In March, US job openings remained steady at 7.2 million, down 901,000 from a year earlier, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Hires held at 5.4 million, while total separations changed slightly to 5.1 million. Quits stayed flat at 3.3 million, and layoffs and discharges reached 1.6 million. Job openings declined in the federal government, while separations rose in state and local governments, excluding education. Revisions to February’s data showed slight decreases in job openings and hires, and a rise in total separations. Overall, the labor market showed minimal month-to-month movement. They write:
The number of job openings was little changed at 7.2 million in March, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the month, hires held at 5.4 million, and total separations changed little at 5.1 million. Within separations, quits (3.3 million) were unchanged and layoffs and discharges (1.6 million) edged down.
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 7.2 million in March but was down by 901,000 over the year. The job openings rate, at 4.3 percent, changed little over the month. The number of job openings decreased in federal government (-36,000).Hires
In March, the number and rate of hires were unchanged at 5.4 million and 3.4 percent, respectively. The number of hires was little changed in all industries in March.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 and rate of total separations in March were little changed at 5.1 million and 3.2 percent, respectively. Total separations increased in state and local government, excluding education (+28,000) but decreased in federal government (-8,000).
In March, the number of quits was unchanged at 3.3 million. The quits rate was little changed at 2.1 percent. Quits decreased in transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-49,000).
In March, the number of layoffs and discharges edged down to 1.6 million and the rate was little changed at 1.0 percent. Layoffs and discharges decreased in retail trade (-66,000) and in federal government (-11,000). Layoffs and discharges increased in state and local government, excluding education (+17,000).
The number of other separations was little changed at 247,000 in March.
Establishment Size Class
In March, 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.February 2025 Revisions
The number of job openings for February was revised down by 88,000 to 7.5 million, the number of hires was revised down by 26,000 to 5.4 million, and the number of total separations was revised up by 55,000 to 5.3 million. Within separations, the number of quits was revised up by 55,000 to 3.3 million, and the number of layoffs and discharges was revised down by 10,000 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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