For release 10:00 a.m. (EST) Tuesday, December 13, 2011 USDL-11-1745

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 2011

There were 3.3 million job openings on the last business day of October, the U.S. Bureau of Labor 

Statistics reported today. The hires rate (3.1 percent) and separations rate (3.0 percent) were little 

changed over the month. The job openings rate has trended upward since the end of the recession in 

June 2009. (Recession dates are determined by the National Bureau of Economic Research.) 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 3.3 million, essentially unchanged from 3.4 million in

September. (See table 1.) Although the number of job openings remained below the 4.4 million openings 

when the recession began in December 2007, the level in October was 1.2 million higher than in July 

2009 (the most recent trough for the series). The number of job openings has increased 35 percent since 

the end of the recession in June 2009. 

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

nonfarm and total private but was little changed for government. A few industries and 3 out of 4 regions 

experienced an increase over the year in the number of job openings. (See table 5.) 

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

2009 2010 2011

Chart 1. Job openings rate, seasonally adjusted,

November 2008 - October 2011

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). 

2.0

2.2

2.4

2.6

2.8

3.0

3.2

3.4

3.6

3.8

4.0

Hires

Separations

Percent

2009 2010 2011

Chart 2. Hires and separations rates, seasonally adjusted,

November 2008 - October 2011

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

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

Hires

In October, the hires rate was little changed at 3.1 percent for total nonfarm. The hires rate was 

essentially unchanged over the month in all industries and regions. (See table 2.) The number of hires in 

October was 4.0 million, up from 3.6 million in October 2009 (the most recent trough) but below the 5.0 

million hires recorded when the recession began in December 2007. The number of hires has edged up

by 12 percent since the end of the recession in June 2009. 

Over the past 12 months, the hires rate (not seasonally adjusted) was little changed for total nonfarm, 

total private, and government. The hires rate was essentially unchanged over the year in every industry 

except finance and insurance where the rate decreased, and real estate and rental and leasing where the 

rate increased. The hires rate was essentially unchanged in all four regions. (See table 6.) 

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

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

2010 2011 2011p 2010 2011 2011p 2010 2011 2011p

Total ......................................................2,905 3,377 3,267 3,865 4,150 4,040 3,702 4,052 3,932

Total private 1....................................... 2,560 3,003 2,907 3,580 3,885 3,782 3,436 3,763 3,646

Construction....................................... 69 70 93 331 367 320 323 338 309

Manufacturing.................................... 193 235 231 259 234 226 266 238 209

Trade, transportation, and utilities 2......... 445 561 564 777 778 823 741 782 782

Retail trade..................................... 272 328 321 545 547 549 527 546 523

Professional and business services......... 575 675 618 730 895 833 709 850 809

Education and health services............... 569 616 602 465 482 464 408 414 436

Leisure and hospitality ........................ 274 383 366 596 698 670 613 693 639

Arts, entertainment, and recreation...... 27 62 50 87 126 117 106 137 98

Accommodation and food services...... 247 321 316 508 572 553 507 557 541

Government 3..................................... 345 374 360 285 264 258 265 289 287

State and local government.................. 272 312 293 250 237 232 220 255 255

Total ...................................................... 2.2 2.5 2.4 3.0 3.2 3.1 2.8 3.1 3.0

Total private 1....................................... 2.3 2.7 2.6 3.3 3.6 3.5 3.2 3.4 3.3

Construction....................................... 1.2 1.3 1.7 6.0 6.6 5.8 5.9 6.1 5.6

Manufacturing.................................... 1.6 2.0 1.9 2.2 2.0 1.9 2.3 2.0 1.8

Trade, transportation, and utilities 2......... 1.8 2.2 2.2 3.1 3.1 3.3 3.0 3.1 3.1

Retail trade.................................... 1.8 2.2 2.1 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.6 3.7 3.6

Professional and business services......... 3.3 3.8 3.4 4.4 5.2 4.8 4.2 4.9 4.7

Education and health services............... 2.8 3.0 2.9 2.4 2.4 2.3 2.1 2.1 2.2

Leisure and hospitality ........................ 2.1 2.8 2.7 4.6 5.3 5.0 4.7 5.2 4.8

Arts, entertainment, and recreation...... 1.4 3.1 2.6 4.6 6.6 6.2 5.6 7.2 5.1

Accommodation and food services...... 2.2 2.8 2.7 4.5 5.0 4.9 4.5 4.9 4.8

Government 3..................................... 1.5 1.7 1.6 1.3 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.3 1.3

State and local government.................. 1.4 1.6 1.5 1.3 1.2 1.2 1.1 1.3 1.3

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

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

 3 Includes federal government, not show n separately.

 p = Preliminary

Rates (percent)

Job openings Hires Total separations

Levels (in thousands)
- 3 - 

Separations 

The total separations figure includes voluntary quits, involuntary layoffs and discharges, and other 

separations, including retirements. Total separations is also referred to as turnover.

The seasonally adjusted total separations rate was little changed in October for total nonfarm, total 

private, and government. (See table 3.) Over the year, the total separations rate (not seasonally adjusted) 

was little changed for total nonfarm, total private, and government. (See table 7.) 

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

quits rate was unchanged for total nonfarm, total private, and government. (See table 4.) The number of 

quits rose from 1.5 million in January 2010 (the most recent trough) to 1.9 million in October, although 

it remained below the 2.8 million recorded when the recession began in December 2007. 

 

The number of quits (not seasonally adjusted) in October 2011 was little changed from 12 months earlier

for total nonfarm, total private, and government. Two industries experienced an over-the-year change—

mining and logging, and wholesale trade—where the number of quits increased from October 2010. (See 

table 8.) 

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

nonfarm, total private, and government levels. The layoffs and discharges rate was essentially

unchanged in October 2011 for total nonfarm, total private, and government. The number of layoffs and 

discharges for total nonfarm was 1.6 million in October, down from a peak of 2.5 million in February 

2009, and below the 1.8 million layoffs and discharges at the start of the recession in December 2007. 

(See table B.) 

The layoffs and discharges level (not seasonally adjusted) for total nonfarm, total private, and 

government was little changed over the 12 months ending in October 2011. Over the year, the number of 

layoffs and discharges declined for durable goods manufacturing, nondurable goods manufacturing, and 

finance and insurance. The number of layoffs and discharges was little changed over the year in all four 

regions. (See table 9.)

The other separations series is not seasonally adjusted. In October 2011, there were 356,000 other 

separations for total nonfarm, 315,000 for total private, and 41,000 for government. Compared to 

October 2010, the number of other separations was up for total nonfarm and total private, but the same 

for government. (See table 10.)

Table B. Layoffs and discharges, seasonally adjusted

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

2010 2011 2011p 2010 2011 2011p

Total...............................................................1,635 1,723 1,601 1.3 1.3 1.2

Total private...................................................1,534 1,605 1,494 1.4 1.5 1.4

Government................................................... 102 117 106 0.5 0.5 0.5

 p = Preliminary

Industry

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

Relative Contributions to Separations 

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

layoffs and discharges, and other separations. Other separations is historically a very small portion of 

total separations; it has rarely been above 10 percent of total separations. The percentage of total 

separations attributable to the individual components has varied over time at the total nonfarm level, but 

for the majority of the months since the series began in December 2000, the proportion of quits has 

exceeded the proportion of layoffs and discharges. For most of the months between November 2008 and 

November 2010, however, the proportion of layoffs and discharges was equal to or greater than the 

proportion of quits. Since November 2010, the series have returned to their historical pattern. In October

2011, the proportion of quits for total nonfarm was 49 percent, and the proportion of layoffs and 

discharges was 41 percent. (See table C.) 

Net Change in Employment

Large numbers of hires and separations occur every month throughout the business cycle. Over the 12 

months ending in October 2011, hires totaled 48.1 million and separations totaled 46.8 million, yielding 

a net employment gain of 1.3 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 2011 are scheduled to be 

released on Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. (EST). Scheduled release dates for 2012 are 

as follows: 

Dec. — Feb. 7 June — Aug. 7 

Jan. — March 13 July — Sept. 11 

Feb. — April 10 Aug. — Oct. 10 

March — May 8 Sept. — Nov. 6 

April — June 19 Oct. — Dec. 11

May — July 10 

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 .................................... 1,755 47% 2,000 49% 1,934 49% 1,635 44% 1,723 43% 1,601 41%

Total private...........................1,654 48% 1,884 50% 1,817 50% 1,534 45% 1,605 43% 1,494 41%

Government ........................ 101 38% 116 40% 117 41% 102 38% 117 40% 106 37%

 p = Preliminary

Industry

Quits Layoffs and discharges

Oct.

2010

Sept.

2011

Oct.

2011p

Oct.

2010

Sept.

2011

Oct.

2011p
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.

2010 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011p 2010 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011p

Total ................................................... 2,905 3,034 3,169 3,213 3,129 3,377 3,267 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.4 2.3 2.5 2.4

INDUSTRY

Total private 4....................................... 2,560 2,725 2,835 2,905 2,799 3,003 2,907 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.5 2.7 2.6

Construction....................................... 69 100 68 75 102 70 93 1.2 1.8 1.2 1.3 1.8 1.3 1.7

Manufacturing.................................... 193 211 217 252 232 235 231 1.6 1.8 1.8 2.1 1.9 2.0 1.9

Trade, transportation, and utilities 5

......... 445 484 515 540 490 561 564 1.8 1.9 2.0 2.1 1.9 2.2 2.2

Retail trade....................................... 272 276 332 312 324 328 321 1.8 1.9 2.2 2.1 2.2 2.2 2.1

Professional and business services......... 575 615 616 640 621 675 618 3.3 3.5 3.5 3.6 3.5 3.8 3.4

Education and health services............... 569 594 596 604 609 616 602 2.8 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9 3.0 2.9

Leisure and hospitality ........................ 274 298 360 338 351 383 366 2.1 2.2 2.6 2.5 2.6 2.8 2.7

Arts, entertainment, and recreation...... 27 34 55 62 44 62 50 1.4 1.8 2.8 3.2 2.3 3.1 2.6

Accommodation and food services...... 247 264 305 276 307 321 316 2.2 2.3 2.6 2.4 2.6 2.8 2.7

Government 6

....................................... 345 309 334 309 329 374 360 1.5 1.4 1.5 1.4 1.5 1.7 1.6

State and local government................... 272 261 279 253 287 312 293 1.4 1.3 1.4 1.3 1.5 1.6 1.5

REGION 7

Northeast .......................................... 605 586 522 570 589 586 535 2.4 2.3 2.0 2.2 2.3 2.3 2.1

South ................................................1,084 1,087 1,109 1,192 1,108 1,273 1,233 2.2 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.3 2.6 2.5

Midwest ............................................. 584 730 686 714 732 704 694 1.9 2.4 2.3 2.3 2.4 2.3 2.3

West ................................................ 740 719 753 753 775 818 827 2.5 2.4 2.5 2.5 2.6 2.8 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.

2010 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011p 2010 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011p

Total ................................................... 3,865 4,129 4,058 3,976 4,060 4,150 4,040 3.0 3.2 3.1 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.1

INDUSTRY

Total private 4....................................... 3,580 3,870 3,797 3,733 3,785 3,885 3,782 3.3 3.6 3.5 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.5

Construction....................................... 331 371 360 334 309 367 320 6.0 6.7 6.5 6.0 5.6 6.6 5.8

Manufacturing.................................... 259 263 260 259 249 234 226 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.1 2.0 1.9

Trade, transportation, and utilities 5

......... 777 804 802 767 779 778 823 3.1 3.2 3.2 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.3

Retail trade....................................... 545 557 553 552 526 547 549 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.6 3.8 3.8

Professional and business services......... 730 902 806 819 863 895 833 4.4 5.3 4.7 4.8 5.0 5.2 4.8

Education and health services............... 465 480 485 472 481 482 464 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.3

Leisure and hospitality ........................ 596 629 689 682 679 698 670 4.6 4.8 5.2 5.2 5.1 5.3 5.0

Arts, entertainment, and recreation...... 87 111 104 96 110 126 117 4.6 5.9 5.5 5.1 5.8 6.6 6.2

Accommodation and food services...... 508 517 585 586 569 572 553 4.5 4.6 5.2 5.2 5.0 5.0 4.9

Government 6

....................................... 285 259 261 243 275 264 258 1.3 1.2 1.2 1.1 1.2 1.2 1.2

State and local government................... 250 232 238 219 247 237 232 1.3 1.2 1.2 1.1 1.3 1.2 1.2

REGION 7

Northeast .......................................... 690 675 681 675 604 662 663 2.8 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.4 2.6 2.6

South ................................................1,449 1,643 1,503 1,488 1,526 1,592 1,578 3.1 3.5 3.2 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.3

Midwest ............................................. 880 890 908 910 919 987 915 3.0 3.0 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.3 3.1

West ................................................ 839 826 910 893 868 969 901 2.9 2.9 3.2 3.1 3.0 3.4 3.1

 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.

2010 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011p 2010 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011p

Total ................................................... 3,702 4,145 3,993 3,962 3,960 4,052 3,932 2.8 3.2 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.1 3.0

INDUSTRY

Total private 4

....................................... 3,436 3,844 3,687 3,659 3,688 3,763 3,646 3.2 3.5 3.4 3.4 3.4 3.4 3.3

Construction....................................... 323 376 371 327 320 338 309 5.9 6.8 6.7 5.9 5.8 6.1 5.6

Manufacturing.................................... 266 272 252 239 250 238 209 2.3 2.3 2.2 2.0 2.1 2.0 1.8

Trade, transportation, and utilities 5

......... 741 799 785 770 762 782 782 3.0 3.2 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.1

Retail trade.................................... 527 562 538 547 521 546 523 3.6 3.9 3.7 3.8 3.6 3.7 3.6

Professional and business services......... 709 892 766 806 824 850 809 4.2 5.2 4.5 4.7 4.8 4.9 4.7

Education and health services............... 408 450 459 431 444 414 436 2.1 2.3 2.3 2.2 2.2 2.1 2.2

Leisure and hospitality ........................ 613 652 653 670 689 693 639 4.7 4.9 4.9 5.1 5.2 5.2 4.8

Arts, entertainment, and recreation...... 106 123 101 97 113 137 98 5.6 6.6 5.3 5.1 6.0 7.2 5.1

Accommodation and food services...... 507 528 552 573 576 557 541 4.5 4.7 4.9 5.1 5.1 4.9 4.8

Government 6

....................................... 265 301 306 302 272 289 287 1.2 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.2 1.3 1.3

State and local government................... 220 271 273 271 240 255 255 1.1 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.2 1.3 1.3

REGION 7

Northeast.......................................... 678 757 634 665 627 687 664 2.7 3.0 2.5 2.7 2.5 2.7 2.6

South................................................1,290 1,528 1,421 1,482 1,463 1,519 1,482 2.7 3.2 3.0 3.1 3.1 3.2 3.1

Midwest............................................. 822 942 934 905 903 877 879 2.8 3.2 3.1 3.0 3.0 2.9 2.9

West................................................ 782 974 863 853 812 901 840 2.7 3.4 3.0 3.0 2.8 3.1 2.9

 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.

2010 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011p 2010 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011p

Total ................................................... 1,755 2,000 1,904 1,969 2,006 2,000 1,934 1.4 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5

INDUSTRY

Total private 4

....................................... 1,654 1,877 1,786 1,839 1,889 1,884 1,817 1.5 1.7 1.6 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7

Construction....................................... 77 92 75 71 66 84 78 1.4 1.7 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.5 1.4

Manufacturing.................................... 95 109 109 101 98 97 100 .8 .9 .9 .9 .8 .8 .9

Trade, transportation, and utilities 5

......... 376 463 432 412 422 437 440 1.5 1.9 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.8 1.8

Retail trade.................................... 291 351 333 316 319 327 309 2.0 2.4 2.3 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.1

Professional and business services......... 342 372 330 391 383 391 343 2.0 2.2 1.9 2.3 2.2 2.3 2.0

Education and health services............... 228 253 264 238 268 246 236 1.2 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.3 1.2 1.2

Leisure and hospitality ........................ 357 388 395 401 432 406 390 2.7 2.9 3.0 3.0 3.3 3.1 2.9

Arts, entertainment, and recreation...... 43 45 42 44 48 45 43 2.2 2.4 2.2 2.3 2.6 2.4 2.3

Accommodation and food services...... 314 343 353 357 384 361 347 2.8 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.4 3.2 3.0

Government 6

....................................... 101 123 117 130 117 116 117 .5 .6 .5 .6 .5 .5 .5

State and local government................... 89 114 108 121 108 105 105 .5 .6 .6 .6 .6 .5 .5

REGION 7

Northeast.......................................... 266 330 264 264 285 275 266 1.1 1.3 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1

South................................................ 679 816 744 782 821 836 766 1.4 1.7 1.6 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.6

Midwest............................................. 415 484 465 476 495 440 429 1.4 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.7 1.5 1.4

West................................................ 377 460 406 460 447 433 437 1.3 1.6 1.4 1.6 1.5 1.5 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.

2010 2011 2011p 2010 2011 2011p

Total............................................................... 2,979 3,454 3,370 2.2 2.6 2.5

INDUSTRY

Total private................................................... 2,636 3,083 3,004 2.4 2.7 2.7

Mining and logging....................................... 18 32 15 2.3 3.8 1.8

Construction................................................ 61 74 87 1.1 1.3 1.5

Manufacturing............................................. 191 246 229 1.6 2.0 1.9

Durable goods.......................................... 134 170 154 1.8 2.3 2.1

Nondurable goods.................................... 57 76 75 1.3 1.7 1.7

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................. 479 625 614 1.9 2.4 2.4

Wholesale trade....................................... 77 126 131 1.4 2.2 2.3

Retail trade............................................. 315 373 379 2.1 2.5 2.5

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...... 87 125 105 1.8 2.5 2.1

Information................................................ 68 114 103 2.4 4.1 3.7

Financial activities......................................... 234 180 207 3.0 2.3 2.7

Finance and insurance.............................. 199 144 154 3.4 2.5 2.6

Real estate and rental and leasing............... 35 37 54 1.8 1.8 2.7

Professional and business services.................. 614 678 654 3.5 3.8 3.6

Education and health services........................ 581 604 615 2.8 2.9 2.9

Educational services................................. 60 62 62 1.8 1.9 1.8

Health care and social assistance.................. 521 542 552 3.1 3.1 3.2

Leisure and hospitality................................. 273 405 364 2.1 2.9 2.7

Arts, entertainment, and recreation............... 30 60 55 1.6 3.0 2.8

Accommodation and food services............... 243 344 309 2.1 2.9 2.6

Other services............................................. 118 125 116 2.1 2.2 2.1

Government................................................... 343 371 366 1.5 1.7 1.6

Federal...................................................... 71 54 72 2.4 1.9 2.5

State and local........................................... 272 318 294 1.4 1.6 1.5

REGION 3

Northeast................................................... 623 603 562 2.4 2.3 2.2

South......................................................... 1,085 1,323 1,290 2.2 2.7 2.6

Midwest...................................................... 555 738 673 1.8 2.4 2.2

West......................................................... 716 790 845 2.4 2.7 2.8

 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

Industry and region

Levels (in thousands) Rates
Table 6. Hires levels 1

 and rates 2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted

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

2010 2011 2011p 2010 2011 2011p

Total............................................................... 3,984 4,396 4,091 3.0 3.3 3.1

INDUSTRY

Total private................................................... 3,705 4,027 3,847 3.4 3.7 3.5

Mining and logging....................................... 24 27 29 3.2 3.3 3.5

Construction................................................ 322 339 301 5.6 5.9 5.2

Manufacturing............................................. 266 244 224 2.3 2.1 1.9

Durable goods.......................................... 143 131 123 2.0 1.8 1.7

Nondurable goods.................................... 123 112 100 2.7 2.5 2.2

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................. 865 838 918 3.5 3.4 3.7

Wholesale trade....................................... 101 123 132 1.8 2.2 2.4

Retail trade............................................. 634 587 635 4.4 4.1 4.3

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...... 130 129 151 2.7 2.7 3.1

Information................................................ 55 58 56 2.0 2.2 2.1

Financial activities......................................... 167 136 156 2.2 1.8 2.1

Finance and insurance.............................. 124 86 85 2.2 1.5 1.5

Real estate and rental and leasing............... 43 51 71 2.2 2.6 3.6

Professional and business services.................. 762 852 849 4.5 4.9 4.9

Education and health services........................ 490 595 479 2.5 3.0 2.4

Educational services................................. 85 161 72 2.6 5.1 2.1

Health care and social assistance.................. 405 434 407 2.4 2.6 2.4

Leisure and hospitality................................. 559 717 601 4.3 5.3 4.5

Arts, entertainment, and recreation............... 67 125 90 3.6 6.3 4.8

Accommodation and food services............... 492 592 511 4.4 5.2 4.5

Other services............................................. 196 221 233 3.6 4.1 4.3

Government................................................... 279 369 244 1.2 1.7 1.1

Federal...................................................... 35 28 26 1.2 1.0 .9

State and local........................................... 243 342 218 1.2 1.8 1.1

REGION 3

Northeast................................................... 701 723 659 2.8 2.9 2.6

South......................................................... 1,502 1,614 1,611 3.2 3.4 3.4

Midwest...................................................... 932 1,024 934 3.1 3.4 3.1

West......................................................... 850 1,036 888 2.9 3.6 3.0

 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

Industry and region

Levels (in thousands) Rates
Table 7. Total separations levels 1

 and rates 2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted

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

2010 2011 2011p 2010 2011 2011p

Total............................................................... 3,832 4,327 4,005 2.9 3.3 3.0

INDUSTRY

Total private................................................... 3,609 3,971 3,771 3.3 3.6 3.4

Mining and logging....................................... 16 25 26 2.1 3.1 3.1

Construction................................................ 348 337 325 6.1 5.8 5.6

Manufacturing............................................. 304 237 230 2.6 2.0 1.9

Durable goods.......................................... 158 131 122 2.2 1.8 1.7

Nondurable goods.................................... 146 106 108 3.3 2.4 2.4

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................. 735 803 777 3.0 3.2 3.1

Wholesale trade....................................... 91 123 129 1.7 2.2 2.3

Retail trade............................................. 520 558 508 3.6 3.9 3.5

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...... 124 122 140 2.6 2.5 2.9

Information................................................ 56 61 57 2.1 2.3 2.2

Financial activities......................................... 158 138 164 2.1 1.8 2.2

Finance and insurance.............................. 109 83 80 1.9 1.5 1.4

Real estate and rental and leasing............... 48 55 84 2.5 2.8 4.3

Professional and business services.................. 723 820 812 4.3 4.7 4.6

Education and health services........................ 366 427 400 1.8 2.1 2.0

Educational services................................. 40 70 40 1.2 2.2 1.2

Health care and social assistance.................. 326 357 360 2.0 2.1 2.1

Leisure and hospitality................................. 736 901 742 5.6 6.7 5.6

Arts, entertainment, and recreation............... 151 253 132 8.1 12.8 7.1

Accommodation and food services............... 585 648 610 5.2 5.6 5.4

Other services............................................. 166 223 238 3.1 4.1 4.4

Government................................................... 223 356 234 1.0 1.6 1.0

Federal...................................................... 47 41 35 1.6 1.5 1.2

State and local........................................... 177 315 199 .9 1.7 1.0

REGION 3

Northeast................................................... 710 785 681 2.8 3.1 2.7

South......................................................... 1,351 1,552 1,508 2.8 3.3 3.1

Midwest...................................................... 887 974 911 3.0 3.3 3.0

West......................................................... 885 1,016 905 3.1 3.5 3.1

 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

Industry and region

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

 and rates 2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted

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

2010 2011 2011p 2010 2011 2011p

Total............................................................... 1,821 2,185 1,964 1.4 1.7 1.5

INDUSTRY

Total private................................................... 1,738 2,056 1,868 1.6 1.9 1.7

Mining and logging....................................... 8 17 16 1.1 2.0 2.0

Construction................................................ 86 96 86 1.5 1.7 1.5

Manufacturing............................................. 107 104 110 .9 .9 .9

Durable goods.......................................... 46 51 54 .6 .7 .7

Nondurable goods.................................... 61 53 56 1.4 1.2 1.3

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................. 384 479 440 1.6 1.9 1.8

Wholesale trade....................................... 35 64 74 .6 1.2 1.3

Retail trade............................................. 299 357 307 2.1 2.5 2.1

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...... 51 58 59 1.1 1.2 1.2

Information................................................ 33 38 32 1.2 1.4 1.2

Financial activities......................................... 62 72 84 .8 1.0 1.1

Finance and insurance.............................. 44 47 53 .8 .8 .9

Real estate and rental and leasing............... 17 25 31 .9 1.3 1.6

Professional and business services.................. 374 391 363 2.2 2.3 2.1

Education and health services........................ 229 273 231 1.2 1.4 1.1

Educational services................................. 24 38 22 .7 1.2 .6

Health care and social assistance.................. 205 235 209 1.2 1.4 1.2

Leisure and hospitality................................. 380 489 407 2.9 3.6 3.1

Arts, entertainment, and recreation............... 45 70 45 2.4 3.5 2.4

Accommodation and food services............... 335 419 362 3.0 3.6 3.2

Other services............................................. 75 97 100 1.4 1.8 1.8

Government................................................... 83 129 95 .4 .6 .4

Federal...................................................... 8 11 10 .3 .4 .4

State and local........................................... 75 118 85 .4 .6 .4

REGION 3

Northeast................................................... 276 332 279 1.1 1.3 1.1

South......................................................... 705 898 768 1.5 1.9 1.6

Midwest...................................................... 453 476 464 1.5 1.6 1.5

West......................................................... 387 479 452 1.3 1.7 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

Industry and region

Levels (in thousands) Rates
Table 9. Layoffs and discharges levels 1

 and rates 2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted

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

2010 2011 2011p 2010 2011 2011p

Total............................................................... 1,762 1,837 1,686 1.3 1.4 1.3

INDUSTRY

Total private................................................... 1,663 1,663 1,588 1.5 1.5 1.4

Mining and logging....................................... 6 7 6 .8 .9 .7

Construction................................................ 256 224 213 4.4 3.9 3.7

Manufacturing............................................. 174 113 91 1.5 1.0 .8

Durable goods.......................................... 95 65 54 1.3 .9 .7

Nondurable goods.................................... 79 48 36 1.8 1.1 .8

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................. 298 257 248 1.2 1.0 1.0

Wholesale trade....................................... 48 50 40 .9 .9 .7

Retail trade............................................. 186 164 146 1.3 1.1 1.0

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...... 63 44 62 1.3 .9 1.3

Information................................................ 19 19 22 .7 .7 .8

Financial activities......................................... 84 45 57 1.1 .6 .7

Finance and insurance.............................. 54 25 17 1.0 .4 .3

Real estate and rental and leasing............... 30 20 40 1.5 1.0 2.0

Professional and business services.................. 312 371 383 1.8 2.1 2.2

Education and health services........................ 108 127 130 .5 .6 .6

Educational services................................. 13 28 15 .4 .9 .4

Health care and social assistance.................. 95 99 115 .6 .6 .7

Leisure and hospitality................................. 326 384 315 2.5 2.9 2.4

Arts, entertainment, and recreation............... 103 180 86 5.5 9.1 4.6

Accommodation and food services............... 223 204 228 2.0 1.8 2.0

Other services............................................. 80 115 124 1.5 2.1 2.3

Government................................................... 99 173 98 .4 .8 .4

Federal...................................................... 31 21 16 1.1 .7 .6

State and local........................................... 68 152 82 .3 .8 .4

REGION 3

Northeast................................................... 395 397 309 1.6 1.6 1.2

South......................................................... 545 563 627 1.1 1.2 1.3

Midwest...................................................... 370 414 369 1.2 1.4 1.2

West......................................................... 451 463 382 1.6 1.6 1.3

 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

Industry and region

Levels (in thousands) Rates
Table 10. Other separations levels 1

 and rates 2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted

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

2010 2011 2011p 2010 2011 2011p

Total............................................................... 249 305 356 0.2 0.2 0.3

INDUSTRY

Total private................................................... 208 251 315 .2 .2 .3

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

Construction................................................ 7 17 25 .1 .3 .4

Manufacturing............................................. 24 20 30 .2 .2 .3

Durable goods.......................................... 17 15 14 .2 .2 .2

Nondurable goods.................................... 7 5 16 .1 .1 .3

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................. 54 66 90 .2 .3 .4

Wholesale trade....................................... 8 9 15 .1 .2 .3

Retail trade............................................. 36 37 55 .2 .3 .4

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...... 10 20 19 .2 .4 .4

Information................................................ 4 4 3 .1 .1 .1

Financial activities......................................... 12 21 24 .2 .3 .3

Finance and insurance.............................. 11 11 11 .2 .2 .2

Real estate and rental and leasing............... 2 9 13 .1 .5 .7

Professional and business services.................. 37 58 66 .2 .3 .4

Education and health services........................ 29 27 40 .1 .1 .2

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

Health care and social assistance.................. 26 23 37 .2 .1 .2

Leisure and hospitality................................. 29 28 21 .2 .2 .2

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

Accommodation and food services............... 27 25 19 .2 .2 .2

Other services............................................. 11 10 13 .2 .2 .2

Government................................................... 41 54 41 .2 .2 .2

Federal...................................................... 8 9 9 .3 .3 .3

State and local........................................... 33 45 32 .2 .2 .2

REGION 3

Northeast................................................... 39 56 93 .2 .2 .4

South......................................................... 100 92 113 .2 .2 .2

Midwest...................................................... 63 84 78 .2 .3 .3

West......................................................... 48 73 71 .2 .3 .2

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

Industry and region

Levels (in thousands) Rates