For release 10:00 a.m. (EST) Tuesday, December 11, 2012 USDL-12-2405

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 2012

There were 3.7 million job openings on the last business day of October, little changed from September, 

the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The hires rate (3.2 percent) and separations rate (3.1

percent) were also little changed in October. This release includes estimates of the number and rate of 

job openings, hires, and separations for the nonfarm sector by industry and by geographic region.

Job Openings

The number of job openings in October was 3.7 million, essentially unchanged from September. (See 

table 1.) The number of openings was little changed in all industries except construction, manufacturing, 

and accommodation and food services, which increased. The number of openings was also little changed

in all four regions in October. The level of total nonfarm job openings in October was up from 2.4 

million at the end of the recession in June 2009. (Recession dates are determined by the National Bureau 

of Economic Research.)

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

2.0

2.2

2.4

2.6

2.8

3.0

3.2

3.4

3.6

Percent

2010 2011 2012

Chart 1. Job openings rate, seasonally adjusted, November 2009 - October 2012

2.0

2.2

2.4

2.6

2.8

3.0

3.2

3.4

3.6

3.8

4.0

Hires

Separations

Percent

2010 2011 2012

Chart 2. Hires and separations rates, seasonally adjusted, November 2009 - October 2012

Hurricane Sandy

Hurricane Sandy struck the Northeast Coast at the end of October. All possible efforts were made to 

contact survey respondents in the hurricane-affected areas. Special estimation procedures were used 

for selected nonresponding sample units as discussed in the note on page 4.
- 2 -

The number of job openings in October (not seasonally adjusted) was up over the year for total nonfarm

and total private, but little changed for government. Job openings increased over the year for 

construction, nondurable goods manufacturing, other services, and state and local government, but fell 

in wholesale trade. The Midwest and Northeast regions experienced a rise in job openings over the year. 

(See table 7.)

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

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

2011 2012 2012p2011 2012 2012p2011 2012 2012p

Total .........................................................3,408 3,547 3,675 4,220 4,204 4,339 4,065 4,017 4,084

Total private 1................................................... 3,062 3,172 3,293 3,979 3,922 4,056 3,781 3,759 3,776

Construction................................................80 82 130 333 327 321 325 332 299

Manufacturing..........................................240 241 279 240 235 252 227 235 234

Trade, transportation, and utilities 2..................... 594 592 594 840 819 884 813 805 832

Retail trade..................................... 334 342 373 559 548 595 539 541 554

Professional and business services......................... 644 622 646 893 848 888 831 821 785

Education and health services 3.....................622 725 660 484 499 499 450 438 471

 Health care and social assistance...... 558 654 608 414 417 428 386 375 396

Leisure and hospitality .................................... 404 366 431 719 708 754 663 672 704

Arts, entertainment, and recreation.......... 62 54 52 131 102 133 114 104 118

Accommodation and food services..........342 312 379 588 606 621 549 568 586

Government 4........................................ 345 375 382 241 283 283 285 258 308

State and local..................................... 279 306 321 215 251 255 253 226 269

Total ...................................................... 2.5 2.6 2.7 3.2 3.1 3.2 3.1 3.0 3.1

Total private 1................................................... 2.7 2.8 2.9 3.6 3.5 3.6 3.4 3.4 3.4

Construction..........................................1.4 1.5 2.3 6.0 5.9 5.8 5.9 6.0 5.4

Manufacturing................................................ 2.0 2.0 2.3 2.0 2.0 2.1 1.9 2.0 2.0

Trade, transportation, and utilities 2........................ 2.3 2.3 2.3 3.3 3.2 3.5 3.2 3.2 3.3

Retail trade.................................... 2.2 2.3 2.5 3.8 3.7 4.0 3.7 3.7 3.7

Professional and business services......................... 3.6 3.3 3.5 5.1 4.7 4.9 4.8 4.6 4.4

Education and health services 3.....................3.0 3.4 3.1 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.2 2.1 2.3

 Health care and social assistance...... 3.2 3.7 3.4 2.5 2.4 2.5 2.3 2.2 2.3

Leisure and hospitality .................................... 2.9 2.6 3.0 5.4 5.2 5.5 5.0 4.9 5.1

Arts, entertainment, and recreation.......... 3.1 2.7 2.6 6.9 5.3 6.9 6.0 5.4 6.1

Accommodation and food services..........2.9 2.6 3.1 5.1 5.1 5.3 4.8 4.8 5.0

Government 4........................................ 1.5 1.7 1.7 1.1 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.4

State and local.....................................1.4 1.6 1.6 1.1 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.4

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

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

 3 Includes educational services, not show n separately.

 4 Includes federal government, not show n separately.

 p Preliminary

Rates (percent)

Job openings Hires Total separations

Levels (in thousands)
- 3 -

Hires

In October, the hires rate was little changed at 3.2 percent. The hires rate was also little changed in all

industries and regions over the month. (See table 2.) The number of hires in October was 4.3 million, up 

from 3.7 million at the end of the recession in June 2009.

Over the 12 months ending in October, the hires rate (not seasonally adjusted) was unchanged for total 

nonfarm and total private, and was little changed for government. The hires rate was little changed in all 

industries and regions over the 12 months ending in October. (See table 8.)

Separations

The total separations figure includes quits, layoffs and discharges, and other separations. Total 

separations is also referred to as turnover. Quits are generally voluntary separations initiated by the 

employee. Therefore, the quits rate can serve as a measure of workers’ willingness or ability to leave 

jobs. Layoffs and discharges are involuntary separations initiated by the employer. Other separations 

include separations due to retirement, death, and disability, as well as transfers to other locations of the 

same firm.

In October, the total separations rate was little changed for total nonfarm, unchanged for total private, 

and rose for government. (See table 3.) Over the 12 months ending in October, the total separations rate 

(not seasonally adjusted) was unchanged for total nonfarm, and little changed for total private and

government. (See table 9.)

In October, the quits rate was unchanged for total nonfarm and total private, and little changed for 

government. (See table 4.) The number of quits was 2.1 million in October compared to 1.8 million at

the end of the recession in June 2009.

The number of quits (not seasonally adjusted) was little changed over the 12 months ending in October

for total nonfarm and total private, and rose for government. Quits increased over the year in mining and 

logging; transportation, warehousing, and utilities; and state and local government. Quits levels rose in 

the South, but were essentially unchanged over the year for the other three regions. (See table 10.)

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

total private, and government levels and for the four regions. The layoffs and discharges rate was little 

changed in October for total nonfarm, total private, government, and all four regions. (See table 5.) The 

number of layoffs and discharges for total nonfarm was 1.7 million in October, down from 2.1 million at 

the end of the recession in June 2009.

The layoffs and discharges level (not seasonally adjusted) was little changed for total nonfarm, total 

private, and government over the 12 months ending in October 2012. Over the year, the number of 

layoffs and discharges rose in mining and logging; the number fell in the Midwest region. (See table 11.)

In October, there were 357,000 other separations for total nonfarm, little changed from the previous 

month. The number of other separations was also little changed over the year. (See tables 6 and 12.)
- 4 -

Net Change in Employment

Large numbers of hires and separations occur every month throughout the business cycle. Net 

employment change results from the relationship between hires and separations. When the number of 

hires exceeds the number of separations, employment rises, even if the hires level is steady or declining. 

Conversely, when the number of hires is less than the number of separations, employment declines, even 

if the hires level is steady or rising. Over the 12 months ending in October 2012, hires totaled 51.7

million and separations totaled 49.8 million, yielding a net employment gain of 1.9 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 2012 are scheduled to be 

released on Thursday, January 10, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. (EST). Scheduled release dates for 2013 are 

as follows:

Dec. — Feb. 12 June — Aug. 6

Jan. — March 12 July — Sept. 10

Feb. — April 9 Aug. — Oct. 8

March — May 7 Sept. — Nov. 8

April — June 11 Oct. — Dec. 10

May — July 9

Hurricane Sandy

The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) sample is designed to produce 

estimates of job openings, hires, and separations for the nation as a whole, and for four 

geographic regions. Industry detail is produced only for the national-level estimates. While 

JOLTS does not produce data at the detailed local level, some effect of the storm and ensuing 

flooding may be reflected in the JOLTS estimates.

All possible efforts were made to contact survey respondents in the areas affected by 

Hurricane Sandy, and special treatment procedures were used for selected cases as described 

below. Nonresponding establishments that met the following criteria were given special 

treatment in the October estimation: 1.) The establishment exhibited a consistent pattern of 

reporting survey data in the months preceding the storm, 2.) The establishment was located in 

one of the most heavily damaged or flooded areas as defined by the Federal Emergency 

Management Agency (FEMA), 3.) The establishment was identified as being in a hurricane 

zone or evacuation area by the US Army Corps of Engineers or as being in an evacuation area 

by the New York City Office of Emergency Management, 4.) Research produced independent 

corroboration that the business location was not operating, and 5.) Research produced no 

evidence that the establishment’s workforce was still being paid or was otherwise considered 

employed. For such establishment, BLS assumed that they had no job openings as of the last 

business day of the month, and that by the end of October the business was closed and their 

entire workforce was laid off. There were very few establishments subject to the special 

procedures.

While the preliminary estimates in this release reflect this special treatment, it is not 

possible to quantify the effect of Hurricane Sandy on the overall JOLTS estimates. Attempts to 

collect October data in the affected areas will continue, and final October estimates will be 

released next month.
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 2012 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 stratified random 

sample of 16,400 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 establishment 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 non-certainty 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 

post-stratified and re-weighted annually to represent 

the most recent sampling frame. Additionally, the outof-business 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

or ratio adjusted monthly to the strike-adjusted 

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 separations 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 using the ratio of over-the-year CES 

employment change. 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.

Historical changes in 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.

2011 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012p 2011 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012p

Total ........................................................................................................... 3,408 3,657 3,722 3,593 3,661 3,547 3,675 2.5 2.7 2.7 2.6 2.7 2.6 2.7

INDUSTRY

Total private 4............................................................................................ 3,062 3,285 3,346 3,211 3,257 3,172 3,293 2.7 2.9 2.9 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.9

Construction........................................................................ 80 69 68 67 81 82 130 1.4 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.4 1.5 2.3

Manufacturing................................................................ 240 297 296 273 257 241 279 2.0 2.4 2.4 2.2 2.1 2.0 2.3

Trade, transportation, and utilities 5.............................. 594 591 588 585 592 592 594 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3

Retail trade................................................................................. 334 348 348 334 350 342 373 2.2 2.3 2.3 2.2 2.3 2.3 2.5

Professional and business services......................... 644 718 693 641 761 622 646 3.6 3.9 3.7 3.5 4.1 3.3 3.5

Education and health services 6........................................... 622 687 713 689 661 725 660 3.0 3.3 3.4 3.3 3.1 3.4 3.1

 Health care and social assistance... 558 629 660 604 601 654 608 3.2 3.6 3.7 3.4 3.4 3.7 3.4

Leisure and hospitality ...................................................... 404 432 460 469 405 366 431 2.9 3.1 3.3 3.3 2.9 2.6 3.0

Arts, entertainment, and recreation..................................... 62 52 47 50 50 54 52 3.1 2.6 2.4 2.5 2.5 2.7 2.6

Accommodation and food services......................... 342 381 413 419 355 312 379 2.9 3.2 3.4 3.5 2.9 2.6 3.1

Government 7......................................................................................... 345 372 376 382 404 375 382 1.5 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.8 1.7 1.7

State and local.................................................................................... 279 302 304 329 327 306 321 1.4 1.6 1.6 1.7 1.7 1.6 1.6

REGION 8

Northeast ......................................................................... 573 675 664 671 681 659 667 2.2 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.5 2.5

South ............................................................................................... 1,310 1,474 1,490 1,399 1,431 1,325 1,404 2.7 3.0 3.0 2.8 2.9 2.7 2.8

Midwest ......................................................................................... 715 755 777 759 790 817 842 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7

West ...................................................................................... 811 754 792 763 758 747 763 2.7 2.5 2.6 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5

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 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 educational services, 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

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

2011 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012p 2011 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012p

Total ........................................................................................................... 4,220 4,461 4,284 4,278 4,440 4,204 4,339 3.2 3.4 3.2 3.2 3.3 3.1 3.2

INDUSTRY

Total private 4............................................................................................ 3,979 4,176 4,000 3,989 4,109 3,922 4,056 3.6 3.8 3.6 3.6 3.7 3.5 3.6

Construction........................................................................ 333 314 355 359 323 327 321 6.0 5.7 6.4 6.5 5.9 5.9 5.8

Manufacturing................................................................ 240 262 270 244 230 235 252 2.0 2.2 2.3 2.0 1.9 2.0 2.1

Trade, transportation, and utilities 5.............................. 840 872 821 848 892 819 884 3.3 3.4 3.2 3.3 3.5 3.2 3.5

Retail trade................................................................................. 559 577 556 570 577 548 595 3.8 3.9 3.8 3.9 3.9 3.7 4.0

Professional and business services......................... 893 982 931 871 915 848 888 5.1 5.5 5.2 4.9 5.1 4.7 4.9

Education and health services 6........................................... 484 540 494 500 502 499 499 2.4 2.7 2.4 2.5 2.5 2.4 2.4

 Health care and social assistance... 414 466 425 427 430 417 428 2.5 2.7 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.4 2.5

Leisure and hospitality ...................................................... 719 715 700 720 747 708 754 5.4 5.3 5.1 5.3 5.5 5.2 5.5

Arts, entertainment, and recreation..................................... 131 115 108 106 104 102 133 6.9 6.0 5.7 5.5 5.4 5.3 6.9

Accommodation and food services......................... 588 600 592 614 643 606 621 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.2 5.5 5.1 5.3

Government 7......................................................................................... 241 285 284 288 332 283 283 1.1 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.5 1.3 1.3

State and local.................................................................................... 215 254 256 268 300 251 255 1.1 1.3 1.3 1.4 1.6 1.3 1.3

REGION 8

Northeast ......................................................................... 684 696 701 675 676 745 644 2.7 2.7 2.8 2.7 2.7 2.9 2.5

South ............................................................................................... 1,656 1,781 1,691 1,674 1,758 1,722 1,751 3.5 3.7 3.5 3.5 3.6 3.6 3.6

Midwest ......................................................................................... 960 1,030 985 993 1,056 893 965 3.2 3.4 3.3 3.3 3.5 2.9 3.2

West ...................................................................................... 919 953 908 935 951 844 979 3.2 3.3 3.1 3.2 3.3 2.9 3.3

 1 Hires are the number of hires during the entire month. 6

 Includes educational services, not shown separately.

 2 The hires rate is the number of hires during the entire month as a percent of 7

 Includes federal government, not shown separately.

total employment. 8

 See footnote 8, table 1. 

3

 Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent seasonal p Preliminary

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.

5

 Includes wholesale trade and transportation, warehousing, and utilities, 

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.

2011 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012p 2011 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012p

Total ........................................................................................................... 4,065 4,463 4,249 4,088 4,355 4,017 4,084 3.1 3.4 3.2 3.1 3.3 3.0 3.1

INDUSTRY

Total private 4............................................................................................ 3,781 4,163 3,943 3,789 4,062 3,759 3,776 3.4 3.7 3.5 3.4 3.6 3.4 3.4

Construction........................................................................ 325 359 342 358 316 332 299 5.9 6.5 6.2 6.5 5.7 6.0 5.4

Manufacturing................................................................ 227 248 263 228 250 235 234 1.9 2.1 2.2 1.9 2.1 2.0 2.0

Trade, transportation, and utilities 5.............................. 813 835 827 815 883 805 832 3.2 3.3 3.3 3.2 3.5 3.2 3.3

Retail trade................................................................................. 539 586 558 556 587 541 554 3.7 4.0 3.8 3.8 4.0 3.7 3.7

Professional and business services......................... 831 1,035 921 807 911 821 785 4.8 5.8 5.1 4.5 5.1 4.6 4.4

Education and health services 6........................................... 450 479 493 463 474 438 471 2.2 2.4 2.4 2.3 2.3 2.1 2.3

 Health care and social assistance.... 386 414 409 396 404 375 396 2.3 2.4 2.4 2.3 2.4 2.2 2.3

Leisure and hospitality ...................................................... 663 712 679 685 730 672 704 5.0 5.2 5.0 5.0 5.3 4.9 5.1

Arts, entertainment, and recreation..................................... 114 135 101 105 88 104 118 6.0 7.0 5.3 5.5 4.5 5.4 6.1

Accommodation and food services......................... 549 577 578 579 642 568 586 4.8 4.9 4.9 4.9 5.5 4.8 5.0

Government 7......................................................................................... 285 300 306 299 292 258 308 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.3 1.2 1.4

State and local.................................................................................... 253 270 276 271 262 226 269 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.2 1.4

REGION 8

Northeast......................................................................... 702 690 668 711 671 704 676 2.8 2.7 2.6 2.8 2.6 2.8 2.7

South............................................................................................... 1,537 1,772 1,690 1,579 1,696 1,646 1,625 3.2 3.7 3.5 3.3 3.5 3.4 3.3

Midwest......................................................................................... 949 1,038 912 894 1,056 868 846 3.2 3.4 3.0 3.0 3.5 2.9 2.8

West...................................................................................... 877 963 979 905 931 801 937 3.0 3.3 3.4 3.1 3.2 2.7 3.2

 1 Total separations are the number of total separations during the entire 6

 Includes educational services, not shown separately.

month. 7

 Includes federal government, not shown separately.

 2 The total separations rate is the number of total separations during the 8

 See footnote 8, table 1. 

entire month as a percent of total employment. p

 Preliminary

3

 Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent 

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.

5

 Includes wholesale trade and transportation, warehousing, and utilities, 

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.

2011 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012p 2011 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012p

Total ........................................................................................................... 1,983 2,176 2,133 2,163 2,151 1,964 2,067 1.5 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.5 1.5

INDUSTRY

Total private 4............................................................................................ 1,869 2,041 1,998 2,033 2,025 1,849 1,931 1.7 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.7 1.7

Construction........................................................................ 80 79 86 87 75 69 93 1.5 1.4 1.6 1.6 1.4 1.3 1.7

Manufacturing................................................................ 105 117 108 107 113 109 98 .9 1.0 .9 .9 .9 .9 .8

Trade, transportation, and utilities 5.............................. 461 440 465 482 471 425 462 1.8 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.9 1.7 1.8

Retail trade................................................................................. 330 318 330 340 337 317 316 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.3 2.3 2.1 2.1

Professional and business services......................... 368 439 400 386 386 362 357 2.1 2.5 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.0 2.0

Education and health services 6........................................... 242 269 269 279 277 243 263 1.2 1.3 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.2 1.3

 Health care and social assistance.... 215 239 229 248 234 206 228 1.3 1.4 1.3 1.5 1.4 1.2 1.3

Leisure and hospitality ...................................................... 374 448 440 432 430 411 430 2.8 3.3 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.0 3.1

Arts, entertainment, and recreation..................................... 41 52 49 47 44 33 43 2.1 2.7 2.6 2.5 2.3 1.7 2.2

Accommodation and food services......................... 334 396 391 385 386 377 387 2.9 3.4 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.2 3.3

Government 7......................................................................................... 114 136 135 130 125 115 136 .5 .6 .6 .6 .6 .5 .6

State and local.................................................................................... 102 124 126 119 115 105 121 .5 .6 .7 .6 .6 .5 .6

REGION 8

Northeast ......................................................................... 288 305 300 315 325 290 285 1.1 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.3 1.1 1.1

South ............................................................................................... 782 899 925 945 906 868 893 1.6 1.9 1.9 2.0 1.9 1.8 1.8

Midwest ......................................................................................... 477 521 474 449 488 431 450 1.6 1.7 1.6 1.5 1.6 1.4 1.5

West ...................................................................................... 436 452 434 454 432 375 439 1.5 1.6 1.5 1.6 1.5 1.3 1.5

 1 Quits are the number of quits during the entire month. 6

 Includes educational services, not shown separately.

 2 The quits rate is the number of quits during the entire month as a 7

 Includes federal government, not shown separately.

percent of total employment. 8

 See footnote 8, 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.

5

 Includes wholesale trade and transportation, warehousing, and utilities, 

not shown separately.

Industry and region

Industry and region

Levels 3 (in thousands) Rates

Levels 3 (in thousands) Rates
Table 5. Layoffs and discharges 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.

2011 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012p 2011 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012p

Total ........................................................................................................... 1,740 1,956 1,761 1,582 1,848 1,728 1,660 1.3 1.5 1.3 1.2 1.4 1.3 1.2

INDUSTRY

Total private 4............................................................................................ 1,630 1,852 1,655 1,482 1,745 1,643 1,557 1.5 1.7 1.5 1.3 1.6 1.5 1.4

Construction........................................................................ – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Manufacturing................................................................ – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Trade, transportation, and utilities 5.............................. – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Retail trade................................................................................. – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Professional and business services......................... – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Education and health services 6........................................... – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

 Health care and social assistance... – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

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

Arts, entertainment, and recreation..................................... – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Accommodation and food services......................... – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Government 7......................................................................................... 110 104 106 100 103 85 102 .5 .5 .5 .5 .5 .4 .5

State and local.................................................................................... – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

REGION 8

Northeast......................................................................... 340 331 298 323 269 344 329 1.4 1.3 1.2 1.3 1.1 1.4 1.3

South............................................................................................... 639 761 633 522 686 653 594 1.3 1.6 1.3 1.1 1.4 1.3 1.2

Midwest......................................................................................... 393 443 366 365 467 365 319 1.3 1.5 1.2 1.2 1.5 1.2 1.0

West...................................................................................... 368 421 464 372 426 366 418 1.3 1.4 1.6 1.3 1.5 1.2 1.4

 1 Layoffs and discharges are the number of layoffs and discharges during the 6

 Includes educational services, not shown separately.

entire month. 7

 Includes federal government, not shown separately.

 2 The layoffs and discharges rate is the number of layoffs and discharges during 8

 See footnote 8, table 1. 

the entire month as a percent of total employment. p

 Preliminary

3

 Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent – Data not available.

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.

5

 Includes wholesale trade and transportation, warehousing, and utilities, 

not shown separately.

Table 6. Other 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.

2011 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012p 2011 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012p

Total ........................................................................................................... 342 331 355 343 356 326 357 .3 .2 .3 .3 .3 .2 .3

INDUSTRY

Total private 4............................................................................................ 281 270 290 274 292 267 288 .3 .2 .3 .2 .3 .2 .3

Construction........................................................................ – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Manufacturing................................................................ – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Trade, transportation, and utilities 5.............................. – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Retail trade................................................................................. – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Professional and business services......................... – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Education and health services 6........................................... – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

 Health care and social assistance... – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

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

Arts, entertainment, and recreation..................................... – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Accommodation and food services......................... – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Government 7......................................................................................... 61 61 65 69 64 59 70 .3 .3 .3 .3 .3 .3 .3

State and local.................................................................................... – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

REGION 8

Northeast ......................................................................... – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

South ............................................................................................... – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Midwest ......................................................................................... – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

West ...................................................................................... – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

 1 Other separations are the number of other separations during the entire month. 6

 Includes educational services, not shown separately.

 2 The other separations rate is the number of other separations during the entire 7

 Includes federal government, not shown separately.

month as a percent of total employment. 8

 See footnote 8, 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. – Data not available.

4

 Includes mining and logging, information, financial activities, 

and other services, not shown separately.

5

 Includes wholesale trade and transportation, warehousing, and utilities, 

not shown separately.

Industry and region

Levels 3 (in thousands) Rates

Industry and region

Levels 3 (in thousands) Rates
Table 7. Job openings levels 1

 and rates 2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted

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

2011 2012 2012p 2011 2012 2012p

Total........................................................................................................... 3,659 3,584 3,928 2.7 2.6 2.8

INDUSTRY

Total private............................................................................................ 3,310 3,217 3,546 2.9 2.8 3.1

Mining and logging...................................................22 18 16 2.7 2.1 1.9

Construction...................................................................................................... 76 86 132 1.3 1.5 2.2

Manufacturing..................................................................................... 243 246 282 2.0 2.0 2.3

Durable goods.............................................................................. 162 144 176 2.2 1.9 2.3

Nondurable goods....................................................................... 81 102 107 1.8 2.2 2.3

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................................................... 684 664 696 2.6 2.6 2.7

Wholesale trade........................................................................... 155 129 108 2.7 2.2 1.9

Retail trade................................................................................. 423 403 483 2.8 2.7 3.2

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...................... 106 131 104 2.1 2.6 2.0

Information...................................................................................... 119 101 119 4.3 3.7 4.3

Financial activities........................................................................... 248 280 258 3.1 3.5 3.2

Finance and insurance..................................................................................... 185 218 198 3.1 3.6 3.3

Real estate and rental and leasing................................... 64 62 60 3.2 3.0 3.0

Professional and business services........................................ 702 618 695 3.8 3.3 3.7

Education and health services................................................................. 661 705 696 3.2 3.4 3.3

Educational services................................................................ 68 64 56 2.0 1.9 1.6

Health care and social assistance.................................. 592 641 641 3.4 3.6 3.6

Leisure and hospitality.................................................................. 424 372 455 3.1 2.6 3.2

Arts, entertainment, and recreation..................................... 63 52 53 3.2 2.5 2.7

Accommodation and food services............................... 362 320 402 3.1 2.6 3.3

Other services................................................................................. 129 129 196 2.4 2.3 3.5

Government......................................................................................... 349 368 383 1.5 1.7 1.7

Federal................................................................................................ 72 67 66 2.5 2.3 2.3

State and local.................................................................................... 277 301 316 1.4 1.6 1.6

REGION 3

Northeast......................................................................................... 630 663 732 2.4 2.5 2.8

South............................................................................................... 1,402 1,320 1,491 2.8 2.6 3.0

Midwest................................................................................................. 740 849 871 2.4 2.7 2.8

West....................................................................................................... 887 752 834 3.0 2.5 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 8, table 1.

 p Preliminary

Industry and region

Levels (in thousands) Rates
Table 8. Hires levels 1

 and rates 2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted

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

2011 2012 2012p 2011 2012 2012p

Total........................................................................................................... 4,509 4,380 4,608 3.4 3.3 3.4

INDUSTRY

Total private............................................................................................ 4,275 3,999 4,352 3.9 3.6 3.9

Mining and logging...................................................29 27 27 3.5 3.1 3.3

Construction...................................................................................................... 350 320 336 6.1 5.5 5.8

Manufacturing..................................................................................... 244 230 255 2.1 1.9 2.1

Durable goods.............................................................................. 140 124 151 1.9 1.7 2.0

Nondurable goods....................................................................... 104 106 104 2.3 2.3 2.3

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................................................... 976 871 1,046 3.9 3.4 4.1

Wholesale trade........................................................................... 145 132 138 2.6 2.3 2.4

Retail trade................................................................................. 679 592 735 4.6 4.0 5.0

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...................... 153 147 173 3.1 2.9 3.5

Information...................................................................................... 62 56 68 2.3 2.2 2.6

Financial activities........................................................................... 193 192 207 2.5 2.5 2.7

Finance and insurance..................................................................................... 108 123 141 1.9 2.1 2.4

Real estate and rental and leasing................................... 85 69 67 4.4 3.5 3.4

Professional and business services........................................ 952 788 937 5.4 4.4 5.2

Education and health services................................................................. 526 596 537 2.6 2.9 2.6

Educational services................................................................ 76 154 75 2.2 4.7 2.2

Health care and social assistance.................................. 449 442 461 2.7 2.6 2.7

Leisure and hospitality.................................................................. 689 718 719 5.2 5.2 5.2

Arts, entertainment, and recreation..................................... 99 94 99 5.3 4.7 5.2

Accommodation and food services............................... 590 624 620 5.1 5.2 5.3

Other services................................................................................. 255 202 219 4.8 3.8 4.1

Government......................................................................................... 234 380 256 1.0 1.7 1.1

Federal................................................................................................ 27 35 27 .9 1.2 1.0

State and local.................................................................................... 208 345 229 1.1 1.8 1.2

REGION 3

Northeast......................................................................................... 720 839 663 2.8 3.3 2.6

South............................................................................................... 1,795 1,745 1,886 3.7 3.6 3.9

Midwest................................................................................................. 1,033 910 1,027 3.4 3.0 3.4

West....................................................................................................... 960 887 1,032 3.3 3.0 3.5

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

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

 3 See footnote 8, table 1.

 p Preliminary

Industry and region

Levels (in thousands) Rates
Table 9. Total separations levels 1

 and rates 2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted

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

2011 2012 2012p 2011 2012 2012p

Total........................................................................................................... 4,286 4,291 4,267 3.2 3.2 3.2

INDUSTRY

Total private............................................................................................ 4,062 3,971 4,022 3.7 3.5 3.6

Mining and logging...................................................23 30 35 2.9 3.5 4.2

Construction...................................................................................................... 354 338 327 6.2 5.9 5.7

Manufacturing..................................................................................... 251 235 258 2.1 2.0 2.1

Durable goods.............................................................................. 138 144 158 1.9 1.9 2.1

Nondurable goods....................................................................... 113 91 99 2.5 2.0 2.2

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................................................... 817 820 838 3.2 3.2 3.3

Wholesale trade........................................................................... 130 134 136 2.3 2.4 2.4

Retail trade................................................................................. 538 549 546 3.7 3.7 3.7

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...................... 148 137 157 3.0 2.7 3.1

Information...................................................................................... 63 62 61 2.4 2.4 2.3

Financial activities........................................................................... 195 191 201 2.5 2.5 2.6

Finance and insurance..................................................................................... 102 123 123 1.8 2.1 2.1

Real estate and rental and leasing................................... 94 68 79 4.8 3.5 4.0

Professional and business services........................................ 872 775 808 4.9 4.3 4.4

Education and health services................................................................. 422 456 438 2.1 2.2 2.1

Educational services................................................................ 47 71 57 1.4 2.2 1.6

Health care and social assistance.................................. 375 384 381 2.2 2.3 2.2

Leisure and hospitality.................................................................. 819 854 855 6.1 6.1 6.2

Arts, entertainment, and recreation..................................... 157 195 162 8.4 9.8 8.5

Accommodation and food services............................... 662 659 693 5.8 5.5 5.9

Other services................................................................................. 245 211 201 4.6 3.9 3.7

Government......................................................................................... 224 320 245 1.0 1.5 1.1

Federal................................................................................................ 31 42 40 1.1 1.5 1.4

State and local.................................................................................... 192 278 205 1.0 1.5 1.0

REGION 3

Northeast......................................................................................... 718 841 700 2.8 3.3 2.7

South............................................................................................... 1,619 1,644 1,675 3.4 3.4 3.4

Midwest................................................................................................. 1,016 944 880 3.4 3.1 2.9

West....................................................................................................... 933 862 1,011 3.2 2.9 3.4

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

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

 3 See footnote 8, table 1.

 p Preliminary

Industry and region

Levels (in thousands) Rates
Table 10. Quits levels 1

 and rates 2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted

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

2011 2012 2012p 2011 2012 2012p

Total........................................................................................................... 2,091 2,143 2,155 1.6 1.6 1.6

INDUSTRY

Total private............................................................................................ 2,000 2,013 2,044 1.8 1.8 1.8

Mining and logging...................................................16 18 23 1.9 2.2 2.7

Construction...................................................................................................... 89 75 109 1.5 1.3 1.9

Manufacturing..................................................................................... 114 114 104 1.0 1.0 .9

Durable goods.............................................................................. 62 61 65 .8 .8 .9

Nondurable goods....................................................................... 53 53 39 1.2 1.2 .9

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................................................... 470 469 477 1.9 1.9 1.9

Wholesale trade........................................................................... 74 54 75 1.3 1.0 1.3

Retail trade................................................................................. 335 351 318 2.3 2.4 2.1

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...................... 61 64 84 1.2 1.3 1.7

Information...................................................................................... 37 38 32 1.4 1.5 1.2

Financial activities........................................................................... 101 113 92 1.3 1.5 1.2

Finance and insurance..................................................................................... 65 68 58 1.1 1.2 1.0

Real estate and rental and leasing................................... 36 45 33 1.9 2.3 1.7

Professional and business services........................................ 411 355 385 2.3 2.0 2.1

Education and health services................................................................. 248 267 264 1.2 1.3 1.3

Educational services................................................................ 24 48 30 .7 1.4 .9

Health care and social assistance.................................. 225 219 234 1.3 1.3 1.4

Leisure and hospitality.................................................................. 408 485 464 3.1 3.5 3.4

Arts, entertainment, and recreation..................................... 41 52 42 2.2 2.6 2.2

Accommodation and food services............................... 367 434 421 3.2 3.6 3.6

Other services................................................................................. 105 77 96 2.0 1.4 1.8

Government......................................................................................... 92 130 111 .4 .6 .5

Federal................................................................................................ 10 11 13 .3 .4 .5

State and local.................................................................................... 82 119 98 .4 .6 .5

REGION 3

Northeast......................................................................................... 301 355 295 1.2 1.4 1.1

South............................................................................................... 816 905 918 1.7 1.9 1.9

Midwest................................................................................................. 523 465 485 1.7 1.5 1.6

West....................................................................................................... 450 417 457 1.5 1.4 1.5

 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

Industry and region

Levels (in thousands) Rates
Table 11. Layoffs and discharges levels 1

 and rates 2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted

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

2011 2012 2012p 2011 2012 2012p

Total........................................................................................................... 1,861 1,833 1,765 1.4 1.4 1.3

INDUSTRY

Total private............................................................................................ 1,770 1,698 1,684 1.6 1.5 1.5

Mining and logging...................................................5 10 11 .6 1.2 1.3

Construction...................................................................................................... 250 256 215 4.3 4.4 3.7

Manufacturing..................................................................................... 106 103 138 .9 .9 1.1

Durable goods.............................................................................. 62 71 85 .8 .9 1.1

Nondurable goods....................................................................... 45 32 53 1.0 .7 1.2

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................................................... 261 275 283 1.0 1.1 1.1

Wholesale trade........................................................................... 42 74 47 .8 1.3 .8

Retail trade................................................................................. 151 142 183 1.0 1.0 1.2

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...................... 68 59 52 1.4 1.2 1.0

Information...................................................................................... 23 16 22 .9 .6 .8

Financial activities........................................................................... 75 36 74 1.0 .5 1.0

Finance and insurance..................................................................................... 25 22 33 .4 .4 .6

Real estate and rental and leasing................................... 49 14 41 2.5 .7 2.1

Professional and business services........................................ 401 388 339 2.3 2.2 1.9

Education and health services................................................................. 134 143 139 .7 .7 .7

Educational services................................................................ 20 19 22 .6 .6 .6

Health care and social assistance.................................. 114 124 117 .7 .7 .7

Leisure and hospitality.................................................................. 387 342 361 2.9 2.5 2.6

Arts, entertainment, and recreation..................................... 114 140 116 6.1 7.0 6.1

Accommodation and food services............................... 273 202 245 2.4 1.7 2.1

Other services................................................................................. 128 130 103 2.4 2.4 1.9

Government......................................................................................... 91 135 81 .4 .6 .4

Federal................................................................................................ 14 21 17 .5 .7 .6

State and local.................................................................................... 77 114 65 .4 .6 .3

REGION 3

Northeast......................................................................................... 340 414 340 1.3 1.6 1.3

South............................................................................................... 688 624 623 1.4 1.3 1.3

Midwest................................................................................................. 416 411 321 1.4 1.4 1.0

West....................................................................................................... 417 383 481 1.4 1.3 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

Industry and region

Levels (in thousands) Rates
Table 12. Other separations levels 1

 and rates 2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted

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

2011 2012 2012p 2011 2012 2012p

Total........................................................................................................... 333 315 347 0.3 0.2 0.3

INDUSTRY

Total private............................................................................................ 292 260 294 .3 .2 .3

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

Construction...................................................................................................... 15 7 3 .3 .1 .1

Manufacturing..................................................................................... 31 18 16 .3 .2 .1

Durable goods.............................................................................. 15 12 9 .2 .2 .1

Nondurable goods....................................................................... 16 6 7 .4 .1 .2

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................................................... 86 76 79 .3 .3 .3

Wholesale trade........................................................................... 15 6 14 .3 .1 .2

Retail trade................................................................................. 52 57 45 .4 .4 .3

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...................... 19 13 21 .4 .3 .4

Information...................................................................................... 3 7 7 .1 .3 .3

Financial activities........................................................................... 20 42 36 .3 .5 .5

Finance and insurance..................................................................................... 11 32 31 .2 .6 .5

Real estate and rental and leasing................................... 8 10 5 .4 .5 .2

Professional and business services........................................ 59 32 84 .3 .2 .5

Education and health services................................................................. 40 46 34 .2 .2 .2

Educational services................................................................ 4 5 4 .1 .1 .1

Health care and social assistance.................................. 36 41 30 .2 .2 .2

Leisure and hospitality.................................................................. 23 27 30 .2 .2 .2

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

Accommodation and food services............................... 22 24 27 .2 .2 .2

Other services................................................................................. 12 4 3 .2 .1 .1

Government......................................................................................... 41 55 53 .2 .3 .2

Federal................................................................................................ 8 10 10 .3 .4 .4

State and local.................................................................................... 33 45 42 .2 .2 .2

REGION 3

Northeast......................................................................................... 76 72 65 .3 .3 .3

South............................................................................................... 114 115 135 .2 .2 .3

Midwest................................................................................................. 76 67 75 .3 .2 .2

West....................................................................................................... 66 61 72 .2 .2 .2

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

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

 3 See footnote 8, table 1.

 p Preliminary

Industry and region

Levels (in thousands) Rates