News

Bureau of Labor Statistics Washington, D.C. 20212 

United States 

Department 

of Labor 

Technical information: (202) 691-5870 USDL 08-1670

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

 For release: 10:00 A.M. EST 

Media contact: (202) 691-5902 Thursday, November 13, 2008 

JOB OPENINGS AND LABOR TURNOVER: SEPTEMBER 2008 

On the last business day of September, there were 3.3 million job openings in the United States, 

and the job openings rate was 2.3 percent, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of 

Labor reported today. The job openings rate was little changed in September, while the hires rate 

increased slightly to 3.2 percent, and the total separations rate decreased slightly to 3.0 percent. 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. 

Chart 1. Job openings rate, seasonally adjusted,

 October 2005 - September 2008

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

2006 2007 2008

Chart 2. Hires and separations rates, seasonally adjusted,

 October 2005 - September 2008

2.6

2.8

3.0

3.2

3.4

3.6

3.8

4.0

Percent

Separations

Hires

2006 2007 2008

Although the month-to-month changes in job openings, hires, and turnover data are often small, 

the trends over time are notable. The job openings rate remained essentially flat from August 2006 

through September 2007, followed by a downward trend through September 2008. The hires rate rose in 

August and September after trending downward from July 2006 through July 2008. Although the rise in 

the hires rate in September was significant, the rate remains low at a level last seen in 2004. After 

holding steady for three months, the separations rate declined to 3.0 percent in September to the lowest 

point since August 2003. (See tables 1, 2, and 3.) 
2 

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

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

2007 2008 2008p 2007 2008 2008p 2007 2008 2008p

Total 1................................................4,080 3,375 3,254 4,700 4,063 4,364 4,456 4,398 4,053

Total private 1

.................................... 3,637 2,952 2,828 4,325 3,822 4,094 4,168 4,149 3,790

Construction.................................... 128 85 96 336 322 261 355 400 375

Manufacturing................................. 314 245 217 352 251 273 374 325 336

Trade, transportation, and utilities 2

......... 679 572 474 977 878 877 950 933 940

 Retail trade.................................. 357 357 272 699 619 626 683 642 598

Professional and business services............ 673 634 578 799 701 807 824 851 713

Education and health services............... 712 643 640 453 509 498 414 424 345

Leisure and hospitality 3

........................ 663 383 417 888 728 814 730 754 723

 Accommodation and food services...... 595 316 363 732 626 678 645 652 643

Government 4

..................................... 443 423 434 359 315 312 290 257 253

 State and local government.................. 403 363 376 287 286 285 219 231 233

Total 1

................................................ 2.9 2.4 2.3 3.4 3.0 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.0

Total private 1

.................................... 3.1 2.5 2.4 3.7 3.3 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.3

Construction.................................... 1.7 1.2 1.3 4.4 4.5 3.7 4.7 5.6 5.3

Manufacturing................................. 2.2 1.8 1.6 2.5 1.9 2.0 2.7 2.4 2.5

Trade, transportation, and utilities 2

......... 2.5 2.1 1.8 3.7 3.3 3.3 3.6 3.5 3.6

 Retail trade.................................... 2.3 2.3 1.8 4.5 4.0 4.1 4.4 4.2 3.9

Professional and business services............3.6 3.4 3.1 4.4 3.9 4.5 4.6 4.8 4.0

Education and health services............... 3.7 3.3 3.3 2.5 2.7 2.6 2.2 2.2 1.8

Leisure and hospitality 3

........................ 4.7 2.7 3.0 6.6 5.3 6.0 5.4 5.5 5.3

 Accommodation and food services...... 4.9 2.6 3.0 6.3 5.4 5.8 5.6 5.6 5.5

Government 4

.................................... 2.0 1.8 1.9 1.6 1.4 1.4 1.3 1.1 1.1

 State and local government.................. 2.0 1.8 1.9 1.5 1.4 1.4 1.1 1.2 1.2

 1 Includes natural resources and mining, information, financial activities, and other services, not shown separately. 2 Includes wholesale trade and transportation, warehousing, and utilities, not shown separately. 3 Includes arts, entertainment, and recreation, not shown separately. 4 Includes federal government, not shown separately. p = preliminary.

Rates (percent)

Job openings Hires Total separations

Levels (in thousands)

Job Openings

The job openings rate was little changed in September 2008 but has been trending downward 

over the last 12 months. At 2.3 percent in September, the job openings rate was at the lowest level since 

April 2004. Although the job openings rate was little changed at the total nonfarm and total private 

levels, the rate decreased significantly in September in the manufacturing and retail trade industries. 

Throughout the history of the series, three industries consistently have had higher job openings rates 

than the other industries, although the gap has recently decreased: education and health services (3.3 
3 

percent in September), professional and business services (3.1 percent), and accommodation and food 

services (3.0 percent). (See table 1.) 

Over the last 12 months, the job openings rate (not seasonally adjusted) rose significantly only in 

the federal government (to 1.9 percent). The rate fell over the year for total nonfarm and total private as 

well as in most industries, including durable goods manufacturing; nondurable goods manufacturing; 

wholesale trade; retail trade; information; finance and insurance; professional and business services; 

health care and social assistance; and accommodation and food services. The job openings rate also fell 

over the year in three of the four regions—Midwest, South, and West. (See table 5.) 

Hires

The hires rate rose in September to 3.2 percent. The increase at the total nonfarm and total 

private level was due to small rises in the hires rate for several industries rather than a significant 

increase in any particular industry. No industry or region experienced a significant over-the-month 

change in the hires rate in September. As occurs nearly every month, the seasonally adjusted hires rate 

was highest in accommodation and food services (5.8 percent) and lowest in state and local government 

(1.4 percent). (See table 2.) 

Over the past 12 months, the hires rate did not increase significantly in any industry or region but 

decreased in a few industries, including durable goods manufacturing; wholesale trade; and federal 

government. Regionally, the hires rate dropped significantly over the past 12 months in the South. (See 

table 6.) 

Separations

The total separations, or turnover, rate fell to 3.0 percent in September due to declines in the 

rates in professional and business services and in education and health services. Over the past 12 

months, the separations rate rose significantly in wholesale trade and in state and local government; the 

rate fell in natural resources and mining; nondurable goods manufacturing; retail trade; health care and 

social assistance; arts, entertainment, and recreation; and federal government. Regionally, the 

separations rate dropped significantly over the past 12 months in the South. As often occurs, the 

seasonally adjusted separations rate was highest in September in accommodation and food services (5.5 

percent) and lowest in state and local government (1.2 percent). (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 little changed in September for total nonfarm (1.5 

percent). Although the one-month change in the quits rate was not significant, the decline in the past 

two months puts the rate at the lowest point since August 2003. The quits rate changed significantly in 

September only in the construction industry and in the South region, declining for both. As has occurred 

every month since the series began in December 2000, the seasonally adjusted quits rate was highest in 

the accommodation and food services industry (3.8 percent) and lowest in state and local government 

(0.6 percent). From September 2007 to September 2008, the quits rate fell for total nonfarm and total 

private and in many industries, including natural resources and mining; nondurable goods 

manufacturing; finance and insurance; professional and business services; health care and social 

assistance; other services; and federal government. The quits rate also fell over the year in three of the 

four regions—Northeast, South, and West. The quits rate did not rise significantly over the past 12 

months in any industry or region. (See tables 4 and 8.) 
4 

The other two components of total separations—layoffs and discharges, and other separations—

are not seasonally adjusted. In September, the layoffs and discharges rate (1.4 percent) and level (1.9 

million) were little changed from a year earlier. The layoffs and discharges rate was highest in arts, 

entertainment, and recreation (4.5 percent) and lowest in federal government (0.2 percent). The other 

separations rate (0.2 percent) and level (296,000) were essentially unchanged from a year earlier at the 

total nonfarm level. (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 varied over time. The proportion of total 

separations due to quits (seasonally adjusted) rose from a post-recession low of 50 percent in December 

2003 to a high of 61 percent in December 2006 before trending downward again. Quits accounted for 

only 52 percent of total separations in September 2008, down considerably in 2008 as quits decreased 

and layoffs increased. (See tables 3 and 4.) 

Flows in the Labor Market

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 

accommodation and food services. In the 12 months ending in September 2008, these 5 industries 

produced 31.2 million hires and 31.3 million separations, accounting for 58 percent of total nonfarm 

hires and 59 percent of total nonfarm separations while comprising only 39 percent of total nonfarm 

employment. 

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 October 2008 is scheduled to be issued on 

Tuesday, December 9. 
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 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. 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.

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

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

2007 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008p 2007 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008p

Total 4................................................... 4,080 3,612 3,631 3,497 3,492 3,375 3,254 2.9 2.6 2.6 2.5 2.5 2.4 2.3

INDUSTRY

Total private 4....................................... 3,637 3,192 3,185 3,073 3,046 2,952 2,828 3.1 2.7 2.7 2.6 2.6 2.5 2.4

Construction....................................... 128 99 130 100 94 85 96 1.7 1.3 1.8 1.4 1.3 1.2 1.3

Manufacturing.................................... 314 244 249 241 229 245 217 2.2 1.8 1.8 1.7 1.7 1.8 1.6

Trade, transportation, and utilities 5

......... 679 550 572 539 569 572 474 2.5 2.0 2.1 2.0 2.1 2.1 1.8

Retail trade....................................... 357 338 363 322 346 357 272 2.3 2.2 2.3 2.1 2.2 2.3 1.8

Professional and business services......... 673 676 649 670 696 634 578 3.6 3.6 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.4 3.1

Education and health services............... 712 684 648 682 687 643 640 3.7 3.5 3.3 3.5 3.5 3.3 3.3

Leisure and hospitality 6

........................ 663 491 503 452 432 383 417 4.7 3.5 3.5 3.2 3.1 2.7 3.0

Accommodation and food services...... 595 433 438 406 388 316 363 4.9 3.6 3.6 3.4 3.2 2.6 3.0

Government 7

....................................... 443 422 451 417 412 423 434 2.0 1.8 2.0 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.9

State and local government................... 403 395 407 361 362 363 376 2.0 2.0 2.0 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.9

REGION 8

Northeast.......................................... 594 618 600 608 615 617 596 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.4 2.3

South................................................ 1,641 1,364 1,386 1,440 1,384 1,317 1,215 3.2 2.7 2.7 2.8 2.7 2.6 2.4

Midwest............................................. 787 752 721 676 638 664 667 2.4 2.3 2.2 2.1 2.0 2.1 2.1

West................................................ 1,054 883 937 789 847 777 760 3.3 2.8 2.9 2.5 2.7 2.5 2.4

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, Maryland, Mississippi, North 

adjustment of the various series. Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and 

 4

 Includes natural resources and mining, 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 arts, entertainment, and recreation, not shown separately. Wyoming.

 7

 Includes federal government, not shown separately. 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.

2007 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008p 2007 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008p

Total 4................................................... 4,700 4,715 4,123 4,438 4,026 4,063 4,364 3.4 3.4 3.0 3.2 2.9 3.0 3.2

INDUSTRY

Total private 4....................................... 4,325 4,311 3,871 4,136 3,751 3,822 4,094 3.7 3.7 3.4 3.6 3.3 3.3 3.6

Construction....................................... 336 385 286 354 242 322 261 4.4 5.3 3.9 4.9 3.4 4.5 3.7

Manufacturing.................................... 352 300 274 285 249 251 273 2.5 2.2 2.0 2.1 1.8 1.9 2.0

Trade, transportation, and utilities 5

......... 977 943 828 906 858 878 877 3.7 3.6 3.1 3.4 3.3 3.3 3.3

Retail trade....................................... 699 642 585 608 585 619 626 4.5 4.2 3.8 4.0 3.8 4.0 4.1

Professional and business services......... 799 858 770 889 748 701 807 4.4 4.8 4.3 5.0 4.2 3.9 4.5

Education and health services............... 453 510 479 485 474 509 498 2.5 2.7 2.5 2.6 2.5 2.7 2.6

Leisure and hospitality 6

........................ 888 841 847 741 798 728 814 6.6 6.1 6.2 5.4 5.8 5.3 6.0

Accommodation and food services...... 732 719 731 645 683 626 678 6.3 6.2 6.3 5.5 5.9 5.4 5.8

Government 7

....................................... 359 407 329 340 321 315 312 1.6 1.8 1.5 1.5 1.4 1.4 1.4

State and local government................... 287 315 304 309 300 286 285 1.5 1.6 1.5 1.6 1.5 1.4 1.4

REGION 8

Northeast.......................................... 689 743 646 761 657 679 693 2.7 2.9 2.5 3.0 2.6 2.7 2.7

South................................................ 1,844 1,725 1,538 1,666 1,512 1,549 1,598 3.7 3.5 3.1 3.4 3.0 3.1 3.2

Midwest.............................................1,093 986 914 966 934 926 1,020 3.5 3.1 2.9 3.1 3.0 2.9 3.2

West................................................ 1,048 1,246 1,111 1,084 979 1,004 1,035 3.4 4.0 3.6 3.5 3.2 3.3 3.4

 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

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

2007 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008p 2007 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008p

Total 4................................................... 4,456 4,404 4,313 4,368 4,359 4,398 4,053 3.2 3.2 3.1 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.0

INDUSTRY

Total private 4

....................................... 4,168 4,112 4,046 4,115 4,128 4,149 3,790 3.6 3.6 3.5 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.3

Construction....................................... 355 378 393 409 473 400 375 4.7 5.2 5.4 5.7 6.6 5.6 5.3

Manufacturing.................................... 374 390 359 353 324 325 336 2.7 2.9 2.6 2.6 2.4 2.4 2.5

Trade, transportation, and utilities 5

......... 950 1,003 868 1,003 1,013 933 940 3.6 3.8 3.3 3.8 3.8 3.5 3.6

Retail trade.................................... 683 716 605 679 692 642 598 4.4 4.7 3.9 4.4 4.5 4.2 3.9

Professional and business services......... 824 739 741 799 694 851 713 4.6 4.1 4.1 4.5 3.9 4.8 4.0

Education and health services............... 414 429 434 417 464 424 345 2.2 2.3 2.3 2.2 2.4 2.2 1.8

Leisure and hospitality 6

........................ 730 722 801 749 741 754 723 5.4 5.3 5.8 5.5 5.4 5.5 5.3

Accommodation and food services...... 645 619 675 641 629 652 643 5.6 5.3 5.8 5.5 5.4 5.6 5.5

Government 7

....................................... 290 295 269 259 244 257 253 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1

State and local government................... 219 248 240 233 222 231 233 1.1 1.3 1.2 1.2 1.1 1.2 1.2

REGION 8

Northeast.......................................... 635 709 685 658 745 705 629 2.5 2.8 2.7 2.6 2.9 2.7 2.5

South................................................1,786 1,666 1,614 1,681 1,629 1,633 1,449 3.6 3.4 3.3 3.4 3.3 3.3 2.9

Midwest............................................. 983 949 915 954 912 893 934 3.1 3.0 2.9 3.0 2.9 2.8 3.0

West................................................ 1,038 1,094 1,096 1,089 1,099 1,142 1,015 3.4 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.3

 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

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

2007 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008p 2007 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008p

Total 4................................................... 2,396 2,444 2,336 2,365 2,314 2,252 2,101 1.7 1.8 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.6 1.5

INDUSTRY

Total private 4

....................................... 2,253 2,301 2,210 2,242 2,209 2,134 1,995 1.9 2.0 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.7

Construction....................................... 132 127 124 139 157 150 109 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.9 2.2 2.1 1.5

Manufacturing.................................... 183 182 163 154 134 143 146 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.1 1.0 1.1 1.1

Trade, transportation, and utilities 5

......... 549 550 495 545 545 485 498 2.1 2.1 1.9 2.1 2.1 1.8 1.9

Retail trade.................................... 412 404 352 391 405 355 355 2.7 2.6 2.3 2.6 2.6 2.3 2.3

Professional and business services......... 405 385 391 413 363 352 311 2.2 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.0 2.0 1.7

Education and health services............... 253 270 229 246 268 234 225 1.4 1.4 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.2 1.2

Leisure and hospitality 6

........................ 440 516 547 525 499 482 473 3.2 3.8 4.0 3.8 3.7 3.5 3.5

Accommodation and food services...... 367 473 500 481 452 445 438 3.2 4.1 4.3 4.1 3.9 3.8 3.8

Government 7

....................................... 146 144 126 123 111 121 119 .7 .6 .6 .5 .5 .5 .5

State and local government................... 123 129 117 114 104 113 117 .6 .7 .6 .6 .5 .6 .6

REGION 8

Northeast.......................................... 306 368 327 344 341 306 274 1.2 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.1

South................................................1,003 1,001 937 969 930 912 808 2.0 2.0 1.9 2.0 1.9 1.8 1.6

Midwest............................................. 524 500 485 515 504 513 517 1.7 1.6 1.5 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6

West................................................ 575 575 584 539 541 518 494 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.7 1.8 1.7 1.6

 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

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

2007 2008 2008p 2007 2008 2008p

Total............................................................... 4,240 3,637 3,349 3.0 2.6 2.4

INDUSTRY

Total private................................................... 3,807 3,177 2,922 3.2 2.7 2.5

Natural resources and mining........................ 11 16 16 1.5 2.0 2.0

Construction................................................ 124 88 93 1.6 1.2 1.2

Manufacturing............................................. 316 259 217 2.2 1.9 1.6

Durable goods.......................................... 186 143 119 2.1 1.6 1.4

Nondurable goods.................................... 130 116 98 2.5 2.3 1.9

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................. 765 667 554 2.8 2.5 2.1

Wholesale trade....................................... 180 124 82 2.9 2.0 1.4

Retail trade............................................. 431 416 341 2.7 2.7 2.2

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...... 154 127 131 2.9 2.5 2.5

Information................................................ 91 71 58 2.9 2.3 1.9

Financial activities......................................... 260 185 218 3.0 2.2 2.6

Finance and insurance.............................. 220 150 160 3.5 2.4 2.6

Real estate and rental and leasing............... 40 35 58 1.8 1.6 2.7

Professional and business services.................. 687 662 570 3.7 3.5 3.1

Education and health services........................ 736 669 651 3.9 3.5 3.3

Educational services................................. 63 67 60 2.1 2.3 1.9

Health care and social assistance.................. 673 602 592 4.2 3.7 3.6

Leisure and hospitality................................. 645 404 401 4.5 2.8 2.8

Arts, entertainment, and recreation............... 70 71 52 3.3 3.0 2.5

Accommodation and food services............... 575 333 350 4.7 2.7 2.9

Other services............................................. 172 157 143 3.0 2.7 2.5

Government................................................... 433 460 427 1.9 2.1 1.9

Federal...................................................... 33 73 53 1.2 2.6 1.9

State and local........................................... 400 387 374 2.0 2.0 1.9

REGION 3

Northeast................................................... 634 702 630 2.4 2.7 2.4

South......................................................... 1,668 1,371 1,225 3.2 2.7 2.4

Midwest...................................................... 864 720 729 2.7 2.2 2.3

West......................................................... 1,073 845 765 3.3 2.7 2.4

 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

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

2007 2008 2008p 2007 2008 2008p

Total............................................................... 5,090 4,727 4,759 3.7 3.4 3.5

INDUSTRY

Total private................................................... 4,542 4,205 4,304 3.9 3.6 3.7

Natural resources and mining........................ 26 29 29 3.5 3.6 3.6

Construction................................................ 336 353 247 4.3 4.7 3.4

Manufacturing............................................. 367 282 285 2.6 2.1 2.1

Durable goods.......................................... 208 161 147 2.4 1.9 1.7

Nondurable goods.................................... 159 121 139 3.1 2.4 2.8

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................. 1,098 986 982 4.1 3.7 3.7

Wholesale trade....................................... 182 128 142 3.0 2.1 2.4

Retail trade............................................. 761 683 697 4.9 4.5 4.6

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...... 155 175 142 3.0 3.5 2.8

Information................................................ 61 46 68 2.0 1.5 2.3

Financial activities......................................... 230 195 208 2.8 2.4 2.6

Finance and insurance.............................. 136 125 135 2.2 2.1 2.2

Real estate and rental and leasing............... 94 70 73 4.3 3.2 3.4

Professional and business services.................. 828 714 861 4.6 4.0 4.8

Education and health services........................ 559 643 615 3.0 3.4 3.2

Educational services................................. 128 131 136 4.4 4.7 4.4

Health care and social assistance.................. 431 512 479 2.8 3.2 3.0

Leisure and hospitality................................. 859 787 805 6.3 5.5 5.9

Arts, entertainment, and recreation............... 126 80 122 6.1 3.5 6.0

Accommodation and food services............... 734 706 683 6.3 5.9 5.8

Other services............................................. 179 171 204 3.3 3.1 3.7

Government................................................... 548 521 456 2.5 2.4 2.0

Federal...................................................... 107 28 31 3.9 1.0 1.1

State and local........................................... 441 494 425 2.3 2.7 2.2

REGION 3

Northeast................................................... 841 741 839 3.3 2.9 3.3

South......................................................... 1,929 1,811 1,675 3.9 3.7 3.4

Midwest...................................................... 1,183 1,015 1,133 3.8 3.2 3.6

West......................................................... 1,137 1,159 1,113 3.7 3.8 3.6

 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

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

2007 2008 2008p 2007 2008 2008p

Total............................................................... 4,946 5,615 4,465 3.6 4.1 3.2

INDUSTRY

Total private................................................... 4,573 5,211 4,130 3.9 4.5 3.6

Natural resources and mining........................ 30 29 20 4.0 3.6 2.4

Construction................................................ 388 504 391 5.0 6.8 5.3

Manufacturing............................................. 399 393 359 2.9 2.9 2.7

Durable goods.......................................... 225 261 234 2.6 3.1 2.8

Nondurable goods.................................... 174 132 124 3.4 2.6 2.5

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................. 1,007 1,084 981 3.8 4.1 3.7

Wholesale trade....................................... 145 166 188 2.4 2.8 3.1

Retail trade............................................. 720 752 611 4.7 4.9 4.0

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...... 142 166 182 2.8 3.3 3.6

Information................................................ 74 68 60 2.5 2.3 2.0

Financial activities......................................... 238 258 194 2.9 3.1 2.4

Finance and insurance.............................. 155 185 130 2.5 3.0 2.2

Real estate and rental and leasing............... 83 73 64 3.8 3.4 3.0

Professional and business services.................. 847 972 722 4.7 5.4 4.0

Education and health services........................ 444 573 366 2.4 3.1 1.9

Educational services................................. 50 118 48 1.7 4.2 1.6

Health care and social assistance.................. 394 455 318 2.6 2.9 2.0

Leisure and hospitality................................. 969 980 894 7.1 6.9 6.5

Arts, entertainment, and recreation............... 210 154 157 10.3 6.8 7.7

Accommodation and food services............... 759 826 737 6.5 6.9 6.3

Other services............................................. 177 351 143 3.2 6.3 2.6

Government................................................... 373 404 335 1.7 1.9 1.5

Federal...................................................... 98 29 22 3.6 1.0 .8

State and local........................................... 276 375 313 1.4 2.0 1.6

REGION 3

Northeast................................................... 810 960 770 3.2 3.8 3.0

South......................................................... 1,881 2,103 1,529 3.8 4.2 3.1

Midwest...................................................... 1,079 1,146 1,043 3.4 3.7 3.3

West......................................................... 1,176 1,406 1,122 3.8 4.6 3.6

 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

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

2007 2008 2008p 2007 2008 2008p

Total............................................................... 2,660 3,087 2,266 1.9 2.2 1.6

INDUSTRY

Total private................................................... 2,487 2,891 2,126 2.1 2.5 1.8

Natural resources and mining........................ 20 21 14 2.7 2.6 1.7

Construction................................................ 143 236 111 1.8 3.2 1.5

Manufacturing............................................. 200 196 159 1.4 1.5 1.2

Durable goods.......................................... 112 118 93 1.3 1.4 1.1

Nondurable goods.................................... 87 78 66 1.7 1.6 1.3

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................. 609 634 548 2.3 2.4 2.1

Wholesale trade....................................... 81 85 88 1.3 1.4 1.5

Retail trade............................................. 450 464 384 2.9 3.0 2.5

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...... 78 84 75 1.5 1.7 1.5

Information................................................ 42 52 30 1.4 1.7 1.0

Financial activities......................................... 128 130 99 1.6 1.6 1.2

Finance and insurance.............................. 88 100 60 1.4 1.6 1.0

Real estate and rental and leasing............... 41 30 39 1.9 1.4 1.8

Professional and business services.................. 430 461 315 2.4 2.6 1.8

Education and health services........................ 273 324 231 1.5 1.7 1.2

Educational services................................. 30 49 28 1.0 1.8 .9

Health care and social assistance.................. 244 274 203 1.6 1.7 1.3

Leisure and hospitality................................. 522 647 547 3.8 4.5 4.0

Arts, entertainment, and recreation............... 70 70 60 3.4 3.1 3.0

Accommodation and food services............... 452 577 487 3.9 4.8 4.2

Other services............................................. 118 191 73 2.2 3.4 1.3

Government................................................... 173 196 139 .8 .9 .6

Federal...................................................... 35 13 9 1.3 .5 .3

State and local........................................... 137 183 131 .7 1.0 .7

REGION 3

Northeast................................................... 392 437 336 1.5 1.7 1.3

South......................................................... 1,049 1,223 817 2.1 2.5 1.6

Midwest...................................................... 576 755 577 1.8 2.4 1.8

West......................................................... 643 671 535 2.1 2.2 1.7

 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

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

2007 2008 2008p 2007 2008 2008p

Total............................................................... 1,981 2,207 1,903 1.4 1.6 1.4

INDUSTRY

Total private................................................... 1,851 2,051 1,761 1.6 1.8 1.5

Natural resources and mining........................ 7 6 5 1.0 .8 .6

Construction................................................ 234 252 269 3.0 3.4 3.7

Manufacturing............................................. 165 173 169 1.2 1.3 1.3

Durable goods.......................................... 100 128 120 1.1 1.5 1.4

Nondurable goods.................................... 66 45 49 1.3 .9 1.0

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................. 331 376 365 1.2 1.4 1.4

Wholesale trade....................................... 59 66 85 1.0 1.1 1.4

Retail trade............................................. 221 242 187 1.4 1.6 1.2

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...... 51 68 93 1.0 1.3 1.8

Information................................................ 17 14 25 .6 .5 .9

Financial activities......................................... 94 106 65 1.1 1.3 .8

Finance and insurance.............................. 55 69 41 .9 1.1 .7

Real estate and rental and leasing............... 39 37 24 1.8 1.7 1.1

Professional and business services.................. 371 438 365 2.0 2.4 2.0

Education and health services........................ 146 215 112 .8 1.2 .6

Educational services................................. 17 63 17 .6 2.3 .6

Health care and social assistance.................. 129 152 95 .8 1.0 .6

Leisure and hospitality................................. 434 312 327 3.2 2.2 2.4

Arts, entertainment, and recreation............... 138 79 91 6.7 3.5 4.5

Accommodation and food services............... 296 232 236 2.5 1.9 2.0

Other services............................................. 51 159 59 .9 2.9 1.1

Government................................................... 130 156 142 .6 .7 .6

Federal...................................................... 25 8 7 .9 .3 .2

State and local........................................... 105 148 136 .5 .8 .7

REGION 3

Northeast................................................... 351 475 375 1.4 1.9 1.5

South......................................................... 748 742 608 1.5 1.5 1.2

Midwest...................................................... 431 324 416 1.4 1.0 1.3

West......................................................... 451 665 504 1.5 2.2 1.6

 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

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

2007 2008 2008p 2007 2008 2008p

Total............................................................... 305 321 296 0.2 0.2 0.2

INDUSTRY

Total private................................................... 235 269 243 .2 .2 .2

Natural resources and mining........................ 2 2 1 .3 .3 .2

Construction................................................ 10 16 11 .1 .2 .1

Manufacturing............................................. 34 23 31 .2 .2 .2

Durable goods.......................................... 13 15 21 .1 .2 .3

Nondurable goods.................................... 21 8 9 .4 .2 .2

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................. 67 74 69 .3 .3 .3

Wholesale trade....................................... 5 14 15 .1 .2 .3

Retail trade............................................. 48 46 39 .3 .3 .3

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...... 14 14 14 .3 .3 .3

Information................................................ 14 1 5 .5 (

4

) .2

Financial activities......................................... 15 22 30 .2 .3 .4

Finance and insurance.............................. 12 17 29 .2 .3 .5

Real estate and rental and leasing............... 3 6 1 .1 .3 .1

Professional and business services.................. 46 73 41 .3 .4 .2

Education and health services........................ 25 35 24 .1 .2 .1

Educational services................................. 3 6 4 .1 .2 .1

Health care and social assistance.................. 21 29 21 .1 .2 .1

Leisure and hospitality................................. 13 21 20 .1 .1 .1

Arts, entertainment, and recreation............... 2 4 6 .1 .2 .3

Accommodation and food services............... 11 16 14 .1 .1 .1

Other services............................................. 8 2 11 .1 (

4

) .2

Government................................................... 71 52 53 .3 .2 .2

Federal...................................................... 37 8 6 1.4 .3 .2

State and local........................................... 33 45 47 .2 .2 .2

REGION 3

Northeast................................................... 67 47 59 .3 .2 .2

South......................................................... 84 137 104 .2 .3 .2

Midwest...................................................... 72 68 50 .2 .2 .2

West......................................................... 82 70 83 .3 .2 .3

 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