US job openings held steady at 7.8 million in May, with little change in hiring (5.5 million) and separations (5.2 million), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Quits (3.3 million) and layoffs (1.6 million) also remained stable. Job openings rose notably in accommodation and food services and finance, but fell in the federal government. Revisions to April data slightly increased prior estimates for openings, hires, and separations. Overall, the labor market showed minimal movement, signaling continued stability. They write:
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.
The number of total separations in May was little changed at 5.2 million. The total separations rate remained unchanged for the fifth month in a row at 3.3 percent. Total separations decreased in finance and insurance (-42,000).
In May, the number and rate of quits were little changed at 3.3 million and 2.1 percent, respectively. The number of quits was little changed in all industries in May.
In May, the number and rate of layoffs and discharges were little changed at 1.6 million and 1.0 percent, respectively. Layoffs and discharges decreased in finance and insurance (-47,000).
The number of other separations was little changed at 349,000 in May.
Establishment Size Class
In May, the layoffs and discharges rate decreased for establishments with 1 to 9 employees, while the job openings, hires, quits, and total separations rates showed little change. For establishments with 5,000 or more employees, all rates showed little or no change.
April 2025 Revisions
The number of job openings for April was revised up by 4,000 to 7.4 million, the number of hires was revised up by 42,000 to 5.6 million, and the number of total separations was revised up by 25,000 to 5.3 million. Within separations, the number of quits was revised up by 21,000 to 3.2 million, and the number of layoffs and discharges was revised up by 3,000 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.)
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