For release 10:00 a.m. (EST) Tuesday, November 9, 2010 USDL-10-1545

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 – SEPTEMBER 2010

There were 2.9 million job openings on the last business day of September, the U.S. Bureau of Labor 

Statistics reported today. The job openings rate was little changed over the month at 2.2 percent. The 

hires rate and separations rate both remained at 3.2 percent in September. 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

The number of job openings in September was 2.9 million, which was little changed from August. 

Although the month-to-month change is small, the number of job openings in September was 25 percent

higher than the number at the most recent series trough in July 2009. (See table 1.) This trough 

immediately followed the end of the recession in June 2009 (as designated by the National Bureau of 

Economic Research). Even with the gains since July 2009, the number of job openings in September 

remained below the 4.4 million jobs open when the recession began in December 2007. 

The number of job openings in September (not seasonally adjusted) increased from 12 months earlier for 

total nonfarm and total private. The level was little changed over the year for government overall but 

increased for federal government. Over the year, the job openings level decreased in two industries and 

increased in four industries. The job openings level was essentially unchanged over the year in 3 of the 4 

regions but increased in the West. (See table 5.) 

1.6

1.8

2.0

2.2

2.4

2.6

2.8

3.0

3.2

3.4

3.6

3.8

4.0

Percent

2008 2009 2010

Chart 1. Job openings rate, seasonally adjusted,

October 2007 - September 2010

NOTE: The shaded area represents the recession that began in Dec. 2007 and ended in June 2009

as designated by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). 

2.6

2.8

3.0

3.2

3.4

3.6

3.8

4.0

4.2

Percent

2008 2009 2010

Chart 2. Hires and separations rates, seasonally adjusted,

October 2007 - September 2010

Hires

Separations

NOTE: The shaded area represents the recession that began in Dec. 2007 and ended in June 2009

as designated by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). 
- 2 - 

Hires

In September, the hires rate remained at 3.2 percent for total nonfarm and the rate was essentially 

unchanged for all industries and regions. There were 4.2 million hires during the month, 9 percent

higher than the most recent series trough in June 2009. (See table 2.) This trough coincided with the 

official end of the recession. Despite the gains since June 2009, the number of hires in September 

remained below the 5.0 million hires when the recession began in December 2007. Since their respective 

troughs, the hires level has risen at a slower pace than the job openings level.

Over the 12 months ending in September, the hires rate (not seasonally adjusted) was little changed for 

total nonfarm and total private but fell slightly for government. The hires rate increased over the past 12 

months in finance and insurance and in professional and business services. (See table 6.) 

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

Industry Sept. Aug. Sept. Sept. Aug. Sept. Sept. Aug. Sept.

2009 2010 2010p 2009 2010 2010p 2009 2010 2010p

Total ......................................................2,624 3,092 2,929 4,091 4,156 4,190 4,274 4,210 4,190

Total private 1....................................... 2,333 2,752 2,594 3,833 3,891 3,943 3,990 3,796 3,807

Construction....................................... 73 65 73 349 357 340 415 321 345

Manufacturing.................................... 139 190 194 271 274 248 313 279 251

Trade, transportation, and utilities 2......... 415 449 457 854 798 843 916 814 817

Retail trade..................................... 282 263 259 566 571 592 605 583 570

Professional and business services......... 446 590 537 698 831 848 705 808 820

Education and health services............... 573 487 496 532 492 504 503 454 479

Leisure and hospitality ........................ 305 381 323 693 688 720 677 663 680

Arts, entertainment, and recreation...... 27 41 38 121 109 121 86 106 108

Accommodation and food services...... 278 340 285 572 579 600 591 557 572

Government 3..................................... 292 341 335 258 264 247 284 414 383

 State and local government.................. 232 257 238 236 228 217 267 267 275

Total ...................................................... 2.0 2.3 2.2 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.3 3.2 3.2

Total private 1....................................... 2.1 2.5 2.3 3.6 3.6 3.7 3.7 3.5 3.5

Construction....................................... 1.2 1.1 1.3 6.0 6.4 6.1 7.1 5.7 6.1

Manufacturing.................................... 1.2 1.6 1.6 2.3 2.3 2.1 2.7 2.4 2.1

Trade, transportation, and utilities 2......... 1.7 1.8 1.8 3.4 3.2 3.4 3.7 3.3 3.3

Retail trade.................................... 1.9 1.8 1.8 3.9 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.0 3.9

Professional and business services......... 2.7 3.4 3.1 4.3 5.0 5.1 4.3 4.8 4.9

Education and health services............... 2.9 2.4 2.5 2.8 2.5 2.6 2.6 2.3 2.4

Leisure and hospitality ........................ 2.3 2.8 2.4 5.3 5.2 5.5 5.2 5.0 5.2

Arts, entertainment, and recreation...... 1.4 2.1 1.9 6.3 5.7 6.3 4.4 5.5 5.6

Accommodation and food services...... 2.4 2.9 2.5 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.3 5.0 5.1

Government 3..................................... 1.3 1.5 1.5 1.1 1.2 1.1 1.3 1.8 1.7

 State and local government.................. 1.2 1.3 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.1 1.4 1.4 1.4

 1 Includes mining and logging, information, financial activities, and other services, not show n separately.

 2 Includes w holesale trade and transportation, w arehousing, and utilities, not show n separately.

 3 Includes federal government, not show n separately.

 p = preliminary.

Rates (percent)

Job openings Hires Total separations

Levels (in thousands)
- 3 - 

Separations 

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

separations), and other separations (including retirements). The total separations, or turnover, rate in 

September was little changed for total nonfarm, total private, and government. Over the 12 months 

ending in September, the total separations rate (not seasonally adjusted) was little changed for total 

nonfarm and total private but increased for government. The rise in government separations was due 

largely to separations of temporary Census 2010 workers. (See tables 3 and 7.) 

The quits rate can serve as a measure of workers’ willingness or ability to change jobs. In September, 

the quits rate was little changed for total nonfarm (1.6 percent), total private (1.8 percent), and 

government (0.6 percent) and in every industry and region. (See table 4.) After falling by 1.4 million 

from its November 2006 peak to its September 2009 trough, the number of quits rose by 326,000 

between September 2009 and September 2010. 

Over the 12 months ending in September, the quits rate (not seasonally adjusted) increased for total 

nonfarm and total private and in many industries as well as in the South region. (See table 8.) 

The layoffs and discharges component of total separations is seasonally adjusted at the total nonfarm, 

total private, and government levels. The layoffs and discharges level was essentially unchanged in 

September for total nonfarm and total private but fell slightly for government. The number of layoffs 

and discharges for total nonfarm peaked at 2.6 million in January 2009, falling to 1.8 million in 

September 2010. In government, the number of layoffs and discharges in September (203,000) was 

higher than when the recession began in December 2007 (117,000) due mostly to the release of 

temporary Census 2010 workers. (See table B below.)

The layoffs and discharges level (not seasonally adjusted) declined over the 12 months ending in 

September for total nonfarm and total private. The layoffs and discharges level increased over the year

in federal government reflecting the layoffs of temporary Census 2010 workers. The layoffs and 

discharges level declined over the year in many industries and in the Northeast, South, and West 

regions. (See table 9.)

The other separations series is not seasonally adjusted. In September, there were 358,000 other 

separations for total nonfarm, 289,000 for total private, and 69,000 for government. Compared to 

September 2009, the number of other separations was little changed for total nonfarm and total private; 

the number increased over the year for government due to a rise in the number in state and local 

government. (See table 10.) 

Table B. Layoffs and discharges, seasonally adjusted

Sept. Aug. Sept. Sept. Aug. Sept.

2009 2010 2010p 2009 2010 2010p

Total...............................................................2,241 1,861 1,792 1.7 1.4 1.4

Total private...................................................2,097 1,623 1,589 2.0 1.5 1.5

Government................................................... 143 239 203 0.6 1.1 0.9

 p = preliminary.

Industry

Levels (in thousands) Rates (percent)
- 4 - 

Relative Contributions to Separations 

The total separations level is influenced by the relative contribution of its three components—quits, 

layoffs and discharges, and other separations. The percentage of total separations at the total nonfarm 

level attributable to the individual components has varied over time, but for the majority of the months 

since the series began in December 2000, the proportion of quits has exceeded the proportion of layoffs 

and discharges. Other separations is historically a very small portion of total separations; it has rarely 

been above 10 percent of the total.

Since February 2010, the proportions of quits and layoffs and discharges at the total nonfarm level have 

been close. In September 2010, the proportion of quits for total nonfarm was 49 percent and the 

proportion of layoffs and discharges was 43 percent. For total private, the proportions were 50 percent 

quits and 42 percent layoffs and discharges. For government, the proportions were 32 percent quits and 

53 percent layoffs and discharges. The proportion of layoffs and discharges in government has been

elevated in parts of 2009 and 2010 due to layoffs of temporary Census 2010 workers. (See table C 

below.) 

Net Change in Employment

Over the 12 months ending in September, hires (not seasonally adjusted) totaled 50.5 million and 

separations (not seasonally adjusted) totaled 50.2 million, yielding a net employment gain of nearly 0.3 

million. Of these hires and separations, nearly half occurred in three industries: retail trade; professional 

and business services; and accommodation and food services. 

The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey results for October 2010 are scheduled to be 

released on Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. (EST). 

Table C. Quits and layoffs and discharges as a percentage of total separations, seasonally adjusted

(Levels in thousands)

Level

Portion 

of total Level

Portion 

of total Level

Portion 

of total Level

Portion 

of total Level

Portion 

of total Level

Portion 

of total

Total .................................... 1,716 40% 1,998 47% 2,042 49% 2,241 52% 1,861 44% 1,792 43%

Total private...........................1,616 41% 1,881 50% 1,918 50% 2,097 53% 1,623 43% 1,589 42%

Government........................... 100 35% 117 28% 124 32% 143 50% 239 58% 203 53%

 p = preliminary.

Industry

Quits Layoffs and discharges

Sept.

2009

Aug.

2010

Sept.

2010p

Sept.

2009

Aug.

2010

Sept.

2010p
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

 In a monthly survey of business establishments, data 

are collected for total employment, job openings, hires, 

quits, layoffs and discharges, and other separations. 

Data collection methods include computer-assisted 

telephone interviewing, touchtone data entry, web, fax, 

e-mail, 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 2007 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. Fulltime, 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 fulltime, 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, fulltime 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 are 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.

Special collection procedures

 An implied measure of employment change can be 

derived from the JOLTS data by subtracting separations from hires for a given month. Aggregating 

these monthly changes historically produced employment levels that overstated employment change as 

measured by CES at the total nonfarm level. Research 

into this problem showed that a significant amount of 

the divergence between the CES employment levels 

and the derived JOLTS employment levels was traceable to the Employment Services industry and to the 

State Government Education industry. In the former 

industry, businesses have a difficult time reporting 

hires and separations of temporary help workers. In 

the latter industry, employers have difficulty reporting 

hires and separations of student workers. BLS now devotes additional resources to the collection, editing, and 

review of data for these industries. BLS analysts more 

closely examine reported data that do not provide a 

consistent picture over time, and re-contact the 

respondents as necessary. Analysts work with the 

respondents to adjust their reporting practices as 

possible. Units that cannot be reconciled but are clearly incorrect on a consistent basis are not used; they are 

replaced by imputed values using standard techniques.

Sample and estimation methodology

 The JOLTS survey 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 9.1 million establishments compiled 

as part of the operations of the Quarterly Census of 

Employment and Wages (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. The JOLTS sample is 

constructed from individual panels of sample units 

drawn on an annual basis. The full annual sample consists of one certainty panel composed of only large 

units selected with virtual certainty based on their size 

and 24 non-certainty panels. Each month a new noncertainty panel is rolled into collection, and the oldest 

non-certainty panel is rolled out. This means that at 

any given time the JOLTS sample is constructed from 

panels from three different annual sampling frames. 

The entire sample of old plus new panels is poststratified and re-weighted annually to represent the 

most recent sampling frame. Additionally, the out-ofbusiness establishments are removed from the old 

panels. The annual sample is supplemented with a 

quarterly sample of birth establishments (i.e., new 

establishments) to better reflect the impact of younger 

establishments in the JOLTS sample.

 JOLTS total employment estimates are benchmarked 

monthly 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. 

JOLTS business birth/death model

 As with any sample survey, the JOLTS sample can 

only be as current as its sampling frame. The time lag 

from the birth of an establishment until its appearance 

on the sampling frame is approximately one year. In 

addition, many of these new units may fail within the 

first year. Since these universe units cannot be reflected on the sampling frame immediately, the JOLTS 

sample cannot capture job openings, hires, and sepa-
rations from these units during their early existence. 

BLS has developed a model to estimate birth/death 

activity for current months by examining the birth/

death activity from previous years on the QCEW and 

projecting forward to the present using an econometric 

technique known as X-12 ARIMA modeling. The 

birth/death model also uses historical JOLTS data to 

estimate the amount of “churn” (hires and separations) 

that exists in establishments of various sizes. The 

model then combines the estimated churn with the 

projected employment change to estimate the number 

of hires and separations taking place in these units that 

cannot be measured through sampling. 

 The model-based estimate of total separations is 

distributed to the three components—quits; layoffs and 

discharges; and other separations—in proportion to 

their contribution to the sample-based estimate of total 

separations. Additionally, job openings for the modeled units are estimated by computing the ratio of 

openings to hires in the collected data and applying that 

ratio to the modeled hires. The estimates of job openings, hires, and separations produced by the birth/death 

model are then added to the sample-based estimates 

produced from the survey to arrive at the estimates for 

openings, hires, and separations.

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.

 JOLTS uses moving averages as seasonal filters in 

seasonal adjustment. JOLTS seasonal adjustment 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.

Alignment procedure

 JOLTS hires minus separations should be comparable 

to the CES net employment change. However, definitional differences as well as sampling and nonsampling errors between the two surveys historically 

caused JOLTS to diverge from CES over time. To limit 

the divergence, and improve the quality of the JOLTS 

hires and separations series, BLS implemented the 

Monthly Alignment Method. The Monthly Alignment Method applies the CES employment trends to 

the seasonally adjusted JOLTS implied employment 

trend (hires minus separations) forcing them to be 

approximately the same, while preserving the seasonality of the JOLTS data. First, the two series are 

seasonally adjusted and the difference between the 

JOLTS implied employment trend and the CES net 

employment change is calculated. Next, the JOLTS 

implied employment trend is adjusted to equal the CES 

net employment change through a proportional adjustment. This proportional adjustment procedure adjusts 

the two components (hires, separations) proportionally 

to their contribution to the total churn (hires plus separations). For example, if hires are 40 percent of the 

churn for a given month, they will receive 40 percent 

of the needed adjustment and separations will receive 

60 percent of the needed adjustment. The adjusted hires 

and separations are converted back to not seasonally 

adjusted data by reversing the application of the original seasonal factors. After the Monthly Alignment 

Method has been used to adjust the level estimates, rate 

estimates are computed from the adjusted levels. The 

monthly alignment procedure assures a close match of 

the JOLTS implied employment trend with the CES 

trend. The CES series is considered a highly accurate 

measure of net employment change owing to its very 

large sample size and annual benchmarking to universe 

counts of employment from the QCEW program.

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 to 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.

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.

Other information

 Information in this release will be made available to 

sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice 

phone: (202) 691-5200; Federal Relay Service: (800) 

877-8339.
Table 1. Job openings levels 1

 and rates 2 by industry and region, seasonally adjusted

Sept. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Sept. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept.

2009 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010p 2009 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010p

Total......................................................2,624 3,302 2,939 2,864 3,141 3,092 2,929 2.0 2.5 2.2 2.1 2.4 2.3 2.2

INDUSTRY

Total private 4.......................................2,333 2,675 2,597 2,537 2,821 2,752 2,594 2.1 2.4 2.4 2.3 2.5 2.5 2.3

Construction.................................... 73 88 79 53 101 65 73 1.2 1.5 1.4 .9 1.8 1.1 1.3

Manufacturing................................. 139 195 205 226 238 190 194 1.2 1.7 1.7 1.9 2.0 1.6 1.6

Trade, transportation, and utilities 5...... 415 456 452 449 485 449 457 1.7 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.9 1.8 1.8

Retail trade................................. 282 292 274 284 295 263 259 1.9 2.0 1.9 1.9 2.0 1.8 1.8

Professional and business services...... 446 550 601 514 564 590 537 2.7 3.2 3.5 3.0 3.3 3.4 3.1

Education and health services............ 573 561 512 487 515 487 496 2.9 2.8 2.6 2.4 2.6 2.4 2.5

Leisure and hospitality ........................ 305 274 288 317 365 381 323 2.3 2.1 2.2 2.4 2.7 2.8 2.4

Arts, entertainment, and recreation... 27 24 41 55 42 41 38 1.4 1.3 2.1 2.8 2.1 2.1 1.9

Accommodation and food services... 278 250 247 263 323 340 285 2.4 2.2 2.2 2.3 2.8 2.9 2.5

Government 6....................................... 292 627 342 327 320 341 335 1.3 2.7 1.5 1.4 1.4 1.5 1.5

State and local government............... 232 260 237 238 246 257 238 1.2 1.3 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.3 1.2

REGION 7

Northeast....................................... 532 678 657 631 639 666 559 2.1 2.7 2.6 2.5 2.5 2.6 2.2

South............................................. 952 1,080 1,078 982 1,100 1,159 1,058 2.0 2.2 2.2 2.0 2.3 2.4 2.2

Midwest.......................................... 565 664 568 604 617 647 547 1.9 2.2 1.9 2.0 2.0 2.1 1.8

West............................................. 566 821 689 632 696 730 685 1.9 2.8 2.3 2.1 2.4 2.5 2.3

1

 Job openings are the number of job openings on the last business day of the 7

 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, Maryland, Mississippi, North 

adjustment of the various series and because not all series are shown. Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and 

 4 Includes mining and logging, information, financial activities, and West Virginia; Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, 

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

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

shown separately. Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and 

 6 Includes federal government, not shown separately. Wyoming.

 p = preliminary.

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

Sept. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Sept. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept.

2009 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010p 2009 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010p

Total......................................................4,091 4,292 4,581 4,250 4,275 4,156 4,190 3.2 3.3 3.5 3.3 3.3 3.2 3.2

INDUSTRY

Total private 4.......................................3,833 3,935 3,846 3,946 3,985 3,891 3,943 3.6 3.7 3.6 3.7 3.7 3.6 3.7

Construction.................................... 349 349 321 289 361 357 340 6.0 6.2 5.7 5.2 6.4 6.4 6.1

Manufacturing................................. 271 305 266 267 297 274 248 2.3 2.6 2.3 2.3 2.5 2.3 2.1

Trade, transportation, and utilities 5...... 854 856 819 876 864 798 843 3.4 3.5 3.3 3.5 3.5 3.2 3.4

Retail trade................................. 566 593 567 589 608 571 592 3.9 4.1 3.9 4.1 4.2 4.0 4.1

Professional and business services...... 698 780 805 825 810 831 848 4.3 4.7 4.8 4.9 4.8 5.0 5.1

Education and health services............ 532 496 479 523 515 492 504 2.8 2.5 2.5 2.7 2.6 2.5 2.6

Leisure and hospitality ........................ 693 711 678 691 712 688 720 5.3 5.4 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.2 5.5

Arts, entertainment, and recreation... 121 127 105 127 119 109 121 6.3 6.7 5.5 6.7 6.2 5.7 6.3

Accommodation and food services... 572 584 573 564 593 579 600 5.1 5.2 5.1 5.0 5.3 5.2 5.3

Government 6....................................... 258 357 735 304 289 264 247 1.1 1.6 3.2 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.1

State and local government............... 236 248 246 247 247 228 217 1.2 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.1

REGION 7

Northeast....................................... 731 695 844 718 731 702 785 3.0 2.8 3.4 2.9 3.0 2.8 3.2

South............................................. 1,518 1,585 1,681 1,505 1,531 1,541 1,574 3.2 3.4 3.6 3.2 3.2 3.3 3.3

Midwest.......................................... 926 1,012 1,090 1,013 1,011 946 929 3.1 3.4 3.7 3.4 3.4 3.2 3.1

West............................................. 954 870 1,014 923 923 870 931 3.3 3.0 3.5 3.2 3.2 3.0 3.2

 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 federal government, not shown separately. 3

 Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent seasonal 7 See footnote 7, table 1. 

adjustment of the various series and because not all series are shown. p

 = preliminary. 4

 Includes mining and logging, information, financial activities, and 

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

Sept. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Sept. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept.

2009 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010p 2009 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010p

Total................................................... 4,274 4,013 4,146 4,436 4,390 4,210 4,190 3.3 3.1 3.2 3.4 3.4 3.2 3.2

INDUSTRY

Total private 4.................................... 3,990 3,726 3,816 3,884 3,940 3,796 3,807 3.7 3.5 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.5 3.5

Construction.................................... 415 345 340 314 361 321 345 7.1 6.1 6.1 5.6 6.5 5.7 6.1

Manufacturing................................. 313 249 238 260 271 279 251 2.7 2.1 2.0 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.1

Trade, transportation, and utilities 5...... 916 803 800 874 855 814 817 3.7 3.2 3.2 3.5 3.5 3.3 3.3

Retail trade................................. 605 551 574 604 613 583 570 4.2 3.8 4.0 4.2 4.2 4.0 3.9

Professional and business services...... 705 733 806 777 830 808 820 4.3 4.4 4.8 4.7 5.0 4.8 4.9

Education and health services............ 503 475 446 493 491 454 479 2.6 2.4 2.3 2.5 2.5 2.3 2.4

Leisure and hospitality ..................... 677 684 707 668 701 663 680 5.2 5.2 5.4 5.1 5.3 5.0 5.2

Arts, entertainment, and recreation... 86 114 122 113 121 106 108 4.4 6.0 6.5 5.9 6.3 5.5 5.6

Accommodation and food services... 591 570 585 555 580 557 572 5.3 5.1 5.2 5.0 5.2 5.0 5.1

Government 6.................................... 284 287 331 552 450 414 383 1.3 1.3 1.4 2.4 2.0 1.8 1.7

State and local government............... 267 248 263 275 268 267 275 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4

REGION 7

Northeast....................................... 744 690 734 748 775 731 688 3.0 2.8 3.0 3.0 3.1 3.0 2.8

South............................................. 1,598 1,427 1,521 1,606 1,533 1,602 1,585 3.4 3.0 3.2 3.4 3.3 3.4 3.4

Midwest.......................................... 948 948 988 981 1,018 930 976 3.2 3.2 3.3 3.3 3.4 3.1 3.3

West............................................. 1,037 944 920 928 929 889 928 3.6 3.3 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.1 3.2

 1 Total separations are the number of total separations during the entire 5

 Includes wholesale trade and transportation, warehousing, and utilities 

month. not shown separately. 2 The total separations rate is the number of total separations during the 6

 Includes federal government, not shown separately.

entire month as a percent of total employment. 7

 See footnote 7, table 1. 3

 Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent p = preliminary.

seasonal adjustment of the various series and because not all series are shown. 4

 Includes mining and logging, information, financial activities, 

and other services, not shown separately.

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

Sept. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Sept. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept.

2009 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010p 2009 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010p

Total................................................... 1,716 1,972 1,929 1,951 1,974 1,998 2,042 1.3 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.6

INDUSTRY

Total private 4.................................... 1,616 1,871 1,828 1,819 1,855 1,881 1,918 1.5 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.8

Construction.................................... 77 67 64 67 72 81 84 1.3 1.2 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5

Manufacturing................................. 90 99 96 105 97 107 102 .8 .8 .8 .9 .8 .9 .9

Trade, transportation, and utilities 5...... 387 442 438 443 451 425 450 1.6 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.7 1.8

Retail trade................................. 285 330 338 331 347 322 345 2.0 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.4 2.2 2.4

Professional and business services...... 265 323 330 325 357 385 379 1.6 1.9 2.0 1.9 2.1 2.3 2.3

Education and health services............ 270 299 254 268 258 249 254 1.4 1.5 1.3 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.3

Leisure and hospitality ..................... 345 419 428 373 401 407 407 2.6 3.2 3.3 2.8 3.1 3.1 3.1

Arts, entertainment, and recreation... 14 40 39 26 31 36 39 .7 2.1 2.0 1.4 1.6 1.9 2.0

Accommodation and food services... 331 379 390 347 370 370 368 3.0 3.4 3.5 3.1 3.3 3.3 3.3

Government 6.................................... 100 101 101 131 119 117 124 .4 .4 .4 .6 .5 .5 .6

State and local government............... 96 93 88 105 100 101 111 .5 .5 .4 .5 .5 .5 .6

REGION 7

Northeast....................................... 245 332 286 341 318 333 279 1.0 1.3 1.2 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.1

South............................................. 659 744 736 796 749 791 828 1.4 1.6 1.6 1.7 1.6 1.7 1.8

Midwest.......................................... 359 442 496 438 475 452 409 1.2 1.5 1.7 1.5 1.6 1.5 1.4

West............................................. 371 429 433 437 404 425 402 1.3 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.4 1.5 1.4

 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 federal government, not shown separately. 3

 Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent 7 See footnote 7, table 1. 

seasonal adjustment of the various series and because not all series are shown. p

 = preliminary. 4

 Includes mining and logging, information, financial activities, 

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

Sept. Aug. Sept. Sept. Aug. Sept.

2009 2010 2010p 2009 2010 2010p

Total............................................................ 2,626 3,175 2,919 2.0 2.4 2.2

INDUSTRY

Total private................................................ 2,352 2,815 2,612 2.1 2.5 2.4

Mining and logging.................................... 13 18 19 1.8 2.3 2.4

Construction............................................. 75 64 77 1.2 1.1 1.3

Manufacturing.......................................... 145 200 203 1.2 1.7 1.7

Durable goods....................................... 74 130 137 1.0 1.8 1.9

Nondurable goods.................................... 71 70 66 1.5 1.5 1.4

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................. 473 501 499 1.9 2.0 2.0

Wholesale trade....................................... 62 101 98 1.1 1.8 1.7

Retail trade............................................. 340 290 295 2.3 2.0 2.0

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...... 71 110 107 1.5 2.3 2.2

Information................................................ 60 107 66 2.1 3.8 2.4

Financial activities...................................... 206 296 298 2.6 3.7 3.8

Finance and insurance.............................. 144 233 270 2.5 4.0 4.6

Real estate and rental and leasing............... 62 63 28 3.0 3.1 1.4

Professional and business services............... 436 591 530 2.6 3.4 3.1

Education and health services..................... 550 480 487 2.8 2.4 2.4

Educational services................................. 38 49 41 1.2 1.7 1.3

Health care and social assistance............... 512 431 446 3.1 2.6 2.6

Leisure and hospitality................................. 301 390 314 2.2 2.8 2.3

Arts, entertainment, and recreation............ 23 44 33 1.2 2.0 1.6

Accommodation and food services............ 277 345 281 2.4 2.9 2.4

Other services.......................................... 93 169 118 1.7 3.0 2.2

Government................................................ 274 359 308 1.2 1.7 1.4

Federal................................................... 47 91 84 1.7 3.0 2.9

State and local........................................... 227 268 224 1.2 1.4 1.2

REGION 3

Northeast................................................ 534 667 563 2.1 2.6 2.2

South...................................................... 952 1,172 1,083 2.0 2.4 2.2

Midwest................................................... 589 635 584 2.0 2.1 1.9

West...................................................... 551 700 689 1.9 2.4 2.3

 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 7, 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

Sept. Aug. Sept. Sept. Aug. Sept.

2009 2010 2010p 2009 2010 2010p

Total............................................................ 4,257 4,546 4,355 3.3 3.5 3.3

INDUSTRY

Total private................................................ 3,878 4,116 4,014 3.6 3.8 3.7

Mining and logging.................................... 16 31 21 2.3 4.1 2.7

Construction............................................. 316 367 307 5.2 6.2 5.3

Manufacturing.......................................... 294 296 264 2.5 2.5 2.2

Durable goods....................................... 141 150 131 2.0 2.1 1.8

Nondurable goods.................................... 153 146 132 3.3 3.2 2.9

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................. 920 832 922 3.7 3.4 3.7

Wholesale trade....................................... 139 113 144 2.5 2.0 2.6

Retail trade............................................. 594 608 632 4.1 4.2 4.4

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...... 187 111 146 3.9 2.4 3.1

Information................................................ 54 66 60 2.0 2.4 2.2

Financial activities...................................... 150 174 178 1.9 2.3 2.3

Finance and insurance.............................. 84 110 129 1.5 1.9 2.3

Real estate and rental and leasing............... 66 64 49 3.3 3.2 2.5

Professional and business services............... 659 840 806 4.0 5.0 4.8

Education and health services..................... 611 612 592 3.2 3.2 3.0

Educational services................................. 120 113 132 4.0 4.0 4.3

Health care and social assistance............... 491 499 460 3.0 3.0 2.8

Leisure and hospitality................................. 647 722 694 4.9 5.2 5.2

Arts, entertainment, and recreation............ 101 101 108 5.1 4.6 5.4

Accommodation and food services............ 546 621 586 4.8 5.4 5.1

Other services.......................................... 210 176 171 3.9 3.3 3.2

Government................................................ 379 430 340 1.7 2.0 1.5

Federal................................................... 24 44 33 .9 1.5 1.2

State and local........................................... 355 386 307 1.8 2.1 1.6

REGION 3

Northeast................................................ 796 744 867 3.2 3.0 3.5

South...................................................... 1,518 1,768 1,573 3.2 3.8 3.3

Midwest................................................... 963 1,049 952 3.3 3.6 3.2

West...................................................... 980 984 963 3.4 3.4 3.3

 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 7, 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

Sept. Aug. Sept. Sept. Aug. Sept.

2009 2010 2010p 2009 2010 2010p

Total............................................................ 4,380 4,783 4,319 3.4 3.7 3.3

INDUSTRY

Total private................................................ 4,028 4,225 3,869 3.7 3.9 3.6

Mining and logging.................................... 20 23 18 2.8 3.0 2.4

Construction............................................. 404 340 340 6.7 5.7 5.8

Manufacturing.......................................... 301 307 241 2.6 2.6 2.0

Durable goods....................................... 167 164 122 2.3 2.3 1.7

Nondurable goods.................................... 134 143 119 2.9 3.1 2.6

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................. 907 857 809 3.7 3.5 3.3

Wholesale trade....................................... 146 120 133 2.6 2.1 2.4

Retail trade............................................. 597 628 555 4.2 4.3 3.9

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...... 164 109 120 3.4 2.3 2.5

Information................................................ 50 64 51 1.8 2.4 1.9

Financial activities...................................... 146 190 162 1.9 2.5 2.1

Finance and insurance.............................. 77 125 109 1.3 2.2 1.9

Real estate and rental and leasing............... 69 66 53 3.5 3.3 2.7

Professional and business services............... 668 822 783 4.0 4.9 4.7

Education and health services..................... 491 556 478 2.6 2.9 2.4

Educational services................................. 66 112 78 2.2 3.9 2.5

Health care and social assistance............... 425 444 401 2.6 2.7 2.4

Leisure and hospitality................................. 804 807 828 6.1 5.9 6.2

Arts, entertainment, and recreation............ 150 157 185 7.5 7.2 9.2

Accommodation and food services............ 654 650 644 5.8 5.6 5.7

Other services.......................................... 238 259 158 4.5 4.8 3.0

Government................................................ 351 557 450 1.6 2.6 2.0

Federal................................................... 21 155 115 .8 5.3 4.0

State and local........................................... 330 403 334 1.7 2.2 1.7

REGION 3

Northeast................................................ 830 863 772 3.4 3.5 3.1

South...................................................... 1,537 1,849 1,560 3.3 3.9 3.3

Midwest................................................... 964 1,070 1,023 3.3 3.6 3.4

West...................................................... 1,049 1,001 964 3.6 3.5 3.3

 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 7, 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

Sept. Aug. Sept. Sept. Aug. Sept.

2009 2010 2010p 2009 2010 2010p

Total............................................................ 1,793 2,477 2,161 1.4 1.9 1.7

INDUSTRY

Total private................................................ 1,683 2,302 2,023 1.6 2.1 1.9

Mining and logging.................................... 6 13 9 .9 1.7 1.3

Construction............................................. 77 114 88 1.3 1.9 1.5

Manufacturing.......................................... 98 149 109 .8 1.3 .9

Durable goods....................................... 47 80 48 .7 1.1 .7

Nondurable goods.................................... 51 69 61 1.1 1.5 1.3

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................. 398 511 466 1.6 2.1 1.9

Wholesale trade....................................... 54 58 47 1.0 1.0 .8

Retail trade............................................. 291 392 356 2.0 2.7 2.5

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...... 53 61 64 1.1 1.3 1.3

Information................................................ 28 33 28 1.0 1.2 1.0

Financial activities...................................... 57 117 103 .7 1.5 1.4

Finance and insurance.............................. 34 76 61 .6 1.4 1.1

Real estate and rental and leasing............... 24 40 43 1.2 2.0 2.2

Professional and business services............... 256 465 374 1.5 2.8 2.2

Education and health services..................... 282 297 270 1.5 1.5 1.4

Educational services................................. 30 44 41 1.0 1.5 1.3

Health care and social assistance............... 251 253 229 1.6 1.5 1.4

Leisure and hospitality................................. 403 511 485 3.0 3.7 3.6

Arts, entertainment, and recreation............ 20 64 62 1.0 2.9 3.1

Accommodation and food services............ 382 447 423 3.4 3.9 3.7

Other services.......................................... 78 94 91 1.5 1.7 1.7

Government................................................ 110 175 137 .5 .8 .6

Federal................................................... 6 19 14 .2 .7 .5

State and local........................................... 104 155 124 .5 .8 .6

REGION 3

Northeast................................................ 310 416 362 1.3 1.7 1.5

South...................................................... 661 960 849 1.4 2.0 1.8

Midwest................................................... 419 587 482 1.4 2.0 1.6

West...................................................... 404 514 468 1.4 1.8 1.6

 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 7, 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

Sept. Aug. Sept. Sept. Aug. Sept.

2009 2010 2010p 2009 2010 2010p

Total............................................................ 2,281 1,946 1,800 1.8 1.5 1.4

INDUSTRY

Total private................................................ 2,092 1,643 1,557 1.9 1.5 1.4

Mining and logging.................................... 12 7 8 1.7 1.0 1.1

Construction............................................. 321 220 237 5.3 3.7 4.1

Manufacturing.......................................... 176 137 115 1.5 1.2 1.0

Durable goods....................................... 100 72 64 1.4 1.0 .9

Nondurable goods.................................... 75 65 52 1.6 1.4 1.1

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................. 432 244 264 1.7 1.0 1.1

Wholesale trade....................................... 68 55 72 1.2 1.0 1.3

Retail trade............................................. 267 157 153 1.9 1.1 1.1

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...... 97 32 40 2.0 .7 .8

Information................................................ 17 27 17 .6 1.0 .6

Financial activities...................................... 70 52 46 .9 .7 .6

Finance and insurance.............................. 27 36 37 .5 .6 .7

Real estate and rental and leasing............... 43 16 9 2.2 .8 .5

Professional and business services............... 370 318 343 2.2 1.9 2.0

Education and health services..................... 168 223 175 .9 1.2 .9

Educational services................................. 29 65 32 1.0 2.3 1.0

Health care and social assistance............... 138 158 143 .9 1.0 .9

Leisure and hospitality................................. 369 256 299 2.8 1.9 2.2

Arts, entertainment, and recreation............ 127 89 120 6.4 4.1 6.0

Accommodation and food services............ 242 167 179 2.1 1.4 1.6

Other services.......................................... 158 160 54 3.0 3.0 1.0

Government................................................ 190 303 243 .9 1.4 1.1

Federal................................................... 8 127 92 .3 4.3 3.2

State and local........................................... 181 176 151 .9 1.0 .8

REGION 3

Northeast................................................ 479 383 336 1.9 1.6 1.4

South...................................................... 766 743 565 1.6 1.6 1.2

Midwest................................................... 483 409 471 1.6 1.4 1.6

West...................................................... 553 412 427 1.9 1.4 1.5

 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 7, 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

Sept. Aug. Sept. Sept. Aug. Sept.

2009 2010 2010p 2009 2010 2010p

Total............................................................ 305 359 358 0.2 0.3 0.3

INDUSTRY

Total private................................................ 254 280 289 .2 .3 .3

Mining and logging.................................... 2 3 1 .2 .4 .1

Construction............................................. 6 7 16 .1 .1 .3

Manufacturing.......................................... 27 21 16 .2 .2 .1

Durable goods....................................... 20 12 10 .3 .2 .1

Nondurable goods.................................... 7 9 6 .2 .2 .1

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................. 77 102 79 .3 .4 .3

Wholesale trade....................................... 24 7 15 .4 .1 .3

Retail trade............................................. 39 79 47 .3 .5 .3

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...... 14 16 17 .3 .3 .4

Information................................................ 5 5 6 .2 .2 .2

Financial activities...................................... 19 22 13 .2 .3 .2

Finance and insurance.............................. 16 12 12 .3 .2 .2

Real estate and rental and leasing............... 2 9 1 .1 .5 .1

Professional and business services............... 42 39 67 .3 .2 .4

Education and health services..................... 42 37 33 .2 .2 .2

Educational services................................. 7 3 5 .2 .1 .2

Health care and social assistance............... 35 33 28 .2 .2 .2

Leisure and hospitality................................. 33 40 44 .2 .3 .3

Arts, entertainment, and recreation............ 3 5 3 .1 .2 .1

Accommodation and food services............ 30 36 42 .3 .3 .4

Other services.......................................... 2 6 14 (

4

) .1 .3

Government................................................ 52 79 69 .2 .4 .3

Federal................................................... 8 8 10 .3 .3 .3

State and local........................................... 44 72 60 .2 .4 .3

REGION 3

Northeast................................................ 40 64 74 .2 .3 .3

South...................................................... 110 146 145 .2 .3 .3

Midwest................................................... 63 74 71 .2 .3 .2

West...................................................... 92 75 68 .3 .3 .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 7, table 1. 4 Data round to zero. p = preliminary.

Levels (in thousands) Rates

Industry and region