November job openings and hires change little; total separations unchanged
The number of job openings was little changed at 7.1 million in November. Hires were little changed and total separations were unchanged at 5.1 million each.

Economic News Release USDL-26-0017
Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary
For release 10:00 a.m. (ET) Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Technical information: (202) 691-5870 • JoltsInfo@bls.gov • www.bls.gov/jlt
Media contact: (202) 691-5902 • PressOffice@bls.gov

JOB OPENINGS AND LABOR TURNOVER – NOVEMBER 2025

The number of job openings was little changed at 7.1 million in November, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the month, hires were little changed and total separations were unchanged at 5.1 million each. Within separations, both quits (3.2 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 of job openings was little changed at 7.1 million in November but was down by 885,000 over the year. The job openings rate, at 4.3 percent, changed little over the month. The number of job openings decreased in accommodation and food services (-148,000); transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-108,000); and wholesale trade (-63,000). Job openings increased in construction (+90,000). (See table 1.)

Hires

In November, the number and rate of hires were little changed at 5.1 million and 3.2 percent, respectively. The number of hires decreased in state and local government, excluding education (-39,000) and in state and local government education (-31,000). 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 November, the number and rate of total separations were unchanged at 5.1 million and 3.2 percent, respectively. The number of total separations decreased in state and local government, excluding education (-27,000). (See table 3.)

In November, the number and rate of quits were little changed at 3.2 million and 2.0 percent, respectively. The number of quits increased in accommodation and food services (+208,000). (See table 4.)

The number and rate of layoffs and discharges in November were little changed at 1.7 million and 1.1 percent, respectively. The number of layoffs and discharges decreased in accommodation and food services (-107,000); health care and social assistance (-52,000); and state and local government, excluding education (-26,000). (See table 5.)

The number of other separations was little changed at 232,000, marking a series low. (See table 6.)

Establishment Size Class

In November, 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.)

October 2025 Revisions

The number of job openings for October was revised down by 221,000 to 7.4 million, the number of hires was revised up by 219,000 to 5.4 million, and the number of total separations was revised up by 19,000 to 5.1 million. Within separations, the number of quits was revised up by 32,000 to 3.0 million, the number of layoffs and discharges was revised down by 4,000 to 1.9 million, and the number of other separations was revised down by 9,000 to 246,000. For October, revisions were larger than normal since the alignment procedure was suspended for October preliminary data. (Monthly revisions result from additional reports received from businesses and government agencies since the last published estimates and from the recalculation of seasonal factors.)
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The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey estimates for December 2025 are scheduled to be released on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. (ET).