May Job Openings and Labor Turnover for 2025 – USBLS
The number of job openings was little changed at 7.8 million in May, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the month, both hires and total separations were little changed at 5.5 million and 5.2 million, respectively. Within separations, quits (3.3 million) and layoffs and discharges (1.6 million) changed little. This release includes estimates of the number and rate of job openings, hires, and separations for the total nonfarm sector, by industry, and by establishment size class. Job openings include all positions that are open on the last business day of the month. Hires and separations include all changes to the payroll during the entire month.
Job Openings
The number and rate of job openings were little changed at 7.8 million and 4.6 percent, respectively, in May. The number of job openings increased in accommodation and food services (+314,000) and in
finance and insurance (+91,000). The number of job openings decreased in federal government
(-39,000).
Hires
In May, the number and rate of hires were little changed at 5.5 million and 3.4 percent, respectively. The number of hires decreased in federal government (-11,000).
Separations
Total separations include quits, layoffs and discharges, and other separations. Quits are generally voluntary separations initiated by the employee. Therefore, the quits rate can serve as a measure of
workers’ willingness or ability to leave jobs. Layoffs and discharges are involuntary separations initiated by the employer. Other separations include separations due to retirement, death, disability, and transfers
to other locations of the same firm.