State Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary

For release 10:00 a.m. (ET) Thursday, February 19, 2026	USDL-26-0231
Technical information:	(202) 691-5870  •  JoltsInfo@bls.gov  •  www.bls.gov/jlt
Media contact:		(202) 691-5902  •  PressOffice@bls.gov

			STATE JOB OPENINGS AND LABOR TURNOVER – DECEMBER 2025

Job openings rates decreased in 6 states in December, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. 
Over the month, hires rates decreased in 3 states and increased in 1 state. Total separations rates 
increased in 9 states and decreased in 2 states. Nationally, the job openings, hires, and total separations 
rates showed little change in December.

This release includes estimates of the number and rate of job openings, hires, total separations, quits, and 
layoffs and discharges for the total nonfarm sector and for all states and the District of Columbia. Job 
openings include all positions that are open on the last business day of the month. Hires and separations 
include all changes to the payroll during the entire month.

Job Openings

Job openings rates decreased in 6 states and were little changed in 44 states and the District of 
Columbia in December. The largest decreases in job openings rates occurred in Vermont  
(-1.5 percentage points) and New Hampshire (-1.4 points), as well as in New York and Rhode Island  
(-1.2 points each). Over the month, the national job openings rate was little changed. (See table 1.)

The number of job openings decreased in 10 states, increased in 1 state, and was little changed in 39 
states and the District of Columbia in December. The largest decreases in the job openings level 
occurred in New York (-128,000), California (-62,000), and New Jersey (-38,000). The increase 
occurred in Idaho (+8,000). Nationally, the number of job openings changed little. (See table 1.)

Hires

In December, hires rates decreased in 3 states, increased in 1 state, and were little changed in 46 states 
and the District of Columbia. The decreases occurred in New Hampshire (-1.3 percentage points) as well 
as in Maine and Vermont (-0.9 point each). The increase occurred in Nevada (+1.1 points). The national 
hires rate was little changed over the month. (See table 2.)

The number of hires decreased in 2 states, increased in 2 states, and was little changed in 46 states and 
the District of Columbia in December. The decreases in the hires level occurred in New Hampshire   
(-9,000) and in Maine (-6,000). The increases occurred in Washington (+23,000) and in Nevada 
(+17,000). Nationally, the number of hires changed little over the month. (See table 2.)

Total Separations

In December, total separations rates increased in 9 states, decreased in 2 states, and were little changed 
in 39 states and the District of Columbia. The largest increases in total separations rates occurred in 
Wyoming (+2.4 percentage points), South Dakota (+1.9 points), and Vermont (+1.3 points). The 
decreases occurred in Tennessee (-1.2 points) and in Colorado (-0.8 point). Over the month, the national 
total separations rate changed little. (See table 3.)

The number of total separations increased in 9 states, decreased in 3 states, and changed little in 38 
states and the District of Columbia in December. The largest increases in the total separations level 
occurred in Indiana (+24,000), Wisconsin (+23,000), and Minnesota (+17,000). The decreases occurred 
in Tennessee (-41,000), Colorado (-22,000), and Nevada (-13,000). Nationally, the number of total 
separations was little changed over the month. (See table 3.)
 
Quits

In December, quits rates increased in 5 states, decreased in 2 states, and were little changed in 43 states 
and the District of Columbia. The largest increases in quits rates occurred in South Dakota and 
Wyoming (+1.7 percentage points each), as well as in Vermont (+0.9 point). The decreases occurred in 
Tennessee (-0.8 point) and in Georgia (-0.6 point). Over the month, the national quits rate was 
unchanged. (See table 4.)

The number of quits increased in 5 states, decreased in 2 states, and was little changed in 43 states and 
the District of Columbia in December. The largest increases in the quits level occurred in Indiana 
(+20,000), Iowa (+10,000), and South Dakota (+8,000). The decreases occurred in Georgia  
(-30,000) and in Tennessee (-27,000). Nationally, the number of quits was unchanged over the month. 
(See table 4.)

Layoffs and Discharges 

In December, layoffs and discharges rates decreased in 2 states, increased in 1 state, and were little 
changed in 47 states and the District of Columbia. The decreases occurred in Idaho  
(-0.7 percentage point) and in New Jersey (-0.4 point). The increase occurred in Michigan (+0.8 point). 
Over the month, the national layoffs and discharges rate was unchanged. (See table 5.)

The number of layoffs and discharges decreased in 5 states, increased in 2 states, and changed little in 
43 states and the District of Columbia in December. The largest decreases in the layoffs and discharges 
level occurred in New Jersey (-19,000), Colorado (-15,000), and Tennessee (-14,000). The increases 
occurred in Michigan (+36,000) and in Wisconsin (+12,000). Nationally, the number of layoffs and 
discharges changed little over the month. (See table 5.)

For more information, please see the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) interactive 
charts at www.bls.gov/charts/state-job-openings-and-labor-turnover/state-job-openings-rates.htm#.  
______________	
State Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey annual release is expected to be released in July 
2026.

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|			Upcoming Change to the JOLTS State News Release					  |
|													  |
|The State Job Openings and Labor Turnover news release will now move from a monthly news release 	  |
|to an annual news release. The first annual news release will be in July 2026. Going forward, monthly    |
|estimates for the prior calendar year will be published each year along with the annual news release. The| 
|annual news release will incorporate benchmark revisions to JOLTS national estimates, updated Current    |
|Employment Statistics (CES) employment estimates, and updated Quarterly Census of Employment and 	  |
|Wages (QCEW) data.											  |
|_________________________________________________________________________________________________________|