US Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary for July

On Wednesday, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the number of job openings was little changed in July at 7.2 million, with the job openings rate holding steady at 4.3%.

Openings fell in health care and social assistance (-181,000); arts, entertainment, and recreation (-62,000); and mining and logging (-13,000).

The number of hires remained at 5.3 million, a 3.3% rate. Total separations were also unchanged at 5.3 million (3.3%). Within separations, quits held at 3.2 million (2.0%), while layoffs and discharges were stable at 1.8 million (1.1%). Other separations decreased by 63,000 to 272,000.

By establishment size, both small businesses (1–9 employees) and large employers (5,000 or more employees) saw little or no change in openings, hires, and separations rates.

Monthly Revisions

Revisions to June estimates show job openings were reduced by 80,000 to 7.4 million. Hires were revised up by 63,000 to 5.3 million, while total separations were revised up by 281,000 to 5.3 million. Within separations, quits were revised up by 67,000 to 3.2 million, and layoffs and discharges were revised up by 192,000 to 1.8 million.