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Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey

JOLTS State Estimates Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Where can I review the methodology used in the production of this series?
  2. Are data available for Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), counties, or cities?
    • JOLTS released historical one-time MSA research estimates for the 18 largest MSAs from February 2001 through December 2019 on June 16, 2020. JOLTS does not produce county or city level data. Please see the JOLTS Metropolitan Statistical Area Research Estimates page for more information.
  3. At what geographic and industry levels are JOLTS state estimates produced?
    • JOLTS state estimates are only produced at the total nonfarm level.
  4. How frequently are the JOLTS state estimates released?
    • JOLTS state estimates are released monthly, approximately two weeks following the JOLTS national release.
  5. Are other separations available for these data series?
    • While other separations are part of the three components of total separations (quits, layoffs and discharges, and other separations), other separations are not published. This component has a large amount of volatility compared to the other components of total separations and represents a small portion of total separations (less than 6 percent).
  6. Are JOLTS state sample sizes available at this time?
    • The JOLTS state estimates Sample Allocation table provides a snapshot of the sample size allocation used to produce the state estimates. The JOLTS state model incorporates JOLTS sample data, JOLTS regional-level estimates, Current Employment Statistics state estimates, and Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages establishment counts.
  7. Are JOLTS state seasonally adjusted estimates available?
    • Yes. As of October 2021, state seasonally adjusted estimates are released monthly in the State Job Openings and Labor Turnover release. Historical seasonally adjusted estimates are available back to December 2000 and included in the JOLTS LABSTAT database. More information is available in the Seasonal Adjustment section of the JOLTS State Estimates Methodology page.
  8. Are error measures available for JOLTS state estimates?
    • Error measures are available for JOLTS state estimates on the JOLTS Median Standard Errors page and are updated annually in July during annual benchmarking.
  9. Are JOLTS state monthly implied employment changes, defined as hires – total separations, comparable to CES state over-the-month employment changes?
    • Unlike the JOLTS national estimates, which are aligned to Current Employment Statistics (CES) national employment data to ensure tracking of the JOLTS implied employment (hires – total separations) trends, JOLTS state estimates are not aligned with CES State and Area employment estimates. The model used to produce state data was not designed for individual states to align to CES state employment. However, the state estimates in aggregate are aligned with CES employment. More information on JOLTS state estimates is available on the Background and Methodology pages.

Last Modified Date: July 24, 2024