For release 10:00 a.m. (EST) Tuesday, December 7, 2010 USDL-10-1685

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 – OCTOBER 2010

There were 3.4 million job openings on the last business day of October, the U.S. Bureau of Labor 

Statistics reported today. The job openings rate increased over the month to 2.5 percent. The hires rate

remained at 3.2 percent in October, while the separations rate was essentially unchanged at 3.1 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. 

Job Openings

The number of job openings in October was 3.4 million, which was up from 3.0 million in September. 

Since the most recent series trough in July 2009, the number of job openings has risen by 1.0 million or 

44 percent. (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 October remained 1.0 million below the 4.4 million openings when the 

recession began in December 2007. 

The number of job openings in October (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 

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

and decreased in two industries. The job openings level was up over the year in 3 of the 4 regions: the 

Northeast, South, and 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,

November 2007 - October 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,

November 2007 - October 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 - 

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

Industry Oct. Sept. Oct. Oct. Sept. Oct. Oct. Sept. Oct.

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

Total ...................................................... 2,546 3,011 3,362 4,001 4,208 4,196 4,171 4,139 4,047

Total private 1

..........................................2,164 2,658 3,027 3,689 3,953 3,929 3,901 3,761 3,768

Construction.......................................... 65 71 56 325 336 370 381 334 346

Manufacturing....................................... 141 203 205 243 260 269 293 261 271

Trade, transportation, and utilities 2

............ 363 472 488 772 863 849 844 813 806

Retail trade..................................... 228 265 280 518 606 603 567 569 560

Professional and business services............ 436 559 744 709 818 778 717 774 770

Education and health services.................. 529 529 632 522 514 482 473 487 434

Leisure and hospitality ........................... 268 307 339 663 714 688 707 675 693

Arts, entertainment, and recreation......... 19 41 36 100 118 100 128 105 107

Accommodation and food services......... 249 266 303 563 595 588 579 570 586

Government 3

..................................... 382 354 335 312 254 267 269 378 279

 State and local government..................... 292 250 265 271 222 234 242 269 239

Total ...................................................... 1.9 2.3 2.5 3.1 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.1

Total private 1

.......................................... 2.0 2.4 2.7 3.4 3.7 3.6 3.6 3.5 3.5

Construction.......................................... 1.1 1.2 1.0 5.7 6.0 6.6 6.6 5.9 6.2

Manufacturing....................................... 1.2 1.7 1.7 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.5 2.2 2.3

Trade, transportation, and utilities 2

............ 1.4 1.9 1.9 3.1 3.5 3.4 3.4 3.3 3.2

Retail trade.................................... 1.6 1.8 1.9 3.6 4.2 4.2 3.9 3.9 3.9

Professional and business services............2.6 3.2 4.2 4.3 4.9 4.6 4.4 4.6 4.6

Education and health services.................. 2.7 2.6 3.1 2.7 2.6 2.4 2.5 2.5 2.2

Leisure and hospitality ........................... 2.0 2.3 2.5 5.1 5.4 5.2 5.4 5.1 5.3

Arts, entertainment, and recreation......... 1.0 2.1 1.8 5.2 6.2 5.3 6.7 5.5 5.7

Accommodation and food services......... 2.2 2.3 2.6 5.1 5.3 5.2 5.2 5.1 5.2

Government 3

..................................... 1.7 1.6 1.5 1.4 1.1 1.2 1.2 1.7 1.3

 State and local government..................... 1.5 1.3 1.3 1.4 1.1 1.2 1.2 1.4 1.2

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

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

 3 Includes federal government, not shown separately.

 p = preliminary.

Rates (percent)

Job openings Hires Total separations

Levels (in thousands)

Hires

In October, 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 October 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 October, 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 retail trade, decreased in real estate and rental and leasing, and was essentially unchanged in 

the remaining industries. (See table 6.) 
- 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 

October was little changed for total nonfarm and total private, but the rate decreased for government. 

Over the 12 months ending in October, the total separations rate (not seasonally adjusted) was little 

changed for total nonfarm, total private, and government. (See tables 3 and 7.) 

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

quits rate was little changed for total nonfarm (1.5 percent), total private (1.7 percent), and government 

(0.5 percent) and in every industry and region. (See table 4.) The number of quits in October (2.0 

million) is somewhat higher than the series trough in September 2009 (1.7 million), but it is still well 

below the series peak in November 2006 (3.2 million). 

 

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

nonfarm; total private; professional and business services; and arts, entertainment, and recreation as well 

as in the Midwest and South regions. (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 

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

discharges for total nonfarm peaked at 2.6 million in January 2009, falling to 1.7 million in October

2010. In government, the number of layoffs and discharges in October (108,000) was lower than when 

the recession began in December 2007 (117,000). (See table B below.)

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

October for total nonfarm and total private, but the level increased in federal government. The layoffs 

and discharges level declined over the year in many industries and in the South and Midwest regions. 

(See table 9.) 

Table B. Layoffs and discharges, seasonally adjusted

Oct. Sept. Oct. Oct. Sept. Oct.

2009 2010 2010p 2009 2010 2010p

Total............................................................... 2,063 1,808 1,717 1.6 1.4 1.3

Total private................................................... 1,960 1,614 1,610 1.8 1.5 1.5

Government................................................... 103 194 108 0.5 0.9 0.5

 p = preliminary.

Industry

Levels (in thousands) Rates (percent)

The other separations series is not seasonally adjusted. In October, there were 302,000 other separations 

for total nonfarm, 257,000 for total private, and 44,000 for government. Compared to October 2009, the 

number of other separations was little changed for total nonfarm and total private. The number of other 

separations decreased over the year for federal government. (See table 10.)

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 
- 4 - 

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 of layoffs and discharges at the total nonfarm level

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

proportion of layoffs and discharges was 42 percent. For total private, the proportions were 50 percent 

quits and 43 percent layoffs and discharges. For government, the proportions were 39 percent quits and 

39 percent layoffs and discharges. The proportion of layoffs and discharges in government had been

higher than usual in parts of 2009 and 2010 due to layoffs of temporary Census 2010 workers. This 

proportion decreased in October as most temporary Census 2010 workers had already been discharged. 

(See table C below.)

Net Change in Employment

Over the 12 months ending in October, hires (not seasonally adjusted) totaled nearly 50.8 million and 

separations (not seasonally adjusted) totaled 50.0 million, yielding a net employment gain of 0.7 million.

These figures include workers who may have been hired and separated more than once during the year.

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

released on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 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 .................................... 1,723 41% 1,983 48% 1,997 49% 2,063 49% 1,808 44% 1,717 42%

Total private...........................1,620 42% 1,860 49% 1,887 50% 1,960 50% 1,614 43% 1,610 43%

Government........................... 102 38% 124 33% 110 39% 103 38% 194 51% 108 39%

 p = preliminary.

Industry

Quits Layoffs and discharges

Oct.

2009

Sept.

2010

Oct.

2010p

Oct.

2009

Sept.

2010

Oct.

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

Oct. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Oct. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct.

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

Total................................................... 2,546 2,939 2,864 3,141 3,092 3,011 3,362 1.9 2.2 2.1 2.4 2.3 2.3 2.5

INDUSTRY

Total private 4.................................... 2,164 2,597 2,537 2,821 2,752 2,658 3,027 2.0 2.4 2.3 2.5 2.5 2.4 2.7

Construction.................................... 65 79 53 101 65 71 56 1.1 1.4 .9 1.8 1.1 1.2 1.0

Manufacturing................................. 141 205 226 238 190 203 205 1.2 1.7 1.9 2.0 1.6 1.7 1.7

Trade, transportation, and utilities 5...... 363 452 449 485 449 472 488 1.4 1.8 1.8 1.9 1.8 1.9 1.9

Retail trade................................. 228 274 284 295 263 265 280 1.6 1.9 1.9 2.0 1.8 1.8 1.9

Professional and business services...... 436 601 514 564 590 559 744 2.6 3.5 3.0 3.3 3.4 3.2 4.2

Education and health services............ 529 512 487 515 487 529 632 2.7 2.6 2.4 2.6 2.4 2.6 3.1

Leisure and hospitality ..................... 268 288 317 365 381 307 339 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.7 2.8 2.3 2.5

Arts, entertainment, and recreation... 19 41 55 42 41 41 36 1.0 2.1 2.8 2.1 2.1 2.1 1.8

Accommodation and food services... 249 247 263 323 340 266 303 2.2 2.2 2.3 2.8 2.9 2.3 2.6

Government 6.................................... 382 342 327 320 341 354 335 1.7 1.5 1.4 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.5

State and local government............... 292 237 238 246 257 250 265 1.5 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.3 1.3 1.3

REGION 7

Northeast....................................... 532 657 631 639 666 565 676 2.1 2.6 2.5 2.5 2.6 2.2 2.7

South............................................. 915 1,078 982 1,100 1,159 1,101 1,293 1.9 2.2 2.0 2.3 2.4 2.3 2.7

Midwest.......................................... 566 568 604 617 647 552 642 1.9 1.9 2.0 2.0 2.1 1.8 2.1

West............................................. 605 689 632 696 730 665 833 2.1 2.3 2.1 2.4 2.5 2.3 2.8

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

Oct. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Oct. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct.

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

Total................................................... 4,001 4,581 4,250 4,275 4,156 4,208 4,196 3.1 3.5 3.3 3.3 3.2 3.2 3.2

INDUSTRY

Total private 4.................................... 3,689 3,846 3,946 3,985 3,891 3,953 3,929 3.4 3.6 3.7 3.7 3.6 3.7 3.6

Construction.................................... 325 321 289 361 357 336 370 5.7 5.7 5.2 6.4 6.4 6.0 6.6

Manufacturing................................. 243 266 267 297 274 260 269 2.1 2.3 2.3 2.5 2.3 2.2 2.3

Trade, transportation, and utilities 5...... 772 819 876 864 798 863 849 3.1 3.3 3.5 3.5 3.2 3.5 3.4

Retail trade................................. 518 567 589 608 571 606 603 3.6 3.9 4.1 4.2 4.0 4.2 4.2

Professional and business services...... 709 805 825 810 831 818 778 4.3 4.8 4.9 4.8 5.0 4.9 4.6

Education and health services............ 522 479 523 515 492 514 482 2.7 2.5 2.7 2.6 2.5 2.6 2.4

Leisure and hospitality ..................... 663 678 691 712 688 714 688 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.2 5.4 5.2

Arts, entertainment, and recreation... 100 105 127 119 109 118 100 5.2 5.5 6.7 6.2 5.7 6.2 5.3

Accommodation and food services... 563 573 564 593 579 595 588 5.1 5.1 5.0 5.3 5.2 5.3 5.2

Government 6.................................... 312 735 304 289 264 254 267 1.4 3.2 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.1 1.2

State and local government............... 271 246 247 247 228 222 234 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.1 1.2

REGION 7

Northeast....................................... 805 844 718 731 702 787 753 3.3 3.4 2.9 3.0 2.8 3.2 3.0

South.............................................1,420 1,681 1,505 1,531 1,541 1,562 1,550 3.0 3.6 3.2 3.2 3.3 3.3 3.3

Midwest.......................................... 949 1,090 1,013 1,011 946 924 973 3.2 3.7 3.4 3.4 3.2 3.1 3.3

West............................................. 933 1,014 923 923 870 950 931 3.2 3.5 3.2 3.2 3.0 3.3 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

Oct. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Oct. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct.

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

Total................................................... 4,171 4,146 4,436 4,390 4,210 4,139 4,047 3.2 3.2 3.4 3.4 3.2 3.2 3.1

INDUSTRY

Total private 4.................................... 3,901 3,816 3,884 3,940 3,796 3,761 3,768 3.6 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.5 3.5 3.5

Construction.................................... 381 340 314 361 321 334 346 6.6 6.1 5.6 6.5 5.7 5.9 6.2

Manufacturing................................. 293 238 260 271 279 261 271 2.5 2.0 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.2 2.3

Trade, transportation, and utilities 5...... 844 800 874 855 814 813 806 3.4 3.2 3.5 3.5 3.3 3.3 3.2

Retail trade................................. 567 574 604 613 583 569 560 3.9 4.0 4.2 4.2 4.0 3.9 3.9

Professional and business services...... 717 806 777 830 808 774 770 4.4 4.8 4.7 5.0 4.8 4.6 4.6

Education and health services............ 473 446 493 491 454 487 434 2.5 2.3 2.5 2.5 2.3 2.5 2.2

Leisure and hospitality ..................... 707 707 668 701 663 675 693 5.4 5.4 5.1 5.3 5.0 5.1 5.3

Arts, entertainment, and recreation... 128 122 113 121 106 105 107 6.7 6.5 5.9 6.3 5.5 5.5 5.7

Accommodation and food services... 579 585 555 580 557 570 586 5.2 5.2 5.0 5.2 5.0 5.1 5.2

Government 6.................................... 269 331 552 450 414 378 279 1.2 1.4 2.4 2.0 1.8 1.7 1.3

State and local government............... 242 263 275 268 267 269 239 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.2

REGION 7

Northeast....................................... 727 734 748 775 731 707 738 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.1 3.0 2.9 3.0

South............................................. 1,544 1,521 1,606 1,533 1,602 1,553 1,442 3.3 3.2 3.4 3.3 3.4 3.3 3.1

Midwest.......................................... 920 988 981 1,018 930 984 900 3.1 3.3 3.3 3.4 3.1 3.3 3.0

West............................................. 939 920 928 929 889 910 864 3.3 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.1 3.2 3.0

 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

Oct. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Oct. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct.

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

Total................................................... 1,723 1,929 1,951 1,974 1,998 1,983 1,997 1.3 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5

INDUSTRY

Total private 4.................................... 1,620 1,828 1,819 1,855 1,881 1,860 1,887 1.5 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7

Construction.................................... 62 64 67 72 81 85 82 1.1 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.5

Manufacturing................................. 80 96 105 97 107 95 106 .7 .8 .9 .8 .9 .8 .9

Trade, transportation, and utilities 5...... 382 438 443 451 425 452 430 1.6 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.7 1.8 1.7

Retail trade................................. 287 338 331 347 322 351 331 2.0 2.3 2.3 2.4 2.2 2.4 2.3

Professional and business services...... 277 330 325 357 385 350 385 1.7 2.0 1.9 2.1 2.3 2.1 2.3

Education and health services............ 267 254 268 258 249 245 249 1.4 1.3 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3

Leisure and hospitality ..................... 356 428 373 401 407 394 416 2.7 3.3 2.8 3.1 3.1 3.0 3.2

Arts, entertainment, and recreation... 39 39 26 31 36 39 54 2.0 2.0 1.4 1.6 1.9 2.1 2.8

Accommodation and food services... 317 390 347 370 370 355 362 2.8 3.5 3.1 3.3 3.3 3.2 3.2

Government 6.................................... 102 101 131 119 117 124 110 .5 .4 .6 .5 .5 .6 .5

State and local government............... 98 88 105 100 101 112 99 .5 .4 .5 .5 .5 .6 .5

REGION 7

Northeast....................................... 300 286 341 318 333 271 284 1.2 1.2 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.1 1.1

South............................................. 677 736 796 749 791 804 768 1.4 1.6 1.7 1.6 1.7 1.7 1.6

Midwest.......................................... 382 496 438 475 452 410 484 1.3 1.7 1.5 1.6 1.5 1.4 1.6

West............................................. 388 433 437 404 425 411 425 1.3 1.5 1.5 1.4 1.5 1.4 1.5

 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

Oct. Sept. Oct. Oct. Sept. Oct.

2009 2010 2010p 2009 2010 2010p

Total............................................................ 2,676 2,998 3,573 2.0 2.2 2.6

INDUSTRY

Total private................................................ 2,284 2,672 3,222 2.1 2.4 2.9

Mining and logging.................................... 6 17 20 .9 2.2 2.6

Construction............................................. 58 76 46 1.0 1.3 .8

Manufacturing.......................................... 147 213 207 1.2 1.8 1.7

Durable goods....................................... 69 146 142 1.0 2.0 1.9

Nondurable goods.................................... 78 68 65 1.7 1.5 1.4

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................. 407 521 550 1.6 2.1 2.2

Wholesale trade....................................... 76 98 107 1.3 1.7 1.9

Retail trade............................................. 275 305 340 1.9 2.1 2.3

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...... 56 118 103 1.2 2.4 2.1

Information................................................ 89 64 83 3.1 2.3 3.0

Financial activities...................................... 171 293 328 2.2 3.7 4.2

Finance and insurance.............................. 104 267 290 1.8 4.5 4.9

Real estate and rental and leasing............... 67 27 39 3.3 1.4 2.0

Professional and business services............... 475 553 827 2.8 3.2 4.6

Education and health services..................... 543 509 663 2.7 2.5 3.2

Educational services................................. 37 47 61 1.1 1.5 1.8

Health care and social assistance............... 506 462 602 3.0 2.7 3.5

Leisure and hospitality................................. 278 302 358 2.1 2.2 2.7

Arts, entertainment, and recreation............ 20 36 38 1.1 1.7 2.0

Accommodation and food services............ 257 267 320 2.3 2.3 2.8

Other services.......................................... 111 122 140 2.0 2.2 2.5

Government................................................ 392 326 352 1.7 1.5 1.5

Federal................................................... 103 89 76 3.5 3.0 2.6

State and local........................................... 289 237 276 1.4 1.2 1.4

REGION 3

Northeast................................................ 569 587 719 2.2 2.3 2.8

South...................................................... 926 1,128 1,354 1.9 2.3 2.8

Midwest................................................... 598 608 682 2.0 2.0 2.2

West...................................................... 582 675 818 2.0 2.3 2.7

 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

Oct. Sept. Oct. Oct. Sept. Oct.

2009 2010 2010p 2009 2010 2010p

Total............................................................ 4,273 4,391 4,475 3.3 3.4 3.4

INDUSTRY

Total private................................................ 3,961 4,036 4,208 3.7 3.7 3.9

Mining and logging.................................... 19 21 26 2.8 2.7 3.4

Construction............................................. 318 302 367 5.3 5.2 6.3

Manufacturing.......................................... 259 277 283 2.2 2.4 2.4

Durable goods....................................... 125 141 153 1.8 2.0 2.1

Nondurable goods.................................... 134 136 130 2.9 3.0 2.9

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................. 895 948 986 3.6 3.8 4.0

Wholesale trade....................................... 133 149 126 2.4 2.6 2.2

Retail trade............................................. 620 652 717 4.3 4.5 4.9

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...... 142 148 143 3.0 3.1 3.0

Information................................................ 66 57 72 2.4 2.1 2.7

Financial activities...................................... 221 175 209 2.9 2.3 2.8

Finance and insurance.............................. 138 129 157 2.4 2.3 2.8

Real estate and rental and leasing............... 83 45 53 4.2 2.3 2.7

Professional and business services............... 780 776 838 4.7 4.6 4.9

Education and health services..................... 575 612 526 3.0 3.1 2.6

Educational services................................. 98 142 90 3.0 4.6 2.7

Health care and social assistance............... 477 470 436 2.9 2.9 2.6

Leisure and hospitality................................. 657 683 678 5.1 5.1 5.2

Arts, entertainment, and recreation............ 80 106 75 4.3 5.3 4.1

Accommodation and food services............ 577 577 603 5.2 5.1 5.3

Other services.......................................... 171 185 223 3.2 3.4 4.1

Government................................................ 311 356 266 1.4 1.6 1.2

Federal................................................... 41 35 33 1.4 1.2 1.2

State and local........................................... 271 321 233 1.4 1.7 1.2

REGION 3

Northeast................................................ 820 877 804 3.3 3.5 3.2

South...................................................... 1,484 1,568 1,638 3.1 3.3 3.4

Midwest................................................... 1,015 953 1,056 3.4 3.2 3.5

West...................................................... 954 993 977 3.3 3.4 3.4

 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

Oct. Sept. Oct. Oct. Sept. Oct.

2009 2010 2010p 2009 2010 2010p

Total............................................................ 4,493 4,242 4,349 3.4 3.2 3.3

INDUSTRY

Total private................................................ 4,267 3,802 4,119 4.0 3.5 3.8

Mining and logging.................................... 26 18 20 3.8 2.4 2.6

Construction............................................. 438 326 400 7.3 5.6 6.8

Manufacturing.......................................... 332 251 310 2.8 2.1 2.6

Durable goods....................................... 178 128 168 2.5 1.8 2.3

Nondurable goods.................................... 153 124 142 3.4 2.7 3.1

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................. 868 806 825 3.5 3.3 3.3

Wholesale trade....................................... 140 130 125 2.5 2.3 2.2

Retail trade............................................. 572 557 560 4.0 3.9 3.9

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...... 156 118 140 3.3 2.5 2.9

Information................................................ 71 52 71 2.6 1.9 2.6

Financial activities...................................... 236 158 205 3.1 2.1 2.7

Finance and insurance.............................. 140 108 144 2.5 1.9 2.5

Real estate and rental and leasing............... 96 50 61 4.8 2.6 3.1

Professional and business services............... 768 726 816 4.6 4.3 4.8

Education and health services..................... 461 492 414 2.4 2.5 2.1

Educational services................................. 60 80 46 1.8 2.6 1.4

Health care and social assistance............... 401 412 368 2.5 2.5 2.2

Leisure and hospitality................................. 870 811 863 6.7 6.1 6.6

Arts, entertainment, and recreation............ 194 177 167 10.4 8.8 9.0

Accommodation and food services............ 675 634 696 6.1 5.6 6.2

Other services.......................................... 199 162 194 3.7 3.0 3.6

Government................................................ 226 440 231 1.0 2.0 1.0

Federal................................................... 23 115 36 .8 4.0 1.3

State and local........................................... 203 324 195 1.0 1.7 1.0

REGION 3

Northeast................................................ 777 786 812 3.1 3.2 3.3

South...................................................... 1,666 1,507 1,565 3.5 3.2 3.3

Midwest................................................... 1,014 1,022 999 3.4 3.4 3.3

West...................................................... 1,037 926 972 3.6 3.2 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

Oct. Sept. Oct. Oct. Sept. Oct.

2009 2010 2010p 2009 2010 2010p

Total............................................................ 1,853 2,071 2,164 1.4 1.6 1.6

INDUSTRY

Total private................................................ 1,767 1,934 2,073 1.6 1.8 1.9

Mining and logging.................................... 6 10 10 .9 1.3 1.3

Construction............................................. 70 87 95 1.2 1.5 1.6

Manufacturing.......................................... 94 101 123 .8 .9 1.1

Durable goods....................................... 41 44 57 .6 .6 .8

Nondurable goods.................................... 53 57 66 1.2 1.2 1.5

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................. 407 469 450 1.6 1.9 1.8

Wholesale trade....................................... 38 48 48 .7 .9 .9

Retail trade............................................. 304 364 345 2.1 2.5 2.4

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...... 65 58 57 1.4 1.2 1.2

Information................................................ 30 27 41 1.1 1.0 1.5

Financial activities...................................... 95 102 94 1.2 1.3 1.2

Finance and insurance.............................. 67 61 67 1.2 1.1 1.2

Real estate and rental and leasing............... 28 40 26 1.4 2.1 1.4

Professional and business services............... 300 329 438 1.8 2.0 2.6

Education and health services..................... 282 258 263 1.5 1.3 1.3

Educational services................................. 33 39 32 1.0 1.3 1.0

Health care and social assistance............... 250 218 231 1.5 1.3 1.4

Leisure and hospitality................................. 397 464 467 3.1 3.5 3.6

Arts, entertainment, and recreation............ 42 60 63 2.3 3.0 3.4

Accommodation and food services............ 355 404 404 3.2 3.5 3.6

Other services.......................................... 86 88 91 1.6 1.6 1.7

Government................................................ 87 137 91 .4 .6 .4

Federal................................................... 3 13 7 .1 .4 .3

State and local........................................... 84 124 84 .4 .6 .4

REGION 3

Northeast................................................ 316 335 316 1.3 1.4 1.3

South...................................................... 723 818 834 1.5 1.7 1.8

Midwest................................................... 416 463 555 1.4 1.6 1.9

West...................................................... 398 455 458 1.4 1.6 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

Oct. Sept. Oct. Oct. Sept. Oct.

2009 2010 2010p 2009 2010 2010p

Total............................................................ 2,283 1,817 1,884 1.7 1.4 1.4

INDUSTRY

Total private................................................ 2,193 1,583 1,788 2.0 1.5 1.6

Mining and logging.................................... 18 7 8 2.7 1.0 1.0

Construction............................................. 362 225 280 6.0 3.8 4.8

Manufacturing.......................................... 220 136 167 1.9 1.2 1.4

Durable goods....................................... 128 74 99 1.8 1.0 1.4

Nondurable goods.................................... 92 61 68 2.0 1.4 1.5

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................. 343 257 309 1.4 1.0 1.2

Wholesale trade....................................... 59 69 65 1.1 1.2 1.2

Retail trade............................................. 216 145 171 1.5 1.0 1.2

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...... 68 43 72 1.4 .9 1.5

Information................................................ 29 17 24 1.1 .6 .9

Financial activities...................................... 119 44 95 1.6 .6 1.3

Finance and insurance.............................. 54 35 63 .9 .6 1.1

Real estate and rental and leasing............... 65 9 32 3.3 .4 1.6

Professional and business services............... 407 323 333 2.4 1.9 2.0

Education and health services..................... 153 204 122 .8 1.0 .6

Educational services................................. 25 37 12 .8 1.2 .4

Health care and social assistance............... 128 166 110 .8 1.0 .7

Leisure and hospitality................................. 448 311 367 3.4 2.3 2.8

Arts, entertainment, and recreation............ 144 115 100 7.7 5.7 5.4

Accommodation and food services............ 303 196 267 2.7 1.7 2.4

Other services.......................................... 94 61 85 1.8 1.1 1.6

Government................................................ 90 234 96 .4 1.1 .4

Federal................................................... 7 92 22 .3 3.2 .8

State and local........................................... 83 142 74 .4 .7 .4

REGION 3

Northeast................................................ 408 373 436 1.6 1.5 1.7

South...................................................... 825 556 608 1.7 1.2 1.3

Midwest................................................... 515 483 370 1.7 1.6 1.2

West...................................................... 536 405 470 1.8 1.4 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 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

Oct. Sept. Oct. Oct. Sept. Oct.

2009 2010 2010p 2009 2010 2010p

Total............................................................ 357 354 302 0.3 0.3 0.2

INDUSTRY

Total private................................................ 308 285 257 .3 .3 .2

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

Construction............................................. 6 15 25 .1 .2 .4

Manufacturing.......................................... 18 14 20 .2 .1 .2

Durable goods....................................... 9 9 12 .1 .1 .2

Nondurable goods.................................... 8 5 7 .2 .1 .2

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................. 118 80 66 .5 .3 .3

Wholesale trade....................................... 43 14 11 .8 .2 .2

Retail trade............................................. 52 49 44 .4 .3 .3

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...... 23 17 11 .5 .4 .2

Information................................................ 11 8 6 .4 .3 .2

Financial activities...................................... 22 13 16 .3 .2 .2

Finance and insurance.............................. 19 12 14 .3 .2 .2

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

Professional and business services............... 62 74 45 .4 .4 .3

Education and health services..................... 25 31 30 .1 .2 .2

Educational services................................. 1 4 3 (

4

) .1 .1

Health care and social assistance............... 24 28 27 .1 .2 .2

Leisure and hospitality................................. 25 36 29 .2 .3 .2

Arts, entertainment, and recreation............ 8 2 5 .4 .1 .2

Accommodation and food services............ 17 34 25 .2 .3 .2

Other services.......................................... 20 13 17 .4 .2 .3

Government................................................ 49 69 44 .2 .3 .2

Federal................................................... 13 11 7 .4 .4 .2

State and local........................................... 36 58 37 .2 .3 .2

REGION 3

Northeast................................................ 54 78 61 .2 .3 .2

South...................................................... 119 133 123 .3 .3 .3

Midwest................................................... 83 76 73 .3 .3 .2

West...................................................... 101 67 45 .3 .2 .2

 1 Other separations are the number of other separations during the entire month. 2 The other separations rate is the number of other separations during the entire month as a percent of total employment. 3 See footnote 7, table 1. 4 Data round to zero. p = preliminary.

Levels (in thousands) Rates

Industry and region