Job Openings and Labor Turnover: August 2025

Historical release narrative reproduced from the official public-domain source. Statistical tables, standard technical appendices, administrative material and attendance rosters are omitted; formatting is adapted for reading. Figures retain the release's historical context and may have been revised. Consult the linked source for the complete document.

The number of job openings was unchanged at 7.2 million in August, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the month, both hires and total separations were little changed at 5.1 million. Within separations, both quits (3.1 million) and layoffs and discharges (1.7 million) were little changed.

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 unchanged at 7.2 million and 4.3 percent, respectively, in August. The number of job openings decreased in construction (-115,000) and in federal government (-61,000). (See table 1.)

Hires

In August, the number and rate of hires were little changed at 5.1 million and 3.2 percent, respectively. Hires were little changed in all industries. (See table 2.)

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.

In August, the number and rate of total separations were little changed at 5.1 million and 3.2 percent, respectively. The number of total separations decreased in accommodation and food services (-113,000) and in arts, entertainment, and recreation (-48,000). Total separations increased in state and local government, excluding education (+27,000). (See table 3.)

In August, the number and rate of quits were little changed at 3.1 million and 1.9 percent, respectively. The number of quits decreased in accommodation and food services (-140,000) and in arts, entertainment, and recreation (-22,000). Quits increased in construction (+56,000). (See table 4.)

The number of layoffs and discharges in August was little changed at 1.7 million and the rate remained unchanged at 1.1 percent. Layoffs and discharges decreased in wholesale trade (-36,000) and in federal government (-4,000). (See table 5.)

The number of other separations was little changed at 295,000 in August. (See table 6.)

Establishment Size Class

In August, establishments with 1 to 9 employees and establishments with 5,000 or more employees showed little or no change in job openings, hires, and separations rates. (See table 7.)

July 2025 Revisions

The number of job openings for July was revised up by 27,000 to 7.2 million, the number of hires was revised down by 68,000 to 5.2 million, and the number of total separations was revised down by 68,000 to 5.2 million. Within separations, the number of quits was revised down by 42,000 to 3.2 million, and the number of layoffs and discharges was revised down by 21,000 to 1.8 million. (Monthly revisions result from additional reports received from businesses and government agencies since the last published estimates and from the recalculation of seasonal factors.)