In February, job opening rates fell in 4 states and rose in 1, while hire rates declined in 3 states and rose in 3, reports the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Total separation rates dropped in 7 states and increased in 1. Nationally, job openings, hires, and separations showed little or no change. The report highlights minor regional shifts but overall labor market stability across most states. They write:
Job openings rates decreased in 4 states and increased in 1 state in February, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the month, hires rates decreased in 3 states and increased in 3 states. Total separations rates decreased in 7 states and increased in 1 state. Nationally, the job openings, hires, and total separations rates showed little or no change in February.
This release includes estimates of the number and rate of job openings, hires, total separations, quits, and layoffs and discharges for the total nonfarm sector and for all states and the District of Columbia. 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
Job openings rates decreased in 4 states, increased in 1 state, and were little changed in 45 states and the District of Columbia in February. The decreases in job openings rates occurred in Arizona (-2.0 percentage points) and Vermont (-1.2 points), as well as in Kentucky and West Virginia (-1.1 points each). The increase occurred in New Jersey (+0.9 point). Over the month, the national job openings rate changed little.
The number of job openings decreased in 6 states, increased in 2 states, and changed little in 42 states and the District of Columbia in February. The largest decreases in the job openings level occurred in Arizona (-71,000), Virgina (-30,000), and Kentucky (-25,000). The increases occurred in New Jersey (+43,000) and Oklahoma (+14,000). Nationally, the number of job openings changed little.
Hires
In February, hires rates decreased in 3 states, increased in 3 states, and were little changed in 44 states and the District of Columbia. The decreases in the hires rates occurred in Vermont (-1.3 percentage points), Tennessee (-1.0 point), and Texas (-0.7 point). The increases occurred in Florida (+1.3 points), New Mexico (+0.9 point), and Kentucky (+0.8 point). The national hires rate was unchanged over the month.
The number of hires increased in 5 states, decreased in 3 states, and was little changed in 42 states and the District of Columbia in February. The largest increases in the hires level occurred in Florida (+135,000), Kentucky (+17,000), and Mississippi (+9,000). The decreases occurred in Texas (-100,000), Tennessee (-31,000), and Vermont (-4,000). Nationally, the number of hires was unchanged over the month.
Total Separations
In February, total separations rates decreased in 7 states, increased in 1 state, and were little changed in 42 states and the District of Columbia. The largest decreases I n total separations rates occurred in Rhode Island (-3.1 percentage points) as well as in Kansas and Vermont (-1.0 point each). The increase occurred in Massachusetts (+1.2 points). Over the month, the national total separations rate was unchanged.
The number of total separations decreased in 6 states, increased in 1 state, and changed little in 43 states and the District of Columbia in February. The largest decreases in the total separations level occurred in Ohio (-32,000), Tennessee (-27,000), and Rhode Island (-16,000). The increase occurred in Massachusetts (+46,000). Nationally, the number of total separations was unchanged over the month.
Quits
In February, quits rates decreased in 2 states, increased in 1 state, and were little changed in 47 states and the District of Columbia. The decreases in quits rates occurred in Tennessee (-0.9 percentage point), and Colorado (-0.6 point). The increase occurred in South Dakota (+0.7 point). Over the month, the national quits rate was unchanged.
The number of quits decreased in 2 states and was little changed in 48 states and the District of Columbia in February. The decreases in the quits level occurred in Tennessee (-30,000) and Colorado (-16,000). Nationally, the number of quits changed little.
Layoffs and Discharges In February, layoffs and discharges rates increased in 2 states, decreased in 2 states, and were little changed in 46 states and the District of Columbia. The increases in layoffs and discharges rates occurred in Alaska (+1.2 percentage points) and Massachusetts (+1.1 points). The decreases occurred in Rhode Island (-2.5 points) and Kansas (-0.4 point). The national layoffs and discharges rate was unchanged over the month.
The number of layoffs and discharges increased in 4 states, decreased in 2 states, and changed little in 44 states and the District of Columbia in February. The largest increases in the layoffs and discharges level occurred in Massachusetts (+44,000), Florida (+29,000), and Nevada (+9,000). The decreases occurred in Rhode Island (-13,000) and Kansas (-6,000). Nationally, the number of layoffs and discharges was little changed.
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