised 5.631M (was 5.486M)

The JOLTs job openings for the month of October fell to 5.534M from a revised 5.631M last month (was 5.486).

  • The number of hires was essentially unchanged at 5.1 million in October. The hires rate was 3.5 percent. The number of hires was little changed for total private and for government. Hires decreased in state and local government education (-26,000) and was little changed in all other industries. The number of hires was little changed in all four regions.
  • There were 4.9 million total separations in October, little changed from September. The total separations rate in October was 3.4 percent. The number of total separations was little changed for total private and decreased for government (-39,000). Total separations decreased in state and local government education (-26,000), information (-20,000), and federal government (-7,000). The number of total separations was little changed in all four regions.
  • The number of quits was little changed in October at 3.0 million. The quits rate was 2.1 percent. Over the month, the number of quits was little changed for total private, and decreased for government (-26,000). Quits decreased in information (-18,000) and state and local government, excluding education (-16,000). The number of quits was little changed in all four regions.
  • There were 1.5 million layoffs and discharges in October, essentially unchanged from September. The layoffs and discharges rate was unchanged at 1.0 percent in October. The number of layoffs and discharges was little changed for total private and for government. The layoffs and discharges level increased in health care and social assistance (+46,000) but decreased in state and local education (-18,000). The number of layoffs and discharges was little changed in all four regions.

When the number of hires exceeds the number of separations, employment rises, even if the hires level is steady or declining. Conversely, when the number of hires is less than the number of separations, employment declines, even if the hires level is steady or rising. Over the 12 months ending in October, hires totaled 62.6 million and separations totaled 60.1 million, yielding a net employment gain of 2.5 million. These totals include workers who may have been hired and separated more than once during the year.