1

Technical information: (202) 691-5870

 http://www.bls.gov/jlt/

Media contact: 691-5902

USDL 07-0671

For release: 10:00 A.M. EDT

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

JOB OPENINGS AND LABOR TURNOVER: MARCH 2007

On the last business day of March, there were 4.2 million job openings in the United States, and the job

openings rate was 2.9 percent, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported

today. The job openings and hires rates were unchanged, and the total separations rate was essentially unchanged in March. This release includes estimates of the number and rate of job openings, hires, and separations for the total nonfarm sector by industry and geographic region.

Job Openings

At 2.9 percent in March, the job openings rate has been essentially flat since November 2005. In

March, the job openings rate rose in professional and business services and fell in construction. None of the

regions experienced a significant over-the-month change in the job openings rate. The seasonally adjusted job

openings rate was highest in March for the following industries: accommodations and food services (4.1 percent), professional and business services (4.1 percent), and education and health services (3.6 percent). (See

table 1.)

Over the year, the job openings rate increased in nondurable goods manufacturing, wholesale trade, and

information. The rate decreased in finance and insurance and in educational services. The job openings rate

did not change significantly over the year in any of the regions. (See table 5.)

Chart 1. Job openings rate, seasonally adjusted,

 April 2004 - March 2007

1.5

1.7

1.9

2.1

2.3

2.5

2.7

2.9

3.1

3.3

3.5

3.7

3.9

Percent

2005 2006 2007

Chart 2. Hires and separations rates, seasonally adjusted,

 April 2004 - March 2007

2.5

2.7

2.9

3.1

3.3

3.5

3.7

3.9

Percent

Separations

Hires

2005 2006 2007
2

 Job openings

Industry

Table A. Job openings, hires, and total separations by industry, seasonally adjusted

Hires Total separations

Mar. Feb. Mar. Mar. Feb. Feb.

2006 2007 2006 2007 2007 2006 2007 2007

Levels (in thousands)

Rates (percent)

2007 p p p

Mar. Mar. Mar.

Total ....................................................................

Total private ................................................

Construction ...............................................

Manufacturing ............................................

Trade, transportation, and utilities ......

Retail trade................................................

Professional and business services

Education and health services .................

Leisure and hospitality ..........................

Accommodations and food services ..

Government ................................................

State and local government .....................

Total ....................................................................

Total private ...............................................

Construction ...............................................

Manufacturing ...........................................

Trade, transportation, and utilities .....

Retail trade ..............................................

Professional and business services .......

Education and health services ................

Leisure and hospitality .........................

Accommodations and food services ..

Government ................................................

1 Includes natural resources and mining, information, financial activities, and other services, not shown separately.

2

3

1

1

2

3

4

1

1

2

3

4

 Includes arts, entertainment, and recreation, not shown separately.

Includes wholesale trade and transportation, warehousing, and utilities, not shown separately.

 4 Includes federal government, not shown separately.

 p = preliminary.

Hires

The hires rate was unchanged at 3.5 percent in March. Hires are any additions to the payroll during the

month. In March, the hires rate fell in manufacturing and government. None of the regions experienced a

significant over-the-month change in the hires rate. The seasonally adjusted hires rate was highest in March in

accommodations and food services (6.4 percent). (See table 2.)

From March 2006 to March 2007, the hires rate rose in wholesale trade and educational services and

fell in retail trade; transportation, warehousing, and utilities; professional and business services; federal

government; and state and local government. Regionally, the hires rate decreased over the year in the

Northeast. (See table 6.)

Separations

The total separations, or turnover, rate was little changed at 3.4 percent in March. Separations are

terminations of employment that occur at any time during the month. In March, the only sector to experience

3,999 4,149 4,173 4,877 4,815 4,786 4,846 4,556 4,629

3,568 3,666 3,689 4,503 4,509 4,442 4,529 4,263 4,357

 155 229 139 372 298 371 423 322 330

 320 330 319 344 371 323 429 422 394

 663 660 679 1,082 1,018 1,002 965 943 951

 388 378 364 772 695 687 684 656 663

 682 642 756 904 953 851 853 862 877

 661 670 687 441 518 498 419 419 438

 525 566 550 846 934 881 810 835 820

 453 511 487 722 778 737 698 697 691

 421 482 482 377 379 330 322 294 265

 392 438 436 322 317 304 256 243 240

 2.9 2.9 2.9 3.6 3.5 3.5 3.6 3.3 3.4

 3.0 3.1 3.1 4.0 3.9 3.8 4.0 3.7 3.8

 2.0 2.9 1.8 4.8 3.9 4.8 5.5 4.2 4.3

 2.2 2.3 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.3 3.0 3.0 2.8

 2.5 2.4 2.5 4.1 3.9 3.8 3.7 3.6 3.6

 2.5 2.4 2.3 5.0 4.5 4.5 4.4 4.3 4.3

 3.8 3.5 4.1 5.2 5.3 4.8 4.9 4.8 4.9

 3.6 3.6 3.6 2.5 2.9 2.7 2.4 2.3 2.4

 3.9 4.0 3.9 6.5 7.0 6.6 6.2 6.2 6.1

 3.9 4.3 4.1 6.5 6.8 6.4 6.3 6.1 6.0

 1.9 2.1 2.1 1.7 1.7 1.5 1.5 1.3 1.2

State and local government ..................... 2.0 2.2 2.2 1.7 1.6 1.6 1.3 1.2 1.2
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a change in the separations rate was government, where the rate declined slightly. None of the regions experienced a significant change in the separations rate. From March 2006 to March 2007, the total separations

rate did not rise significantly in any industry; the rate declined in construction, other services, and federal government. Geographically, none of the regions experienced a significant change in the total separations rate

over the year. (See tables 3 and 7.)

Total separations include quits (voluntary separations), layoffs and discharges (involuntary separations),

and other separations (including retirements). The quits rate, which can serve as a barometer of workers’

ability to change jobs, was unchanged at 2.0 percent in March. Over the month, the quits rate rose in state

and local government; the rate did not fall in any industry. None of the regions experienced a significant

change in the quits rate over the month. In March, the seasonally adjusted quits rate was highest in the accommodations and food services industry (4.7 percent). (See table 4.)

Over the year, the quits rate rose in nondurable manufacturing; finance and insurance; and real estate and

rental and leasing. The quits rate fell over the year in construction, other services, and federal government.

Geographically, the quits rate declined over the year in the Northeast region. (See table 8.)

The other two components of total separations—layoffs and discharges, and other separations—are not

seasonally adjusted. For March, the layoffs and discharges rate (1.0 percent) and level (1.3 million) were

unchanged from a year earlier. As is typical in many months, the layoffs and discharges rate in March was

highest in construction (2.4 percent) and arts, entertainment, and recreation (2.2 percent). From March 2006

to March 2007, the other separations rate was essentially unchanged at 0.2 percent, and the level was little

changed at 288,000. (See tables 9 and 10.)

The total separations rate is driven by the relative contribution of its three components (quits, layoffs and

discharges, and other separations), with quits contributing the largest portion. The percentage of total separations attributable to quits has risen and fallen over time along with employment levels. The proportion of

quits fell from 61 percent in February 2001 to 51 percent in August 2003 (seasonally adjusted), and has

since risen. In March 2007, the percentage of quits was 58 percent.

Flows in the Labor Market

Hires and separations data help show dynamic flows in the labor market. For the 12 months ending in

March 2007, hires have averaged 4.9 million per month and separations have averaged 4.6 million per month

(not seasonally adjusted). The comparable figures for the prior 12-month period were 4.8 million hires and

4.6 million separations. (See the Technical Note for additional information on these measures.)

Several industries consistently have high rates of both hires and separations. These include construction;

retail trade; professional and business services; arts, entertainment, and recreation; and accommodations and

food services. In the 12 months ending in March 2007, these 5 industries produced 34.8 million hires and

32.8 million separations. Thus, these five industries accounted for 59 percent of total nonfarm hires and 59

percent of total nonfarm separations while comprising only 39 percent of total nonfarm employment.
4

For More Information

For additional information, please read the Technical Note or visit the JOLTS Web site at http://www.

bls.gov/jlt/. Additional information about JOLTS also may be obtained by e-mailing Joltsinfo@bls.gov or by

calling (202) 691-5870.

______________________________

The Job Openings and Labor Turnover release for April 2007 is scheduled to be issued on Tuesday,

June 12.
Technical Note

The data for the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey

(JOLTS) are collected and compiled monthly from a sample of

business establishments by the Bureau of Labor Statistics

(BLS).

Collection

Each month, data are collected in a survey of business

establishments for total employment, job openings, hires, quits,

layoffs and discharges, and other separations. Data collection

methods include computer-assisted telephone interviewing,

touchtone data entry, fax, and mail.

Coverage

The JOLTS program covers all private nonfarm

establishments such as factories, offices, and stores, as well as

federal, state, and local government entities in the 50 states and

the District of Columbia.

Concepts

Industry classification. The industry classifications in this

release are in accordance with the 2002 version of the North

American Industry Classification System (NAICS). In order to

ensure the highest possible quality of data, State Workforce

Agencies verify with employers and update, if necessary, the

industry code, location, and ownership classification of all

establishments on a 3-year cycle. Changes in establishment

characteristics resulting from the verification process are

always introduced into the JOLTS sampling frame with the data

reported for the first month of the year.

Employment. Employment includes persons on the payroll

who worked or received pay for the pay period that includes

the 12th day of the reference month. Full-time, part-time,

permanent, short-term, seasonal, salaried, and hourly

employees are included, as are employees on paid vacations or

other paid leave. Proprietors or partners of unincorporated

businesses, unpaid family workers, or persons on leave without

pay or on strike for the entire pay period, are not counted as

employed. Employees of temporary help agencies, employee

leasing companies, outside contractors, and consultants are

counted by their employer of record, not by the establishment

where they are working.

Job openings. Establishments submit job openings

information for the last business day of the reference month.

A job opening requires that: 1) a specific position exists and

there is work available for that position, 2) work could start

within 30 days regardless of whether a suitable candidate is

found, and 3) the employer is actively recruiting from outside

the establishment to fill the position. Included are full-time,

part-time, permanent, short-term, and seasonal openings.

Active recruiting means that the establishment is taking steps

to fill a position by advertising in newspapers or on the Internet,

posting help-wanted signs, accepting applications, or using

other similar methods.

Jobs to be filled only by internal transfers, promotions,

demotions, or recall from layoffs are excluded. Also excluded

are jobs with start dates more than 30 days in the future, jobs

for which employees have been hired but have not yet reported

for work, and jobs to be filled by employees of temporary help

agencies, employee leasing companies, outside contractors, or

consultants. The job openings rate is computed by dividing

the number of job openings by the sum of employment and job

openings and multiplying that quotient by 100.

Hires. Hires are the total number of additions to the payroll

occurring at any time during the reference month, including

both new and rehired employees, full-time and part-time,

permanent, short-term, and seasonal employees, employees

recalled to the location after a layoff lasting more than 7 days,

on-call or intermittent employees who returned to work after

having been formally separated, and transfers from other

locations. The hires count does not include transfers or

promotions within the reporting site, employees returning from

strike, employees of temporary help agencies or employee

leasing companies, outside contractors, or consultants. The

hires rate is computed by dividing the number of hires by

employment and multiplying that quotient by 100.

Separations. Separations are the total number of

terminations of employment occurring at any time during the

reference month, and are reported by type of separation—

quits, layoffs and discharges, and other separations. Quits are

voluntary separations by employees (except for retirements,

which are reported as other separations). Layoffs and

discharges are involuntary separations initiated by the

employer and include layoffs with no intent to rehire, formal

layoffs lasting or expected to last more than 7 days, discharges

resulting from mergers, downsizing, or closings, firings or other

discharges for cause, terminations of permanent or short-term

employees, and terminations of seasonal employees. Other

separations include retirements, transfers to other locations,

deaths, and separations due to disability. Separations do not

include transfers within the same location or employees on

strike.

The separations rate is computed by dividing the number of

separations by employment and multiplying that quotient by

100. The quits, layoffs and discharges, and other separations

rates are computed similarly, dividing the number by

employment and multiplying by 100.

Annual estimates. Annual estimates of rates and levels of

hires, quits, layoffs and discharges, other separations, and total

separations are released with the January news release each year.

The JOLTS annual level estimates for hires, quits, layoffs

and discharges, other separations, and total separations are

the sum of the 12 published monthly levels. The annual rate

estimates are computed by dividing the annual level by the

Current Employment Statistics (CES) annual average

employment level, and multiplying that quotient by 100. This

figure will be approximately equal to the sum of the 12 monthly

rates. Note that both the JOLTS and CES annual levels are

rounded to the nearest thousand before the annual estimates

are calculated. Consistent with BLS practices, annual estimates

will be published only for not seasonally adjusted data.
Annual estimates are not calculated for job openings

because job openings are a stock, or point-in-time,

measurement for the last business day of each month. Only

jobs still open on the last day of the month are counted. For

the same reason job openings cannot be cumulated throughout

each month, annual figures for job openings cannot be created

by summing the monthly estimates. Hires and separations are

flow measures and are cumulated over the month with a total

reported for the month. Therefore, the annual figures can be

created by summing the monthly estimates.

Sample methodology

The JOLTS sample design is a random sample of 16,000

nonfarm business establishments, including factories, offices,

and stores, as well as federal, state, and local governments in

the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The establishments

are drawn from a universe of over eight million establishments

compiled as part of the operations of the Quarterly Census of

Employment and Wages, or QCEW, program. This program

includes all employers subject to state Unemployment

Insurance (UI) laws and federal agencies subject to

Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE).

The sampling frame is stratified by ownership, region,

industry sector, and size class. Large firms fall into the sample

with virtual certainty. JOLTS total employment estimates are

controlled to the employment estimates of the Current

Employment Statistics (CES) survey. A ratio of CES to JOLTS

employment is used to adjust the levels for all other JOLTS data

elements. Rates are then computed from the adjusted levels.

Using JOLTS data

The JOLTS data series on job openings, hires, and

separations are relatively new. The full sample is divided into

panels, with one panel enrolled each month. A full complement

of panels for the original data series based on the 1987 Standard

Industrial Classification (SIC) system was not completely

enrolled in the survey until January 2002. The supplemental

panels of establishments needed to create NAICS estimates

were not completely enrolled until May 2003. The data

collected up until those points are from less than a full sample.

Therefore, estimates from earlier months should be used with

caution, as fewer sampled units were reporting data at that time.

In March 2002, BLS procedures for collecting hires and

separations data were revised to address possible

underreporting. As a result, JOLTS hires and separations

estimates for months prior to March 2002 may not be

comparable with estimates for March 2002 and later.

The federal government reorganization that involved

transferring approximately 180,000 employees to the new

Department of Homeland Security is not reflected in the JOLTS

hires and separations estimates for the federal government.

The Office of Personnel Management’s record shows these

transfers were completed in March 2003. The inclusion of

transfers in the JOLTS definitions of hires and separations is

intended to cover ongoing movements of workers between

establishments. The Department of Homeland Security

reorganization was a massive one-time event, and the inclusion

of these intergovernmental transfers would distort the federal

government time series.

Seasonal adjustment

BLS seasonally adjusts several JOLTS series using the

X-12-ARIMA seasonal adjustment program. Seasonal

adjustment is the process of estimating and removing periodic

fluctuations caused by events such as weather, holidays,

and the beginning and ending of the school year. Seasonal

adjustment makes it easier to observe fundamental changes in

the level of the series, particularly those associated with

general economic expansions and contractions. A concurrent

seasonal adjustment methodology is used in which new

seasonal adjustment factors are calculated each month, using

all relevant data, up to and including the data for the current

month.

Prior to the January 2007 benchmark release in March 2007,

seasonal adjustment of the JOLTS series was conducted using

the stable seasonal filter option since there were not enough data

observations available for the standard use of moving averages

as seasonal filters. Although the seasonal adjustment of the

JOLTS series is conducted with fewer data observations than is

customary, the number of observations is now above the minimum

required by X-12-ARIMA to use the normal seasonal filters.

Therefore, the standard use of moving averages as seasonal

filters is now in place for JOLTS seasonal adjustment. JOLTS

seasonal adjustment now includes both additive and

multiplicative seasonal adjustment models and REGARIMA

(regression with autocorrelated errors) modeling to improve the

seasonal adjustment factors at the beginning and end of the

series and to detect and adjust for outliers in the series. Due to

the improved diagnostics, three additional industries are now

seasonally adjusted: retail trade, accommodations and food

services, and state and local government. It is expected that more

series may be seasonally adjusted when more data are

available.

Reliability of the estimates

JOLTS estimates are subject to both sampling and

nonsampling error. When a sample rather than the entire

population is surveyed, there is a chance that the sample

estimates may differ from the “true” population values they

represent. The exact difference, or sampling error, varies

depending on the particular sample selected, and this

variability is measured by the standard error of the estimate.

BLS analysis is generally conducted at the 90-percent level of

confidence. That means that there is a 90-percent chance, or

level of confidence, that an estimate based on a sample will

differ by no more than 1.6 standard errors from the “true”
population value because of sampling error. Estimates of

sampling errors are available upon request.

The JOLTS estimates also are affected by nonsampling

error. Nonsampling error can occur for many reasons, including

the failure to include a segment of the population, the inability

to obtain data from all units in the sample, the inability or

unwillingness of respondents to provide data on a timely basis,

mistakes made by respondents, errors made in the collection or

processing of the data, and errors from the employment

benchmark data used in estimation.

JOLTS hires and separations estimates cannot be used to

exactly explain net changes in nonfarm payroll employment.

Some reasons why it is problematic to compare changes in

payroll employment with JOLTS hires and separations,

especially on a monthly basis, are: 1) the reference period for

payroll employment is the pay period including the 12th of the

month, while the reference period for hires and separations is

the calendar month; and 2) payroll employment can vary from

month to month simply because part-time and on-call workers

may not always work during the pay period that includes the

12th of the month. Additionally, research has found that some

reporters systematically underreport separations relative to

hires due to a number of factors, including the nature of their

payroll systems and practices. The shortfall appears to be

about 2 percent or less over a 12-month period.

Other information

Information in this release will be made available to sensory

impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: 202-691-5200;

TDD message referral phone: 1-800-877-8339.
Table 1. Job openings levels 1

 and rates 2 by industry and region, seasonally adjusted

Mar. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Mar. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar.

2006 2006 2006 2006 2007 2007 2007p 2006 2006 2006 2006 2007 2007 2007p

Total 4........................................................................................................... 3,999 4,157 4,200 4,401 4,222 4,149 4,173 2.9 3.0 3.0 3.1 3.0 2.9 2.9

INDUSTRY

Total private 4............................................................................................ 3,568 3,702 3,735 3,928 3,746 3,666 3,689 3.0 3.1 3.1 3.3 3.1 3.1 3.1

Construction........................................................................ 155 137 106 107 142 229 139 2.0 1.7 1.4 1.4 1.8 2.9 1.8

Manufacturing................................................................ 320 364 328 362 337 330 319 2.2 2.5 2.3 2.5 2.3 2.3 2.2

Trade, transportation, and utilities 5.............................. 663 658 671 767 727 660 679 2.5 2.4 2.5 2.8 2.7 2.4 2.5

Retail trade................................................................................. 388 370 417 471 413 378 364 2.5 2.4 2.7 3.0 2.6 2.4 2.3

Professional and business services......................... 682 709 705 745 707 642 756 3.8 3.9 3.8 4.0 3.8 3.5 4.1

Education and health services................................................. 661 749 713 734 707 670 687 3.6 4.0 3.8 3.9 3.8 3.6 3.6

Leisure and hospitality 6...................................................... 525 579 625 612 552 566 550 3.9 4.2 4.5 4.4 4.0 4.0 3.9

Accommodations and food services......................... 453 487 528 538 495 511 487 3.9 4.1 4.4 4.5 4.1 4.3 4.1

Government 7......................................................................................... 421 460 463 473 477 482 482 1.9 2.0 2.0 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1

State and local government.................................................................................... 392 423 427 427 439 438 436 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2

REGION 8

Northeast......................................................................... 662 760 772 849 733 717 707 2.5 2.9 2.9 3.2 2.8 2.7 2.7

South............................................................................................... 1,618 1,649 1,572 1,674 1,653 1,631 1,648 3.2 3.3 3.1 3.3 3.2 3.2 3.2

Midwest......................................................................................... 733 769 770 810 822 783 783 2.3 2.4 2.4 2.5 2.5 2.4 2.4

West...................................................................................... 998 989 1,034 1,044 1,005 1,011 1,035 3.2 3.1 3.3 3.3 3.2 3.2 3.3

1

 Job openings are the number of job openings on the last business day of the 

8

 The States (including the District of Columbia) that comprise the 

month. regions are: Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New

 2 The job openings rate is the number of job openings on the last business day Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and 

of the month as a percent of total employment plus job openings. Vermont; South: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, 

 

3

 Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent seasonal Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, 

adjustment of the various series. Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, 

 

4

 Includes natural resources and mining, information, financial activities, and Virginia, and West Virginia; Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, 

other services, not shown separately. Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South 

 

5

 Includes wholesale trade and transportation, warehousing, and utilities, not Dakota, and Wisconsin; West: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, 

shown separately. Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, 

 

6

 Includes arts, entertainment, and recreation, not shown separately. and Wyoming.

 

7

 Includes federal government, not shown separately. p = preliminary.

Table 2. Hires levels 1

 and rates 2 by industry and region, seasonally adjusted

Mar. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Mar. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar.

2006 2006 2006 2006 2007 2007 2007p 2006 2006 2006 2006 2007 2007 2007p

Total 4........................................................................................................... 4,877 4,983 4,994 4,959 4,959 4,815 4,786 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.5 3.5

INDUSTRY

Total private 4............................................................................................ 4,503 4,616 4,665 4,662 4,607 4,509 4,442 4.0 4.0 4.1 4.1 4.0 3.9 3.8

Construction........................................................................ 372 345 395 341 299 298 371 4.8 4.5 5.1 4.4 3.9 3.9 4.8

Manufacturing................................................................ 344 366 363 375 369 371 323 2.4 2.6 2.6 2.7 2.6 2.6 2.3

Trade, transportation, and utilities 5.............................. 1,082 1,008 1,012 990 1,020 1,018 1,002 4.1 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.9 3.9 3.8

Retail trade................................................................................. 772 713 737 699 757 695 687 5.0 4.7 4.8 4.6 4.9 4.5 4.5

Professional and business services......................... 904 994 1,010 963 954 953 851 5.2 5.6 5.7 5.4 5.4 5.3 4.8

Education and health services................................................. 441 529 492 515 508 518 498 2.5 2.9 2.7 2.8 2.8 2.9 2.7

Leisure and hospitality 6...................................................... 846 893 903 969 956 934 881 6.5 6.7 6.8 7.2 7.1 7.0 6.6

Accommodations and food services......................... 722 758 748 793 825 778 737 6.5 6.7 6.6 6.9 7.2 6.8 6.4

Government 7......................................................................................... 377 363 348 371 384 379 330 1.7 1.6 1.6 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.5

State and local government.................................................................................... 322 320 303 313 321 317 304 1.7 1.7 1.6 1.6 1.7 1.6 1.6

REGION 8

Northeast......................................................................... 830 727 713 768 833 709 704 3.3 2.8 2.8 3.0 3.2 2.8 2.7

South............................................................................................... 1,798 1,969 1,979 1,900 1,899 1,837 1,836 3.7 4.0 4.0 3.9 3.9 3.7 3.7

Midwest......................................................................................... 1,061 1,097 1,061 1,150 1,167 1,184 1,093 3.4 3.5 3.4 3.6 3.7 3.7 3.4

West...................................................................................... 1,142 1,198 1,249 1,209 1,142 1,156 1,145 3.8 3.9 4.1 3.9 3.7 3.8 3.7

 1 Hires are the number of hires during the entire month. 5

 Includes wholesale trade and transportation, warehousing, and utilities, 

 2 The hires rate is the number of hires during the entire month as a percent of not shown separately.

total employment. 6

 Includes arts, entertainment, and recreation, not shown separately.

3

 Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent seasonal 7 Includes federal government, not shown separately.

adjustment of the various series. 8

 See footnote 8, table 1. 

4

 Includes natural resources and mining, information, financial activities, and p = preliminary.

other services, not shown separately.

Industry and region

Industry and region

Levels Rates 3 (in thousands)

Levels 3 (in thousands) Rates
Table 3. Total separations levels 1

 and rates 2 by industry and region, seasonally adjusted

Mar. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Mar. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar.

2006 2006 2006 2006 2007 2007 2007p 2006 2006 2006 2006 2007 2007 2007p

Total 4........................................................................................................... 4,846 4,613 4,844 4,540 4,602 4,556 4,629 3.6 3.4 3.5 3.3 3.4 3.3 3.4

INDUSTRY

Total private 4............................................................................................ 4,529 4,323 4,543 4,253 4,296 4,263 4,357 4.0 3.8 4.0 3.7 3.7 3.7 3.8

Construction........................................................................ 423 373 413 387 400 322 330 5.5 4.8 5.4 5.0 5.2 4.2 4.3

Manufacturing................................................................ 429 359 360 372 399 422 394 3.0 2.5 2.5 2.6 2.8 3.0 2.8

Trade, transportation, and utilities 5.............................. 965 987 1,020 962 973 943 951 3.7 3.8 3.9 3.7 3.7 3.6 3.6

Retail trade................................................................................. 684 688 719 707 680 656 663 4.4 4.5 4.7 4.6 4.4 4.3 4.3

Professional and business services......................... 853 921 974 851 894 862 877 4.9 5.2 5.5 4.8 5.0 4.8 4.9

Education and health services................................................. 419 424 430 430 423 419 438 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.3 2.3 2.4

Leisure and hospitality 6...................................................... 810 791 838 835 768 835 820 6.2 6.0 6.3 6.2 5.7 6.2 6.1

Accommodations and food services......................... 698 673 721 757 612 697 691 6.3 5.9 6.3 6.6 5.4 6.1 6.0

Government 7......................................................................................... 322 298 305 283 309 294 265 1.5 1.3 1.4 1.3 1.4 1.3 1.2

State and local government.................................................................................... 256 248 256 255 254 243 240 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.2

REGION 8

Northeast......................................................................... 699 745 707 670 740 675 659 2.8 2.9 2.8 2.6 2.9 2.6 2.6

South............................................................................................... 1,858 1,709 2,011 1,796 1,783 1,763 1,782 3.8 3.5 4.1 3.7 3.6 3.6 3.6

Midwest......................................................................................... 1,030 1,072 985 1,054 1,034 1,054 1,010 3.3 3.4 3.1 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.2

West...................................................................................... 1,168 1,081 1,079 1,036 1,037 1,041 1,104 3.9 3.5 3.5 3.4 3.4 3.4 3.6

 1 Total separations are the number of total separations during the entire and other services, not shown separately.

month. 5

 Includes wholesale trade and transportation, warehousing, and utilities, 

 2 The total separations rate is the number of total separations during the not shown separately.

entire month as a percent of total employment. 6

 Includes arts, entertainment, and recreation, not shown separately.

3

 Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent 7 Includes federal government, not shown separately.

seasonal adjustment of the various series. 8

 See footnote 8, table 1. 

4

 Includes natural resources and mining, information, financial activities, p = preliminary.

Table 4. Quits levels 1 and rates 2 by industry and region, seasonally adjusted

Mar. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Mar. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar.

2006 2006 2006 2006 2007 2007 2007p 2006 2006 2006 2006 2007 2007 2007p

Total 4........................................................................................................... 2,797 2,655 2,774 2,759 2,648 2,705 2,706 2.1 1.9 2.0 2.0 1.9 2.0 2.0

INDUSTRY

Total private 4............................................................................................ 2,632 2,513 2,625 2,615 2,505 2,571 2,560 2.3 2.2 2.3 2.3 2.2 2.2 2.2

Construction........................................................................ 196 137 144 143 141 120 115 2.5 1.8 1.9 1.9 1.8 1.6 1.5

Manufacturing................................................................ 206 196 211 222 229 212 223 1.4 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.6 1.5 1.6

Trade, transportation, and utilities 5.............................. 601 593 661 597 594 606 573 2.3 2.3 2.5 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.2

Retail trade................................................................................. 442 438 472 438 422 438 401 2.9 2.9 3.1 2.9 2.7 2.9 2.6

Professional and business services......................... 437 475 486 497 498 486 461 2.5 2.7 2.7 2.8 2.8 2.7 2.6

Education and health services................................................. 271 274 278 289 271 280 277 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.6 1.5 1.5 1.5

Leisure and hospitality 6...................................................... 564 542 565 602 489 579 590 4.3 4.1 4.2 4.5 3.7 4.3 4.4

Accommodations and food services......................... 518 496 520 560 448 531 542 4.7 4.4 4.6 4.9 3.9 4.6 4.7

Government 7......................................................................................... 154 144 147 146 150 139 141 .7 .7 .7 .7 .7 .6 .6

State and local government.................................................................................... 127 124 125 130 129 117 130 .7 .6 .6 .7 .7 .6 .7

REGION 8

Northeast......................................................................... 379 359 409 367 355 322 331 1.5 1.4 1.6 1.4 1.4 1.3 1.3

South............................................................................................... 1,179 1,101 1,167 1,171 1,099 1,152 1,139 2.4 2.2 2.4 2.4 2.2 2.3 2.3

Midwest......................................................................................... 612 604 543 559 595 599 599 2.0 1.9 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.9 1.9

West...................................................................................... 625 592 645 638 602 629 635 2.1 1.9 2.1 2.1 2.0 2.0 2.1

 1 Quits are the number of quits during the entire month. 5

 Includes wholesale trade and transportation, warehousing, and utilities, 

 2 The quits rate is the number of quits during the entire month as a not shown separately.

percent of total employment. 6

 Includes arts, entertainment, and recreation, not shown separately.

3

 Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent 7 Includes federal government, not shown separately.

seasonal adjustment of the various series. 8

 See footnote 8, table 1. 

4

 Includes natural resources and mining, information, financial activities, p = preliminary.

and other services, not shown separately.

Industry and region

Industry and region

Levels 3 (in thousands) Rates

Levels 3 (in thousands) Rates
Table 5. Job openings levels 1

 and rates 2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted

Mar. Feb. Mar. Mar. Feb. Mar.

2006 2007 2007p 2006 2007 2007p

Total........................................................................................................... 4,100 3,967 4,259 3.0 2.8 3.0

INDUSTRY

Total private............................................................................................ 3,688 3,521 3,788 3.2 3.0 3.2

Natural resources and mining................................................... 14 12 13 2.2 1.7 1.8

Construction...................................................................................................... 163 209 145 2.2 2.8 1.9

Manufacturing..................................................................................... 337 341 333 2.3 2.4 2.3

Durable goods.............................................................................. 234 208 205 2.5 2.3 2.2

Nondurable goods....................................................................... 103 132 128 2.0 2.5 2.4

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................................................... 671 594 683 2.5 2.2 2.5

Wholesale trade........................................................................... 158 132 194 2.6 2.2 3.2

Retail trade................................................................................. 383 323 351 2.5 2.1 2.3

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...................... 130 140 138 2.6 2.7 2.7

Information...................................................................................... 123 150 156 3.9 4.6 4.8

Financial activities........................................................................... 304 214 240 3.5 2.5 2.8

Finance and insurance..................................................................................... 246 176 186 3.8 2.7 2.9

Real estate and rental and leasing................................... 58 38 54 2.6 1.7 2.4

Professional and business services........................................ 657 627 735 3.7 3.5 4.0

Education and health services................................................................. 679 657 697 3.7 3.5 3.7

Educational services................................................................ 75 60 55 2.4 1.9 1.7

Health care and social assistance.................................. 603 597 642 3.9 3.8 4.0

Leisure and hospitality.................................................................. 599 541 622 4.5 4.0 4.5

Arts, entertainment, and recreation..................................... 78 56 69 4.3 3.1 3.7

Accommodations and food services............................... 520 485 553 4.5 4.2 4.7

Other services................................................................................. 140 176 164 2.5 3.2 2.9

Government......................................................................................... 412 447 471 1.8 1.9 2.0

Federal................................................................................................ 36 49 53 1.3 1.8 1.9

State and local.................................................................................... 376 397 418 1.9 2.0 2.1

REGION 3

Northeast......................................................................................... 651 666 680 2.5 2.5 2.6

South............................................................................................... 1,684 1,607 1,723 3.4 3.2 3.4

Midwest................................................................................................. 769 741 816 2.4 2.3 2.5

West....................................................................................................... 996 953 1,040 3.2 3.0 3.3

1

 Job openings are the number of job openings on the last business day of the month.

 2 The job openings rate is the number of job openings on the last business day of the month as a percent of total employment 

plus job openings.

3 See footnote 8, table 1.

 p = preliminary.

Levels (in thousands) Rates

Industry and region
Table 6. Hires levels 1

 and rates 2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted

Mar. Feb. Mar. Mar. Feb. Mar.

2006 2007 2007p 2006 2007 2007p

Total........................................................................................................... 4,724 4,068 4,587 3.5 3.0 3.4

INDUSTRY

Total private............................................................................................ 4,457 3,796 4,358 4.0 3.3 3.8

Natural resources and mining................................................... 22 21 20 3.4 3.1 2.8

Construction...................................................................................................... 409 237 407 5.6 3.3 5.5

Manufacturing..................................................................................... 357 351 335 2.5 2.5 2.4

Durable goods.............................................................................. 217 200 193 2.4 2.3 2.2

Nondurable goods....................................................................... 140 150 141 2.7 2.9 2.8

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................................................... 1,040 806 966 4.0 3.1 3.7

Wholesale trade........................................................................... 125 125 166 2.1 2.1 2.8

Retail trade................................................................................. 750 539 662 5.0 3.6 4.4

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...................... 165 142 138 3.3 2.8 2.7

Information...................................................................................... 67 59 69 2.2 1.9 2.3

Financial activities........................................................................... 197 181 184 2.4 2.2 2.2

Finance and insurance..................................................................................... 133 117 114 2.2 1.9 1.8

Real estate and rental and leasing................................... 64 64 71 3.0 2.9 3.3

Professional and business services........................................ 888 871 831 5.2 5.0 4.7

Education and health services................................................................. 408 448 455 2.3 2.5 2.5

Educational services................................................................ 41 69 42 1.3 2.2 1.3

Health care and social assistance.................................. 367 379 413 2.5 2.5 2.7

Leisure and hospitality.................................................................. 917 743 917 7.2 5.8 7.0

Arts, entertainment, and recreation..................................... 130 84 132 7.4 4.8 7.3

Accommodations and food services............................... 787 659 785 7.2 5.9 7.0

Other services................................................................................. 152 81 175 2.8 1.5 3.2

Government......................................................................................... 267 272 229 1.2 1.2 1.0

Federal................................................................................................ 43 49 22 1.6 1.8 .8

State and local.................................................................................... 223 223 208 1.1 1.1 1.0

REGION 3

Northeast......................................................................................... 761 506 643 3.0 2.0 2.5

South............................................................................................... 1,808 1,625 1,823 3.7 3.3 3.7

Midwest................................................................................................. 1,087 974 1,054 3.5 3.1 3.3

West....................................................................................................... 1,068 962 1,067 3.5 3.2 3.5

 1 Hires are the number of hires during the entire month.

 2 The hires rate is the number of hires during the entire month as a percent of total employment.

3 See footnote 8, table 1.

 p = preliminary.

Levels (in thousands) Rates

Industry and region
Table 7. Total separations levels 1

 and rates 2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted

Mar. Feb. Mar. Mar. Feb. Mar.

2006 2007 2007p 2006 2007 2007p

Total........................................................................................................... 4,291 3,752 4,127 3.2 2.8 3.0

INDUSTRY

Total private............................................................................................ 4,066 3,554 3,951 3.6 3.1 3.5

Natural resources and mining................................................... 27 20 20 4.1 2.8 2.9

Construction...................................................................................................... 398 271 297 5.4 3.8 4.0

Manufacturing..................................................................................... 428 378 397 3.0 2.7 2.8

Durable goods.............................................................................. 239 234 235 2.7 2.6 2.6

Nondurable goods....................................................................... 189 145 162 3.7 2.8 3.2

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................................................... 870 805 848 3.4 3.1 3.2

Wholesale trade........................................................................... 145 105 138 2.5 1.8 2.3

Retail trade................................................................................. 606 574 574 4.0 3.8 3.8

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...................... 119 126 135 2.4 2.5 2.7

Information...................................................................................... 60 69 76 2.0 2.2 2.5

Financial activities........................................................................... 210 201 240 2.5 2.4 2.8

Finance and insurance..................................................................................... 130 133 160 2.1 2.1 2.6

Real estate and rental and leasing................................... 79 67 79 3.7 3.1 3.7

Professional and business services........................................ 834 729 860 4.8 4.2 4.9

Education and health services................................................................. 380 337 401 2.1 1.8 2.2

Educational services................................................................ 42 44 34 1.4 1.4 1.1

Health care and social assistance.................................. 339 293 367 2.3 1.9 2.4

Leisure and hospitality.................................................................. 667 625 677 5.3 4.9 5.2

Arts, entertainment, and recreation..................................... 65 83 80 3.7 4.7 4.4

Accommodations and food services............................... 602 542 597 5.5 4.9 5.3

Other services................................................................................. 192 119 135 3.5 2.2 2.5

Government......................................................................................... 225 198 176 1.0 .9 .8

Federal................................................................................................ 50 46 16 1.9 1.7 .6

State and local.................................................................................... 175 152 160 .9 .8 .8

REGION 3

Northeast......................................................................................... 582 518 540 2.3 2.0 2.1

South............................................................................................... 1,703 1,495 1,626 3.5 3.1 3.3

Midwest................................................................................................. 944 884 916 3.0 2.8 2.9

West....................................................................................................... 1,063 856 1,045 3.5 2.8 3.4

 1 Total separations are the number of total separations during the entire month.

 2 The total separations rate is the number of total separations during the entire month as a percent of total employment.

3 See footnote 8, table 1.

 p = preliminary.

Levels (in thousands) Rates

Industry and region
Table 8. Quits levels 1

 and rates 2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted

Mar. Feb. Mar. Mar. Feb. Mar.

2006 2007 2007p 2006 2007 2007p

Total........................................................................................................... 2,572 2,201 2,503 1.9 1.6 1.8

INDUSTRY

Total private............................................................................................ 2,454 2,102 2,395 2.2 1.9 2.1

Natural resources and mining................................................... 14 11 13 2.1 1.6 1.8

Construction...................................................................................................... 184 88 103 2.5 1.2 1.4

Manufacturing..................................................................................... 203 182 224 1.4 1.3 1.6

Durable goods.............................................................................. 125 95 128 1.4 1.1 1.4

Nondurable goods....................................................................... 79 86 96 1.5 1.7 1.9

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................................................... 565 505 524 2.2 1.9 2.0

Wholesale trade........................................................................... 82 75 96 1.4 1.3 1.6

Retail trade................................................................................. 412 365 364 2.7 2.4 2.4

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...................... 71 65 64 1.4 1.3 1.3

Information...................................................................................... 42 37 51 1.4 1.2 1.7

Financial activities........................................................................... 117 117 160 1.4 1.4 1.9

Finance and insurance..................................................................................... 87 87 108 1.4 1.4 1.7

Real estate and rental and leasing................................... 30 30 52 1.4 1.4 2.4

Professional and business services........................................ 465 397 474 2.7 2.3 2.7

Education and health services................................................................. 251 229 256 1.4 1.3 1.4

Educational services................................................................ 20 19 20 .7 .6 .7

Health care and social assistance.................................. 231 210 236 1.6 1.4 1.5

Leisure and hospitality.................................................................. 466 453 497 3.7 3.5 3.8

Arts, entertainment, and recreation..................................... 34 31 37 1.9 1.7 2.0

Accommodations and food services............................... 432 422 460 4.0 3.8 4.1

Other services................................................................................. 147 84 92 2.7 1.5 1.7

Government......................................................................................... 118 99 107 .5 .4 .5

Federal................................................................................................ 21 15 7 .8 .6 .3

State and local.................................................................................... 97 84 100 .5 .4 .5

REGION 3

Northeast......................................................................................... 335 237 287 1.3 .9 1.1

South............................................................................................... 1,077 961 1,044 2.2 2.0 2.1

Midwest................................................................................................. 570 486 565 1.8 1.5 1.8

West....................................................................................................... 591 517 607 2.0 1.7 2.0

 1 Quits are the number of quits during the entire month.

 2 The quits rate is the number of quits during the entire month as a percent of total employment.

3 See footnote 8, table 1.

 p = preliminary.

Levels (in thousands) Rates

Industry and region
Table 9. Layoffs and discharges levels 1

 and rates 2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted

Mar. Feb. Mar. Mar. Feb. Mar.

2006 2007 2007p 2006 2007 2007p

Total........................................................................................................... 1,371 1,275 1,336 1.0 0.9 1.0

INDUSTRY

Total private............................................................................................ 1,311 1,229 1,299 1.2 1.1 1.1

Natural resources and mining................................................... 10 5 5 1.5 .7 .7

Construction...................................................................................................... 192 170 173 2.6 2.4 2.4

Manufacturing..................................................................................... 185 161 138 1.3 1.1 1.0

Durable goods.............................................................................. 85 108 82 .9 1.2 .9

Nondurable goods....................................................................... 100 52 56 1.9 1.0 1.1

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................................................... 220 240 243 .8 .9 .9

Wholesale trade........................................................................... 40 25 38 .7 .4 .6

Retail trade................................................................................. 149 171 155 1.0 1.1 1.0

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...................... 31 44 50 .6 .9 1.0

Information...................................................................................... 13 29 17 .4 .9 .6

Financial activities........................................................................... 70 70 66 .8 .8 .8

Finance and insurance..................................................................................... 33 38 44 .5 .6 .7

Real estate and rental and leasing................................... 37 32 21 1.7 1.5 1.0

Professional and business services........................................ 305 286 340 1.8 1.6 1.9

Education and health services................................................................. 105 89 119 .6 .5 .7

Educational services................................................................ 18 20 13 .6 .6 .4

Health care and social assistance.................................. 88 68 107 .6 .5 .7

Leisure and hospitality.................................................................. 178 154 161 1.4 1.2 1.2

Arts, entertainment, and recreation..................................... 30 51 40 1.7 2.9 2.2

Accommodations and food services............................... 148 104 120 1.4 .9 1.1

Other services................................................................................. 32 25 37 .6 .5 .7

Government......................................................................................... 60 46 37 .3 .2 .2

Federal................................................................................................ 13 11 3 .5 .4 .1

State and local.................................................................................... 47 35 34 .2 .2 .2

REGION 3

Northeast......................................................................................... 190 226 188 .8 .9 .7

South............................................................................................... 527 436 469 1.1 .9 1.0

Midwest................................................................................................. 312 346 303 1.0 1.1 1.0

West....................................................................................................... 341 268 376 1.1 .9 1.2

 1 Layoffs and discharges are the number of layoffs and discharges during the entire month.

 2 The layoffs and discharges rate is the number of layoffs and discharges during the entire month as a percent of total 

employment.

3 See footnote 8, table 1.

 p = preliminary.

Levels (in thousands) Rates

Industry and region
Table 10. Other separations levels 1

 and rates 2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted

Mar. Feb. Mar. Mar. Feb. Mar.

2006 2007 2007p 2006 2007 2007p

Total........................................................................................................... 348 276 288 0.3 0.2 0.2

INDUSTRY

Total private............................................................................................ 301 223 257 .3 .2 .2

Natural resources and mining................................................... 3 3 3 .5 .5 .4

Construction...................................................................................................... 22 12 21 .3 .2 .3

Manufacturing..................................................................................... 40 36 35 .3 .3 .2

Durable goods.............................................................................. 29 30 26 .3 .3 .3

Nondurable goods....................................................................... 11 6 9 .2 .1 .2

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................................................... 85 60 81 .3 .2 .3

Wholesale trade........................................................................... 24 5 4 .4 .1 .1

Retail trade................................................................................. 45 38 55 .3 .3 .4

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...................... 17 18 22 .3 .4 .4

Information...................................................................................... 5 3 8 .1 .1 .2

Financial activities........................................................................... 23 14 14 .3 .2 .2

Finance and insurance..................................................................................... 10 8 8 .2 .1 .1

Real estate and rental and leasing................................... 12 6 6 .6 .3 .3

Professional and business services........................................ 64 46 45 .4 .3 .3

Education and health services................................................................. 25 19 26 .1 .1 .1

Educational services................................................................ 4 4 1 .1 .1 (

4

)

Health care and social assistance.................................. 21 15 25 .1 .1 .2

Leisure and hospitality.................................................................. 23 18 19 .2 .1 .1

Arts, entertainment, and recreation..................................... 2 2 2 .1 .1 .1

Accommodations and food services............................... 22 16 16 .2 .1 .1

Other services................................................................................. 12 11 6 .2 .2 .1

Government......................................................................................... 47 53 31 .2 .2 .1

Federal................................................................................................ 16 20 5 .6 .7 .2

State and local.................................................................................... 30 33 26 .2 .2 .1

REGION 3

Northeast......................................................................................... 56 55 65 .2 .2 .3

South............................................................................................... 99 98 113 .2 .2 .2

Midwest................................................................................................. 62 53 48 .2 .2 .2

West....................................................................................................... 130 71 62 .4 .2 .2

 1 Other separations are the number of other separations during the entire month.

 2 The other separations rate is the number of other separations during the entire month as a percent of total employment.

3 See footnote 8, table 1.

 

4

 Data round to zero.

 p = preliminary.

Levels (in thousands) Rates

Industry and region