Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary for April

On Wednesday (5-31-23), the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary (JOLTS) for April. According to the JOLTS report, as of the last business day in April, the number of job openings and rate increased to 10.1 million (up 358,000) and 6.1%, respectively.

The number of hires was little changed at 6.1 million, and the hire rate held steady at 3.9%.

The number of total separations decreased to 5.7 million (down 286,000), and the rate of total separations held steady at 3.7%. The BLS reported that the number of total separations in April was little changed in all industries.

The number and rate of quits declined to 3.8 million and 2.4%, respectively, down from 3.9 million and 2.5% in March.

The number and rate of layoffs and discharges decreased to 1.6 million (down 264,000) and 1.0%, respectively. Layoffs and discharges decreased in construction (down 113,000) and in information (down 33,000).

The number of other separations in April was little changed at 333,000. The BLS notes that other separations increased in health care and social assistance (up 24,000); state and local government, excluding education (up 10,000); and mining and logging (up 2,000). Other separations decreased in accommodations and food (down 18,000) as well as arts, entertainment, and recreation (down 3,000).

Establishments with 1 to 9 employees saw an increase in their job openings rate and a decrease in their layoffs and discharge rate. Establishments with more than 5,000 employees saw an increase in both job openings and the hire rate.