1
Technical information:
(202) 691-5870
http://www.bls.gov/jlt/
Media contact:
USDL 05-1962
For release: 10:00 A.M. EDT
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
691-5902
JOB OPENINGS AND LABOR TURNOVER: AUGUST 2005
The job openings, hires, and total separations rates were all essentially unchanged in August, the Bureau
of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. This release includes estimates of the
number and rate of job openings, hires, and separations for the total nonfarm sector by industry and geographic region.
Chart 1. Job openings rate, seasonally adjusted,
Percent
December 2000 - August 2005
Chart 2. Hires and separations rates, seasonally adjusted,
Percent
December 2000 - August 2005
4.0
4.0
3.8
3.8
3.6
3.6
3.4
3.4
3.2
3.2
3.0
3.0
2.8
2.8
2.6
2.6
Hires
Separations
2.4
2.4
2.2
2.2
2.0
2.0
1.8
1.8
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
Job Openings
On the last business day of August 2005, there were 3.5 million job openings in the United States, and
the job openings rate was 2.6 percent. (See table 1.) The job openings rate was unchanged in August, but
has generally trended upward since September 2003. In August, the job openings rate did not change significantly in any industry or region.
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina struck Florida and the Gulf Coast at the end of August, the reference
month for the preliminary estimates in this release. All possible efforts were made to contact
survey respondents in the hurricane-affected areas. Special estimation procedures were used
for selected nonresponding sample units as discussed in the note on page 3.
2
Table A. Job openings, hires, and total separations by industry, seasonally adjusted
Job openings
Industry
Aug.
2004
July
2005
Hires
Aug.
2005p
Aug.
2004
July
2005
Total separations
Aug.
2005p
Aug.
2004
July
2005
Aug.
2005p
Levels (in thousands)
1
Total ...........................................................
Total private 1........................................
Construction ...................................
Manufacturing ................................
Trade, transportation, and
utilities ...........................................
Professional and business
services .........................................
Education and health services ....
Leisure and hospitality .................
Government ..........................................
3,206
2,855
110
238
3,588
3,204
128
287
3,549
3,173
133
275
4,504
4,174
398
356
4,649
4,342
381
345
4,654
4,341
427
350
4,271
4,038
412
383
4,270
4,007
370
361
4,457
4,202
436
377
548
600
601
975
990
1,046
942
948
1,048
589
533
418
348
666
607
439
388
633
622
428
379
770
450
770
339
832
453
834
330
783
463
798
332
663
401
789
248
747
391
750
257
634
414
783
263
Rates (percent)
Total 1.........................................................
Total private 1.......................................
Construction ...................................
Manufacturing ................................
Trade, transportation, and
utilities ...........................................
Professional and business
services .........................................
Education and health services ....
Leisure and hospitality .................
Government ..........................................
1
2.4
2.5
1.6
1.6
2.6
2.8
1.7
2.0
2.6
2.8
1.8
1.9
3.4
3.8
5.7
2.5
3.5
3.9
5.3
2.4
3.5
3.9
5.9
2.5
3.2
3.7
5.9
2.7
3.2
3.6
5.1
2.5
3.3
3.7
6.0
2.6
2.1
2.3
2.3
3.8
3.8
4.0
3.7
3.7
4.0
3.5
3.0
3.2
1.6
3.8
3.4
3.3
1.7
3.6
3.5
3.2
1.7
4.7
2.6
6.2
1.6
4.9
2.6
6.5
1.5
4.6
2.7
6.2
1.5
4.0
2.4
6.3
1.1
4.4
2.3
5.9
1.2
3.7
2.4
6.1
1.2
Includes natural resources and mining, information, financial activities, and other services, not shown separately.
p = preliminary.
Hires and Separations
The hires rate was unchanged at 3.5 percent in August. (See table 2.) Hires are any additions to
the payroll during the month. In August, the hires rate did not change significantly in any industry, but
did decrease in the Midwest region.
The total separations, or turnover, rate was little changed at 3.3 percent in August. (See table 3.)
Separations are terminations of employment that occur at any time during the month. In August, the total
separations rate decreased in the professional and business services industry. The total separations rates
in all other industries and the regions did not change significantly from July.
Total separations include quits (voluntary separations), layoffs and discharges (involuntary separations),
and other separations (including retirements). The quits rate, which can serve as a barometer of workers’
ability to change jobs, was essentially unchanged at 1.9 percent in August. (See table 4.) The quits rate
increased in the construction industry but did not change significantly in any other industry or in any of the
regions.
3
The other two components of total separations—layoffs and discharges, and other separations—are not
seasonally adjusted. From August 2004 to August 2005, the layoffs and discharges rate decreased to 1.3
percent, but the other separations rate was unchanged at 0.3 percent. (See tables 9 and 10.)
Hires and separations data help show dynamic flows in the labor market. Over the last 12 months, hires
have averaged 4.7 million per month and separations have averaged 4.4 million per month (not seasonally
adjusted). The comparable figures a year earlier were 4.4 million hires and 4.2 million separations. (See the
Technical Note for additional information on these measures.)
For More Information
For additional information, please read the Technical Note or visit the JOLTS Web site at http://
www.bls.gov/jlt/. Additional information about JOLTS also may be obtained by e-mailing [email protected]
or by calling (202) 691-5870.
______________________________
The Job Openings and Labor Turnover release for September 2005 is scheduled to be issued on
Tuesday, November 8, 2005.
Hurricane Katrina
The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) sample is designed to produce
estimates of job openings, hires, and separations for the nation as a whole and for four geographic regions. Industry detail is produced only for the national-level estimates. While JOLTS
does not produce data at the detailed local level, some effect of the storm and ensuing flooding
may be reflected in the JOLTS estimates.
All possible efforts were made to contact survey respondents in the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina, and special treatment procedures were used for selected cases as described below.
Nonresponding sample units that met the following criteria were given special treatment in the
August estimation: 1) the unit had established a consistent pattern of reporting survey data in the
months preceding the storm, 2) the unit was located in one of the most heavily damaged or
flooded areas as defined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), 3) research
produced independent corroboration that the business location itself was physically damaged, and
4) research produced no evidence that the unit’s workforce was still being paid or was otherwise
considered employed. For such sample units, BLS assumed that they had no job openings as of
the last business day of the month, and that by the end of August the business was closed and
their entire workforce was laid off. There were very few units subject to the special procedures.
While the preliminary estimates in this release reflect this special treatment, it is not possible
to quantify the effect of Hurricane Katrina on the overall JOLTS estimates. Attempts to collect
August data in the affected areas will continue, and final August estimates will be released next
month.
Technical Note
The data for the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey
(JOLTS) are collected and compiled monthly from a sample of
business establishments by the Bureau of Labor Statistics
(BLS).
Collection
Each month, data are collected in a survey of business
establishments for total employment, job openings, hires, quits,
layoffs and discharges, and other separations. Data collection
methods include computer-assisted telephone interviewing,
touchtone data entry, fax, and mail.
Coverage
The JOLTS program covers all private nonfarm
establishments such as factories, offices, and stores, as well as
federal, state, and local government entities in the 50 states and
the District of Columbia.
Concepts
Industry classification. The industry classifications in this
release are in accordance with the 2002 version of the North
American Industry Classification System (NAICS). In order to
ensure the highest possible quality of data, State Employment
Security Agencies verify with employers and update, if
necessary, the industry code, location, and ownership
classification of all establishments on a 3-year cycle. Changes
in establishment characteristics resulting from the verification
process are always introduced into the JOLTS sampling frame
with the data reported for the first month of the year.
Employment. Employment includes persons on the payroll
who worked or received pay for the pay period that includes
the 12th day of the reference month. Full-time, part-time,
permanent, short-term, seasonal, salaried, and hourly
employees are included, as are employees on paid vacations or
other paid leave. Proprietors or partners of unincorporated
businesses, unpaid family workers, or persons on leave without
pay or on strike for the entire pay period, are not counted as
employed. Employees of temporary help agencies, employee
leasing companies, outside contractors, and consultants are
counted by their employer of record, not by the establishment
where they are working.
Job openings. Establishments submit job openings
information for the last business day of the reference month.
A job opening requires that: 1) a specific position exists and
there is work available for that position, 2) work could start
within 30 days regardless of whether a suitable candidate is
found, and 3) the employer is actively recruiting from outside
the establishment to fill the position. Included are full-time,
part-time, permanent, short-term, and seasonal openings.
Active recruiting means that the establishment is taking steps
to fill a position by advertising in newspapers or on the Internet,
posting help-wanted signs, accepting applications, or using
other similar methods.
Jobs to be filled only by internal transfers, promotions,
demotions, or recall from layoffs are excluded. Also excluded
are jobs with start dates more than 30 days in the future, jobs
for which employees have been hired but have not yet reported
for work, and jobs to be filled by employees of temporary help
agencies, employee leasing companies, outside contractors, or
consultants. The job openings rate is computed by dividing
the number of job openings by the sum of employment and job
openings and multiplying that quotient by 100.
Hires. Hires are the total number of additions to the payroll
occurring at any time during the reference month, including
both new and rehired employees, full-time and part-time,
permanent, short-term, and seasonal employees, employees
recalled to the location after a layoff lasting more than 7 days,
on-call or intermittent employees who returned to work after
having been formally separated, and transfers from other
locations. The hires count does not include transfers or
promotions within the reporting site, employees returning from
strike, employees of temporary help agencies or employee
leasing companies, outside contractors, or consultants. The
hires rate is computed by dividing the number of hires by
employment and multiplying that quotient by 100.
Separations. Separations are the total number of
terminations of employment occurring at any time during the
reference month, and are reported by type of separation—
quits, layoffs and discharges, and other separations. Quits are
voluntary separations by employees (except for retirements,
which are reported as other separations). Layoffs and
discharges are involuntary separations initiated by the
employer and include layoffs with no intent to rehire, formal
layoffs lasting or expected to last more than 7 days, discharges
resulting from mergers, downsizing, or closings, firings or other
discharges for cause, terminations of permanent or short-term
employees, and terminations of seasonal employees. Other
separations include retirements, transfers to other locations,
deaths, and separations due to disability. Separations do not
include transfers within the same location or employees on
strike.
The separations rate is computed by dividing the number of
separations by employment and multiplying that quotient by
100. The quits, layoffs and discharges, and other separations
rates are computed similarly, dividing the number by
employment and multiplying by 100.
Sample methodology
The JOLTS sample design is a random sample of 16,000
nonfarm business establishments, including factories, offices,
and stores, as well as federal, state, and local governments in
the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The establishments
are drawn from a universe of over eight million establishments
compiled as part of the operations of the Quarterly Census of
Employment and Wages, or QCEW, program. This program
includes all employers subject to state Unemployment
Insurance (UI) laws and federal agencies subject to
Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE).
The sampling frame is stratified by ownership, region,
industry sector, and size class. Large firms fall into the sample
with virtual certainty. JOLTS total employment estimates are
controlled to the employment estimates of the Current
Employment Statistics (CES) survey. A ratio of CES to JOLTS
employment is used to adjust the levels for all other JOLTS data
elements. Rates are then computed from the adjusted levels.
Using JOLTS data
The JOLTS data series on job openings, hires, and
separations are relatively new. The full sample is divided into
panels, with one panel enrolled each month. A full complement
of panels for the original data series based on the 1987 Standard
Industrial Classification (SIC) system was not completely
enrolled in the survey until January 2002. The supplemental
panels of establishments needed to create NAICS estimates
were not completely enrolled until May 2003. The data
collected up until those points are from less than a full sample.
Therefore, estimates from earlier months should be used with
caution, as fewer sampled units were reporting data at that time.
In March 2002, BLS procedures for collecting hires and
separations data were revised to address possible
underreporting. As a result, JOLTS hires and separations
estimates for months prior to March 2002 may not be
comparable with estimates for March 2002 and later.
The federal government reorganization that involved
transferring approximately 180,000 employees to the new
Department of Homeland Security is not reflected in the JOLTS
hires and separations estimates for the federal government.
The Office of Personnel Management’s record shows these
transfers were completed in March 2003. The inclusion of
transfers in the JOLTS definitions of hires and separations is
intended to cover ongoing movements of workers between
establishments. The Department of Homeland Security
reorganization was a massive one-time event, and the inclusion
of these intergovernmental transfers would distort the federal
government time series.
Seasonal adjustment
BLS seasonally adjusts several JOLTS series using the
X-12-ARIMA seasonal adjustment program. Seasonal
adjustment is the process of estimating and removing periodic
fluctuations caused by events such as weather, holidays, and
the beginning and ending of the school year. Seasonal
adjustment makes it easier to observe fundamental changes in
the level of the series, particularly those associated with
general economic expansions and contractions. A concurrent
seasonal adjustment methodology is used in which new
seasonal adjustment factors are calculated each month, using
all relevant data, up to and including the data for the current
month.
Data users should note that seasonal adjustment of the
JOLTS series is conducted with fewer data observations than
is customary. The historical data, therefore, may be subject to
larger than normal revisions. Since the seasonal patterns in
economic data series typically emerge over time, the standard
use of moving averages as seasonal filters to capture these
effects requires longer series than are currently available. As
a result, the stable seasonal filter option is used in the seasonal
adjustment of the JOLTS data. When calculating seasonal
factors, this filter takes an average for each calendar month
after detrending the series. The stable seasonal filter assumes
that the seasonal factors are fixed; a necessary assumption
until sufficient data are available. When the stable seasonal
filter is no longer needed, other program features also may be
introduced, such as outlier adjustment and extended
diagnostic testing. Additionally, it is expected that more series,
such as layoffs and discharges and additional industries, may
be seasonally adjusted when more data are available.
Reliability of the estimates
JOLTS estimates are subject to both sampling and
nonsampling error. When a sample rather than the entire
population is surveyed, there is a chance that the sample
estimates may differ from the “true” population values they
represent. The exact difference, or sampling error, varies
depending on the particular sample selected, and this
variability is measured by the standard error of the estimate.
BLS analysis is generally conducted at the 90-percent level of
confidence. That means that there is a 90-percent chance, or
level of confidence, that an estimate based on a sample will
differ by no more than 1.6 standard errors from the “true”
population value because of sampling error. Estimates of
sampling errors are available upon request.
The JOLTS estimates also are affected by nonsampling
error. Nonsampling error can occur for many reasons, including
the failure to include a segment of the population, the inability
to obtain data from all units in the sample, the inability or
unwillingness of respondents to provide data on a timely basis,
mistakes made by respondents, errors made in the collection or
processing of the data, and errors from the employment
benchmark data used in estimation.
JOLTS hires and separations estimates cannot be used to
exactly explain net changes in nonfarm payroll employment.
Some reasons why it is problematic to compare changes in
payroll employment with JOLTS hires and separations,
especially on a monthly basis, are: 1) the reference period for
payroll employment is the pay period including the 12th of the
month, while the reference period for hires and separations is
the calendar month; and 2) payroll employment can vary from
month to month simply because part-time and on-call workers
may not always work during the pay period that includes the
12th of the month. Additionally, research has found that some
reporters systematically underreport separations relative to
hires due to a number of factors, including the nature of their
payroll systems and practices. The shortfall appears to be
about 2 percent or less over a 12-month period.
Other information
Information in this release will be made available to sensory
impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: 202-691-5200;
TDD message referral phone: 1-800-877-8339.
1
2
Table 1. Job openings levels and rates by industry and region, seasonally adjusted
Levels3 (in thousands)
Industry and region
Aug.
Rates
Apr.
2005
May
2005
June
2005
July
2005
Aug.
Aug.
2004
Mar.
2005
2005p
Total 4……………………………………………… 3,206
3,598
3,576
3,416
3,647
3,588
3,212
170
258
624
646
616
440
383
3,178
113
259
627
691
608
457
396
3,050
107
240
597
659
611
440
378
3,239
104
269
624
686
609
517
394
615
1,447
737
806
602
1,414
742
818
563
1,303
786
799
634
1,333
781
869
2004
Mar.
2005
Apr.
2005
May
2005
June
2005
July
2005
2005p
Aug.
3,549
2.4
2.6
2.6
2.5
2.7
2.6
2.6
3,204
128
287
600
666
607
439
388
3,173
133
275
601
633
622
428
379
2.5
1.6
1.6
2.1
3.5
3.0
3.2
1.6
2.8
2.3
1.8
2.4
3.7
3.5
3.4
1.7
2.8
1.5
1.8
2.4
3.9
3.4
3.5
1.8
2.7
1.5
1.6
2.3
3.8
3.4
3.3
1.7
2.8
1.4
1.8
2.4
3.9
3.4
3.9
1.8
2.8
1.7
2.0
2.3
3.8
3.4
3.3
1.7
2.8
1.8
1.9
2.3
3.6
3.5
3.2
1.7
610
1,343
764
832
607
1,366
720
862
2.2
2.6
2.1
2.5
2.4
3.0
2.3
2.7
2.3
2.9
2.3
2.7
2.2
2.7
2.4
2.7
2.4
2.7
2.4
2.9
2.3
2.7
2.4
2.8
2.3
2.8
2.2
2.9
INDUSTRY
Total private4…………………………………… 2,855
110
Manufacturing………………………………… 238
Trade, transportation, and utilities………… 548
Professional and business services………
589
Education and health services……………… 533
Leisure and hospitality………………...……
418
Government……………………………………… 348
Construction…………………………………
REGION
Northeast……………………………………… 562
South………………………………………… 1,248
Midwest………………………………………
West……………………………………………
1
671
738
Job openings are the number of job openings on the last business day
the regions are: Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts,
of the month.
2
The job openings rate is the number of job openings on the last business
New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and
day of the month as a percent of total employment plus job openings.
3
Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent
Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi,
seasonal adjustment of the various series.
4
Includes natural resources and mining, information, financial activities,
and West Virginia; Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan,
and other services, not shown separately.
P
= preliminary.
and Wisconsin; West: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii,
Vermont; South: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia,
North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia,
Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota,
Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington,
NOTE: The States (including the District of Columbia) that comprise
and Wyoming.
Table 2. Hires levels1 and rates2 by industry and region, seasonally adjusted
3
Levels (in thousands)
Industry and region
Aug.
Rates
2004
Mar.
2005
Apr.
2005
May
2005
June
2005
July
2005
Aug.
2005
Total 4……………………………………………… 4,504
4,841
4,538
4,740
4,694
4,649
4,497
414
334
1,047
895
472
798
336
4,212
412
319
1,042
792
487
742
329
4,398
420
342
1,030
887
466
750
339
4,365
393
347
1,045
835
457
877
337
856
1,922
1,034
1,036
825
1,701
1,020
1,037
764
1,816
1,129
1,048
794
1,786
1,054
1,070
Aug.
2004
Mar.
2005
Apr.
2005
May
2005
June
2005
July
2005
2005p
4,654
3.4
3.6
3.4
3.6
3.5
3.5
3.5
4,342
381
345
990
832
453
834
330
4,341
427
350
1,046
783
463
798
332
3.8
5.7
2.5
3.8
4.7
2.6
6.2
1.6
4.0
5.8
2.3
4.1
5.3
2.7
6.3
1.5
3.8
5.7
2.2
4.0
4.7
2.8
5.8
1.5
3.9
5.8
2.4
4.0
5.3
2.7
5.9
1.6
3.9
5.4
2.4
4.0
4.9
2.6
6.9
1.6
3.9
5.3
2.4
3.8
4.9
2.6
6.5
1.5
3.9
5.9
2.5
4.0
4.6
2.7
6.2
1.5
772
1,689
1,045
1,081
779
1,766
936
1,158
3.1
3.6
3.2
3.7
3.4
4.1
3.3
3.6
3.3
3.6
3.3
3.6
3.0
3.8
3.6
3.6
3.1
3.8
3.4
3.7
3.0
3.6
3.3
3.7
3.1
3.7
3.0
3.9
p
Aug.
INDUSTRY
4
Total private …………………………………… 4,174
398
Manufacturing………………………………… 356
Trade, transportation, and utilities………… 975
Professional and business services………
770
Education and health services……………… 450
Leisure and hospitality………………...……
770
Government……………………………………… 339
Construction…………………………………
REGION
Northeast……………………………………… 785
South………………………………………… 1,668
Midwest………………………………………
996
West…………………………………………… 1,057
1
Hires are the number of hires during the entire month.
2
The hires rate is the number of hires during the entire month as a percent of total employment.
3
Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent seasonal adjustment of the various series.
4
Includes natural resources and mining, information, financial activities, and other services, not shown separately.
P
= preliminary.
NOTE: See NOTE, table 1.
1
2
Table 3. Total separations levels and rates by industry and region, seasonally adjusted
Levels3 (in thousands)
Industry and region
Aug.
Rates
Apr.
2005
May
2005
June
2005
July
2005
Aug.
Aug.
2004
Mar.
2005
2005p
Total 4……………………………………………… 4,271
4,502
4,562
4,504
4,477
4,270
4,237
303
360
980
924
445
743
267
4,306
421
369
1,018
869
433
709
256
4,256
408
369
989
851
405
750
254
4,223
380
350
980
818
401
803
254
802
1,763
1,051
926
807
1,766
982
1,006
714
1,743
976
1,034
761
1,653
946
1,062
2004
Mar.
2005
Apr.
2005
May
2005
June
2005
July
2005
2005p
Aug.
4,457
3.2
3.4
3.4
3.4
3.4
3.2
3.3
4,007
370
361
948
747
391
750
257
4,202
436
377
1,048
634
414
783
263
3.7
5.9
2.7
3.7
4.0
2.4
6.3
1.1
3.8
4.2
2.5
3.8
5.5
2.6
5.9
1.2
3.9
5.8
2.6
3.9
5.2
2.5
5.6
1.2
3.8
5.6
2.6
3.8
5.1
2.3
5.9
1.2
3.8
5.3
2.4
3.8
4.8
2.3
6.3
1.2
3.6
5.1
2.5
3.7
4.4
2.3
5.9
1.2
3.7
6.0
2.6
4.0
3.7
2.4
6.1
1.2
715
1,567
1,011
1,001
718
1,653
1,018
1,086
3.0
3.4
2.9
3.8
3.2
3.7
3.4
3.2
3.2
3.7
3.1
3.4
2.8
3.7
3.1
3.5
3.0
3.5
3.0
3.6
2.8
3.3
3.2
3.4
2.8
3.5
3.2
3.7
Apr.
2005
May
2005
June
2005
July
2005
2005p
INDUSTRY
Total private4…………………………………… 4,038
412
Manufacturing………………………………… 383
Trade, transportation, and utilities………… 942
Professional and business services………
663
Education and health services……………… 401
Leisure and hospitality………………...……
789
Government……………………………………… 248
Construction…………………………………
REGION
Northeast……………………………………… 748
South………………………………………… 1,563
Midwest………………………………………
915
West…………………………………………… 1,084
1
Total separations are the number of total separations during the entire month.
2
The total separations rate is the number of total separations during the entire month as a percent of total employment.
3
Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent seasonal adjustment of the various series.
4
Includes natural resources and mining, information, financial activities, and other services, not shown separately.
P
= preliminary.
NOTE: See NOTE, table 1.
Table 4. Quits levels1 and rates2 by industry and region, seasonally adjusted
3
Levels (in thousands)
Industry and region
Aug.
Rates
Apr.
2005
May
2005
June
2005
July
2005
Aug.
Aug.
2004
Mar.
2005
2005p
2004
Mar.
2005
Total 4……………………………………………… 2,288
2,516
2,520
2,514
2,475
2,474
2,590
1.7
1.9
1.9
1.9
1.9
1.8
1.9
2,383
150
186
583
424
280
458
124
2,395
146
178
577
417
272
506
125
2,391
168
183
589
420
249
488
123
2,348
139
190
588
386
256
510
124
2,351
140
189
577
353
271
525
125
2,461
211
191
626
350
271
519
130
2.0
2.2
1.2
2.1
2.0
1.4
3.8
.5
2.1
2.1
1.3
2.3
2.5
1.6
3.6
.6
2.1
2.0
1.2
2.2
2.5
1.6
4.0
.6
2.1
2.3
1.3
2.3
2.5
1.4
3.8
.6
2.1
1.9
1.3
2.3
2.3
1.5
4.0
.6
2.1
1.9
1.3
2.2
2.1
1.6
4.1
.6
2.2
2.9
1.3
2.4
2.1
1.6
4.0
.6
410
1,003
561
562
446
992
540
573
373
1,020
554
562
350
960
542
653
381
964
548
577
401
1,038
547
597
1.4
1.9
1.6
2.0
1.6
2.1
1.8
1.9
1.8
2.1
1.7
2.0
1.5
2.2
1.8
1.9
1.4
2.0
1.7
2.2
1.5
2.0
1.7
2.0
1.6
2.2
1.7
2.0
Aug.
INDUSTRY
4
Total private …………………………………… 2,178
156
Manufacturing………………………………… 166
Trade, transportation, and utilities………… 543
Professional and business services………
326
Education and health services……………… 241
Leisure and hospitality………………...……
477
Government……………………………………… 116
Construction…………………………………
REGION
Northeast……………………………………… 342
897
Midwest………………………………………
484
West…………………………………………… 562
South…………………………………………
1
Quits are the number of quits during the entire month.
2
The quits rate is the number of quits during the entire month as a percent of total employment.
3
Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent seasonal adjustment of the various series.
4
Includes natural resources and mining, information, financial activities, and other services, not shown separately.
P
= preliminary.
NOTE: See NOTE, table 1.
Table 5. Job openings levels1 and rates2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted
Levels (in thousands)
Industry and region
Total…………………………………………………………
Rates
Aug.
July
Aug.
Aug.
July
Aug.
2004
2005
2005p
2004
2005
2005p
3,466
3,821
3,821
2.6
2.8
2.8
3,084
8
118
257
154
102
607
113
410
85
68
211
173
39
642
571
57
514
471
52
419
131
3,402
14
152
311
204
107
613
128
372
113
79
246
197
48
720
629
65
564
500
73
426
139
3,410
12
149
297
203
94
661
128
425
107
87
237
191
45
683
665
73
592
476
66
411
142
2.7
1.3
1.6
1.7
1.7
1.8
2.3
1.9
2.7
1.7
2.1
2.5
2.8
1.8
3.7
3.3
2.3
3.5
3.5
2.4
3.7
2.3
2.9
2.2
2.0
2.1
2.2
2.0
2.3
2.2
2.4
2.3
2.4
2.9
3.1
2.1
4.0
3.6
2.5
3.7
3.6
3.3
3.6
2.4
2.9
1.8
1.9
2.0
2.2
1.7
2.5
2.2
2.7
2.1
2.7
2.8
3.0
2.0
3.8
3.8
2.9
3.9
3.4
3.0
3.5
2.5
382
45
338
419
50
369
411
43
368
1.8
1.6
1.9
2.0
1.8
2.0
2.0
1.5
2.0
627
1,302
748
789
631
1,468
822
900
677
1,425
790
929
2.4
2.7
2.4
2.7
2.4
3.0
2.6
3.0
2.6
2.9
2.5
3.1
INDUSTRY
Total private………………………………………………
Natural resources and mining………………………
Construction……………………………………………
Manufacturing…………………………………………
Durable goods...……………………………………
Nondurable goods...………………………………
Trade, transportation, and utilities…………………
Wholesale trade……………………………………
Retail trade…………………………………………
Transportation, warehousing, and utilities………
Information……………………………………………
Financial activities……..………………………………
Finance and insurance……………………………
Real estate and rental and leasing………………
Professional and business services…………………
Education and health services………………………
Educational services………………………………
Health care and social assistance………………
Leisure and hospitality………………...……………
Arts, entertainment, and recreation………………
Accommodations and food services……………
Other services…………………………………………
Government………………………………………………
Federal…………………………………………………
State and local…………….…………………………
REGION
Northeast………………………………………………
South……………………………………………………
Midwest…………………………………………………
West……………………………………………………
1
Job openings are the number of job openings on the last business day of the month.
2
The job openings rate is the number of job openings on the last business day of the month as a percent of total employment plus job openings.
P
= preliminary.
NOTE: See NOTE, table 1.
Table 6. Hires levels1 and rates2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted
Levels (in thousands)
Industry and region
Total…………………………………………………………
Rates
Aug.
July
Aug.
Aug.
July
Aug.
2004
2005
2005p
2004
2005
2005p
5,209
4,847
5,363
4.0
3.6
4.0
4,686
20
399
409
255
154
1,072
174
716
183
75
186
125
61
858
561
90
472
877
118
758
230
4,479
22
396
375
221
154
956
120
681
156
59
205
128
76
854
489
69
420
889
133
756
234
4,855
24
446
401
229
172
1,156
148
819
189
77
184
118
66
860
574
97
477
910
103
807
223
4.2
3.2
5.5
2.8
2.8
2.8
4.2
3.1
4.8
3.8
2.4
2.3
2.1
2.9
5.1
3.4
3.7
3.3
6.7
5.7
6.9
4.2
4.0
3.5
5.2
2.6
2.5
2.9
3.7
2.1
4.5
3.2
1.9
2.5
2.1
3.5
5.0
2.9
2.8
2.9
6.6
6.2
6.7
4.2
4.3
3.7
5.9
2.8
2.6
3.2
4.5
2.6
5.4
3.8
2.4
2.2
1.9
3.0
5.0
3.4
3.9
3.3
6.8
4.9
7.1
4.0
522
38
484
368
39
329
509
40
468
2.6
1.4
2.7
1.8
1.4
1.8
2.5
1.5
2.6
845
1,956
1,228
1,180
851
1,778
1,037
1,181
836
2,072
1,142
1,313
3.4
4.2
4.0
4.1
3.4
3.7
3.3
4.0
3.3
4.4
3.6
4.5
INDUSTRY
Total private………………………………………………
Natural resources and mining………………………
Construction……………………………………………
Manufacturing…………………………………………
Durable goods...……………………………………
Nondurable goods...………………………………
Trade, transportation, and utilities…………………
Wholesale trade……………………………………
Retail trade…………………………………………
Transportation, warehousing, and utilities………
Information……………………………………………
Financial activities……..………………………………
Finance and insurance……………………………
Real estate and rental and leasing………………
Professional and business services…………………
Education and health services………………………
Educational services………………………………
Health care and social assistance………………
Leisure and hospitality………………...……………
Arts, entertainment, and recreation………………
Accommodations and food services……………
Other services…………………………………………
Government………………………………………………
Federal…………………………………………………
State and local…………….…………………………
REGION
Northeast………………………………………………
South……………………………………………………
Midwest…………………………………………………
West……………………………………………………
1
Hires are the number of hires during the entire month.
2
The hires rate is the number of hires during the entire month as a percent of total employment.
P
= preliminary.
NOTE: See NOTE, table 1.
Table 7. Total separations levels1 and rates2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted
Levels (in thousands)
Rates
Industry and region
Total…………………………………………………………
Aug.
July
Aug.
Aug.
July
Aug.
2004
2005
2005p
2004
2005
2005p
5,455
4,470
5,683
4.2
3.3
4.3
5,074
21
480
467
311
156
1,105
176
768
161
89
241
164
77
855
523
75
448
1,002
165
838
290
4,153
15
315
384
247
137
944
134
675
135
82
171
123
49
835
436
61
375
773
83
690
199
5,277
27
525
463
302
161
1,243
154
898
191
91
226
160
65
803
539
76
464
1,011
183
827
350
4.6
3.5
6.6
3.2
3.5
2.9
4.3
3.1
5.1
3.3
2.8
3.0
2.7
3.6
5.1
3.1
3.1
3.2
7.7
7.9
7.6
5.3
3.7
2.3
4.2
2.7
2.8
2.5
3.6
2.3
4.4
2.7
2.6
2.1
2.0
2.2
4.9
2.6
2.4
2.6
5.8
3.9
6.1
3.6
4.7
4.1
6.9
3.2
3.4
3.0
4.8
2.7
5.9
3.9
2.9
2.7
2.6
3.0
4.7
3.2
3.1
3.2
7.5
8.7
7.3
6.3
381
32
349
317
31
286
407
39
368
1.9
1.2
2.0
1.5
1.1
1.6
2.0
1.4
2.1
976
2,036
1,194
1,248
697
1,701
1,009
1,062
930
2,141
1,337
1,276
3.9
4.4
3.8
4.3
2.8
3.6
3.2
3.6
3.7
4.5
4.3
4.3
INDUSTRY
Total private………………………………………………
Natural resources and mining………………………
Construction……………………………………………
Manufacturing…………………………………………
Durable goods...……………………………………
Nondurable goods...………………………………
Trade, transportation, and utilities…………………
Wholesale trade……………………………………
Retail trade…………………………………………
Transportation, warehousing, and utilities………
Information……………………………………………
Financial activities……..………………………………
Finance and insurance……………………………
Real estate and rental and leasing………………
Professional and business services…………………
Education and health services………………………
Educational services………………………………
Health care and social assistance………………
Leisure and hospitality………………...……………
Arts, entertainment, and recreation………………
Accommodations and food services……………
Other services…………………………………………
Government………………………………………………
Federal…………………………………………………
State and local…………….…………………………
REGION
Northeast………………………………………………
South……………………………………………………
Midwest…………………………………………………
West……………………………………………………
1
Total separations are the number of total separations during the entire month.
2
The total separations rate is the number of total separations during the entire month as a percent of total employment.
P
= preliminary.
NOTE: See NOTE, table 1.
Table 8. Quits levels1 and rates2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted
Levels (in thousands)
Industry and region
Total…………………………………………………………
Rates
Aug.
July
Aug.
Aug.
July
Aug.
2004
2005
2005p
2004
2005
2005p
3,120
2,730
3,576
2.4
2.0
2.7
2,934
10
195
234
141
93
722
80
558
83
66
136
93
44
451
321
35
287
658
63
596
140
2,583
9
164
227
140
87
597
82
439
76
48
104
77
26
400
293
34
259
593
60
533
148
3,358
12
253
272
166
107
844
92
636
117
68
160
109
52
467
362
50
312
721
66
654
199
2.6
1.7
2.7
1.6
1.6
1.7
2.8
1.4
3.7
1.7
2.1
1.7
1.5
2.1
2.7
1.9
1.4
2.0
5.0
3.0
5.4
2.6
2.3
1.5
2.2
1.6
1.6
1.6
2.3
1.4
2.9
1.5
1.5
1.3
1.3
1.2
2.3
1.7
1.4
1.8
4.4
2.8
4.7
2.7
3.0
1.8
3.3
1.9
1.8
2.0
3.3
1.6
4.2
2.4
2.1
1.9
1.8
2.3
2.7
2.1
2.0
2.1
5.4
3.2
5.8
3.6
185
13
172
148
14
134
218
21
197
.9
.5
1.0
.7
.5
.7
1.1
.8
1.1
481
1,171
699
769
414
1,106
574
636
570
1,398
788
820
1.9
2.5
2.3
2.7
1.6
2.3
1.8
2.2
2.2
2.9
2.5
2.8
INDUSTRY
Total private………………………………………………
Natural resources and mining………………………
Construction……………………………………………
Manufacturing…………………………………………
Durable goods...……………………………………
Nondurable goods...………………………………
Trade, transportation, and utilities…………………
Wholesale trade……………………………………
Retail trade…………………………………………
Transportation, warehousing, and utilities………
Information……………………………………………
Financial activities……..………………………………
Finance and insurance……………………………
Real estate and rental and leasing………………
Professional and business services…………………
Education and health services………………………
Educational services………………………………
Health care and social assistance………………
Leisure and hospitality………………...……………
Arts, entertainment, and recreation………………
Accommodations and food services……………
Other services…………………………………………
Government………………………………………………
Federal…………………………………………………
State and local…………….…………………………
REGION
Northeast………………………………………………
South……………………………………………………
Midwest…………………………………………………
West……………………………………………………
1
Quits are the number of quits during the entire month.
2
The quits rate is the number of quits during the entire month as a percent of total employment.
P
= preliminary.
NOTE: See NOTE, table 1.
Table 9. Layoffs and discharges levels1 and rates2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted
Levels (in thousands)
Rates
Industry and region
Total…………………………………………………………
Aug.
July
Aug.
Aug.
July
Aug.
2004
2005
2005p
2004
2005
2005p
1,984
1,442
1,771
1.5
1.1
1.3
1,853
7
268
203
148
54
305
77
163
64
19
80
49
32
357
163
35
128
304
100
205
146
1,335
5
144
122
82
40
290
45
198
47
23
46
26
20
395
110
21
89
156
21
135
44
1,636
9
248
155
109
45
342
51
230
61
18
53
43
10
281
143
22
121
250
113
137
138
1.7
1.1
3.7
1.4
1.6
1.0
1.2
1.4
1.1
1.3
.6
1.0
.8
1.5
2.1
1.0
1.5
.9
2.3
4.8
1.9
2.7
1.2
.7
1.9
.9
.9
.8
1.1
.8
1.3
1.0
.7
.6
.4
.9
2.3
.6
.8
.6
1.2
1.0
1.2
.8
1.4
1.4
3.3
1.1
1.2
.8
1.3
.9
1.5
1.2
.6
.6
.7
.4
1.6
.8
.9
.8
1.9
5.4
1.2
2.5
131
9
123
108
9
98
134
9
126
.6
.3
.7
.5
.3
.5
.7
.3
.7
416
747
419
403
236
490
350
366
302
616
483
369
1.7
1.6
1.3
1.4
.9
1.0
1.1
1.2
1.2
1.3
1.5
1.3
INDUSTRY
Total private………………………………………………
Natural resources and mining………………………
Construction……………………………………………
Manufacturing…………………………………………
Durable goods...……………………………………
Nondurable goods...………………………………
Trade, transportation, and utilities…………………
Wholesale trade……………………………………
Retail trade…………………………………………
Transportation, warehousing, and utilities………
Information……………………………………………
Financial activities……..………………………………
Finance and insurance……………………………
Real estate and rental and leasing………………
Professional and business services…………………
Education and health services………………………
Educational services………………………………
Health care and social assistance………………
Leisure and hospitality………………...……………
Arts, entertainment, and recreation………………
Accommodations and food services……………
Other services…………………………………………
Government………………………………………………
Federal…………………………………………………
State and local…………….…………………………
REGION
Northeast………………………………………………
South……………………………………………………
Midwest…………………………………………………
West……………………………………………………
1
Layoffs and discharges are the number of layoffs and discharges during the entire month.
2
The layoffs and discharges rate is the number of layoffs and discharges during the entire month as a percent of total employment.
P
= preliminary.
NOTE: See NOTE, table 1.
Table 10. Other separations levels1 and rates2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted
Levels (in thousands)
Rates
Industry and region
Total…………………………………………………………
Aug.
July
Aug.
Aug.
July
Aug.
2004
2005
2005p
2004
2005
2005p
351
297
336
.3
.2
.3
286
4
16
30
22
8
78
18
46
13
4
25
23
2
47
38
5
34
40
2
37
4
236
1
7
35
26
10
57
7
38
11
11
22
20
2
40
33
6
27
23
2
22
7
282
6
23
36
27
9
57
12
32
14
6
13
9
4
54
34
4
30
40
4
36
12
.3
.6
.2
.2
.2
.1
.3
.3
.3
.3
.1
.3
.4
.1
.3
.2
.2
.2
.3
.1
.3
.1
.2
.2
.1
.2
.3
.2
.2
.1
.3
.2
.3
.3
.3
.1
.2
.2
.2
.2
.2
.1
.2
.1
.2
.9
.3
.3
.3
.2
.2
.2
.2
.3
.2
.2
.1
.2
.3
.2
.2
.2
.3
.2
.3
.2
64
11
54
61
8
54
55
9
46
.3
.4
.3
.3
.3
.3
.3
.3
.3
79
119
76
77
47
105
84
61
58
127
65
87
.3
.3
.2
.3
.2
.2
.3
.2
.2
.3
.2
.3
INDUSTRY
Total private………………………………………………
Natural resources and mining………………………
Construction……………………………………………
Manufacturing…………………………………………
Durable goods...……………………………………
Nondurable goods...………………………………
Trade, transportation, and utilities…………………
Wholesale trade……………………………………
Retail trade…………………………………………
Transportation, warehousing, and utilities………
Information……………………………………………
Financial activities……..………………………………
Finance and insurance……………………………
Real estate and rental and leasing………………
Professional and business services…………………
Education and health services………………………
Educational services………………………………
Health care and social assistance………………
Leisure and hospitality………………...……………
Arts, entertainment, and recreation………………
Accommodations and food services……………
Other services…………………………………………
Government………………………………………………
Federal…………………………………………………
State and local…………….…………………………
REGION
Northeast………………………………………………
South……………………………………………………
Midwest…………………………………………………
West……………………………………………………
1
2
P
Other separations are the number of other separations during the entire month.
The other separations rate is the number of other separations during the entire month as a percent of total employment.
= preliminary.
NOTE: See NOTE, table 1.