Job Openings and Labor Turnover: May 2026

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 7.6 million in May, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Hires were unchanged at 5.2 million, while total separations changed little at 5.1 million. Within separations, quits (3.1 million) changed little, while layoffs and discharges (1.7 million) were unchanged.

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 7.6 million and 4.6 percent, respectively, in May. The number of job openings increased in wholesale trade (+71,000). (See table 1.)

Hires

The number and rate of hires were unchanged at 5.2 million and 3.3 percent, respectively, in May. Hires increased in federal government (+11,000). (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 May, the number of total separations changed little at 5.1 million, while the rate was unchanged at 3.2 percent. Total separations changed little in all industries. (See table 3.)

In May, the number of quits changed little at 3.1 million, while the rate was unchanged at 1.9 percent. Quits increased in federal government (+4,000). (See table 4.)

The number of layoffs and discharges was unchanged at 1.7 million, while the rate changed little at 1.1 percent in May. Layoffs and discharges decreased in arts, entertainment, and recreation (-42,000). (See table 5.)

The number of other separations was unchanged at 328,000 in May. (See table 6.)

Establishment Size Class

In May, 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.)

April 2026 Revisions

The number of job openings for April was revised down by 33,000 to 7.6 million, the number of hires was revised up by 99,000 to 5.2 million, and the number of total separations was revised up by 60,000 to 5.0 million. Within separations, the number of quits was revised up by 66,000 to 3.0 million, and the number of layoffs and discharges was revised down by 25,000 to 1.7 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.)

The Job Openings and Labor Turnover news release for June 2026 is scheduled to be published on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. (ET).