US Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary for April

On Tuesday, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the number of job openings increased by 731,000 to 7.6 million in April, with the job openings rate rising to 4.6%. Year-to-date, job openings have increased by 520,000.

The number of hires fell by 419,000 to 5.1 million, representing a hires rate of 3.1%. Total separations declined by 399,000 to 5.0 million, with the separations rate also at 3.1%.

The number and rate of quits were little changed at 3.0 million and 1.9%, respectively. Layoffs and discharges were also little changed at 1.7 million and 1.1%, respectively. Other separations held steady at 310,000.

By establishment size, firms with 1–9 employees saw little change in hires and separations rates, while the job openings rate increased. Among establishments with 5,000 or more employees, job openings, hires, layoffs and discharges, and total separations rates showed little or no change, while the quits rate increased.

Monthly Revisions

Revisions to March estimates show job openings were revised up by 21,000 to 6.9 million. Hires were revised down by 19,000 to 5.5 million, while total separations were revised down by 1,000 to 5.4 million. Within separations, quits were revised down by 11,000 to 3.2 million, and layoffs and discharges were revised up by 17,000 to 1.9 million.