For release 10:00 a.m. (ET) Friday, November 19, 2021 USDL-21-2021
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 – SEPTEMBER 2021
Job openings rates decreased in 12 states, increased in 8 states, and were little changed in 30 states and
the District of Columbia on the last business day of September, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
reported today. The hires rates increased in 6 states, decreased in 4 states, and was little changed in 40
states and the District of Columbia. Total separations rates increased in 14 states, decreased in 4 states,
and were little changed in 32 states and the District of Columbia. Nationally, the job openings, hires, and
total separations rates were little changed in September. (See table A-E.)
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
In September, job openings rates decreased in 12 states and increased in 8 states. The largest decreases
in job openings rates occurred in Kentucky and Wyoming (-1.3 percentage points each), and Nevada
(-1.1 points). The largest increases in job openings rates occurred in South Dakota (+1.0 percentage
point), and Ohio, Oklahoma, and West Virginia (+0.8 point each). The national job openings rate was
little changed. (See table A.)
The number of job openings decreased in 11 states and increased in 8 states on the last business day of
September. The largest decreases occurred in Texas (-80,000), Florida (-76,000), and Arizona (-35,000).
The largest increases in the job openings level occurred in Ohio (+46,000), Massachusetts (+29,000),
and Virginia (+25,000). Nationally, the number of job openings was little changed. (See table A.)
Hires
In September, hires rates increased in 6 states and decreased in 4 states. The largest increases in hires
rates occurred in Maine (+0.7 percentage point), and Illinois, Iowa, Ohio, and Wisconsin (+0.6 point
each). The largest decreases in hires rates were in Nevada (-1.1 percentage points), and Michigan and
North Dakota (-1.0 point each). The national hires rate was little changed. (See table B.)
The number of hires increased in 4 states and decreased in 3 states in September. The largest increases
occurred in Illinois (+32,000), Ohio (+31,000), and Wisconsin (+16,000). The decreases in hires levels
occurred in Michigan (-39,000), Nevada (-15,000), and North Dakota (-4,000). Nationally, the number
of hires was little changed. (See table B.)
Total Separations
In September, total separations rates increased in 14 states and decreased in 4 states. The largest
increases occurred in Hawaii (+5.2 percentage points), Louisiana (+1.2 points), and Montana
(+1.0 point). The decreases in the total separations rates occurred in Iowa and South Dakota (-0.9
percentage point each), as well as New Jersey (-0.6 point). The national total separations rate was little
changed over the month. (See table C.)
The number of total separations increased in 12 states and decreased in 5 states in September. The
largest increases occurred in Texas (+80,000), Hawaii (+30,000), and Louisiana (+22,000). The largest
decreases occurred in Michigan and New Jersey (-21,000 each), and Iowa (-13,000). Nationally, the
number of total separations was little changed. (See table C.)
Quits
In September, quits rates increased in 15 states and decreased in 10 states. The largest increases in quits
rates occurred in Hawaii (+3.8 percentage points), Montana (+1.5 points), as well as Nevada and New
Hampshire (+1.1 points each). The largest decreases in quits rates occurred in Kentucky (-1.1 percentage
points), Iowa (-1.0 point), and South Dakota (-0.7 point). Over the month, the national quits rate
increased (+0.1 percentage point). (See table D.)
The number of quits increased in 13 states and decreased in 8 states in September. The largest increases
in the quits level occurred in Texas (+69,000), California (+40,000), and Colorado (+25,000). The
largest decreases in quits levels occurred in Georgia (-27,000), Kentucky (-21,000), and New Jersey
(-19,000). Nationally, the number of quits increased (+164,000). (See table D.)
Layoffs and Discharges
In September, layoffs and discharges rates increased in 6 states and decreased in 5 states. The largest
increases in layoffs and discharges rates occurred in Hawaii (+1.0 percentage point), and Alabama and
Maryland (+0.7 point each). The largest decreases in layoffs and discharges rates occurred in Colorado
(-1.5 percentage points), Wyoming (-0.7 point), and Oregon (-0.6 point). The national layoffs and
discharges rate was unchanged. (See table E.)
The number of layoffs and discharges increased in 7 states and decreased in 4 states in September. The
largest increases in layoffs and discharges were in Georgia, Maryland, and Ohio (+17,000 each). The
largest layoffs and discharges level decreases were in Colorado (-42,000), Oregon (-10,000), and New
Mexico (-4,000). Nationally, the number of layoffs and discharges was little changed over the month.
(See table E.)
For more information, please see the JOLTS interactive charts at /www.bls.gov/charts/state-job-
openings-and-labor-turnover/state-job-openings-rates.htm#.
The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey State estimates for October 2021 are scheduled to
be released on Friday, December 17, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. (ET).
Table A: States with significant changes in job openings from Aug 2021 to Sep 2021, seasonally adjusted
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Levels (in thousands) | Rates
|----------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------
State | Aug | Sep | Over-the-month | Aug | Sep | Over-the-month
| 2021 | 2021(p)| change(p) | 2021 | 2021(p)| change(p)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total U.S..............|10,629 |10,438 | -191 | 6.7 | 6.6 | -0.1
Arizona................| 242 | 207 | -35 | 7.5 | 6.5 | -1.0
Colorado...............| 210 | 185 | -25 | 7.1 | 6.3 | -0.8
Florida................| 685 | 609 | -76 | 7.2 | 6.4 | -0.8
Idaho..................| 59 | 52 | -7 | 7.0 | 6.2 | -0.8
Iowa...................| 98 | 111 | 13 | 6.0 | 6.7 | 0.7
Kentucky...............| 170 | 142 | -28 | 8.3 | 7.0 | -1.3
Maine..................| 47 | 52 | 5 | 7.1 | 7.8 | 0.7
Massachusetts..........| 280 | 309 | 29 | 7.4 | 8.1 | 0.7
Michigan...............| 364 | 345 | -19* | 8.0 | 7.6 | -0.4
Nevada.................| 119 | 102 | -17 | 8.1 | 7.0 | -1.1
North Carolina.........| 360 | 341 | -19 | 7.4 | 7.0 | -0.4
Ohio...................| 343 | 389 | 46 | 6.0 | 6.8 | 0.8
Oklahoma...............| 101 | 117 | 16 | 5.8 | 6.6 | 0.8
Oregon.................| 152 | 141 | -11 | 7.5 | 7.0 | -0.5
South Dakota...........| 27 | 32 | 5 | 5.8 | 6.8 | 1.0
Texas..................| 887 | 807 | -80 | 6.5 | 5.9 | -0.6
Utah...................| 120 | 111 | -9 | 6.9 | 6.4 | -0.5
Virginia...............| 303 | 328 | 25 | 7.2 | 7.7 | 0.5
West Virginia..........| 54 | 60 | 6 | 7.2 | 8.0 | 0.8
Wyoming................| 23 | 19 | -4 | 7.8 | 6.5 | -1.3
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(p) = preliminary.
* Not significant.
Table B: States with significant changes in hires from Aug 2021 to Sep 2021, seasonally adjusted
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Levels (in thousands) | Rates
|----------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------
State | Aug | Sep | Over-the-month | Aug | Sep | Over-the-month
| 2021 | 2021(p)| change(p) | 2021 | 2021(p)| change(p)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total U.S..............| 6,497 | 6,459 | -38 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 0.0
Illinois...............| 235 | 267 | 32 | 4.0 | 4.6 | 0.6
Iowa...................| 57 | 66 | 9 | 3.7 | 4.3 | 0.6
Maine..................| 26 | 30 | 4* | 4.2 | 4.9 | 0.7
Michigan...............| 220 | 181 | -39 | 5.3 | 4.3 | -1.0
Nevada.................| 98 | 83 | -15 | 7.3 | 6.2 | -1.1
North Dakota...........| 24 | 20 | -4 | 5.8 | 4.8 | -1.0
Ohio...................| 208 | 239 | 31 | 3.9 | 4.5 | 0.6
Pennsylvania...........| 189 | 210 | 21* | 3.3 | 3.7 | 0.4
Wisconsin..............| 107 | 123 | 16 | 3.7 | 4.3 | 0.6
Wyoming................| 16 | 14 | -2* | 5.9 | 5.1 | -0.8
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(p) = preliminary.
* Not significant.
Table C: States with significant changes in total separations from Aug 2021 to Sep 2021, seasonally adjusted
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Levels (in thousands) | Rates
|----------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------
State | Aug | Sep | Over-the-month | Aug | Sep | Over-the-month
| 2021 | 2021(p)| change(p) | 2021 | 2021(p)| change(p)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total U.S..............| 6,032 | 6,218 | 186 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 0.1
Alabama................| 90 | 105 | 15 | 4.4 | 5.1 | 0.7
Arkansas...............| 55 | 66 | 11 | 4.3 | 5.2 | 0.9
Connecticut............| 50 | 59 | 9* | 3.1 | 3.7 | 0.6
Hawaii.................| 28 | 58 | 30 | 4.9 | 10.1 | 5.2
Iowa...................| 73 | 60 | -13 | 4.8 | 3.9 | -0.9
Kansas.................| 60 | 51 | -9 | 4.3 | 3.7 | -0.6*
Louisiana..............| 75 | 97 | 22 | 4.1 | 5.3 | 1.2
Maryland...............| 92 | 111 | 19 | 3.4 | 4.2 | 0.8
Massachusetts..........| 139 | 158 | 19 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 0.5
Michigan...............| 201 | 180 | -21 | 4.8 | 4.3 | -0.5
Montana................| 25 | 30 | 5 | 5.2 | 6.2 | 1.0
Nevada.................| 72 | 85 | 13 | 5.4 | 6.3 | 0.9
New Hampshire..........| 28 | 33 | 5 | 4.2 | 5.0 | 0.8
New Jersey.............| 150 | 129 | -21 | 3.8 | 3.2 | -0.6
Ohio...................| 216 | 235 | 19* | 4.0 | 4.4 | 0.4
Oregon.................| 84 | 96 | 12 | 4.5 | 5.1 | 0.6*
South Carolina.........| 88 | 100 | 12* | 4.1 | 4.7 | 0.6
South Dakota...........| 21 | 17 | -4 | 4.8 | 3.9 | -0.9
Texas..................| 480 | 560 | 80 | 3.8 | 4.4 | 0.6
Utah...................| 64 | 78 | 14 | 4.0 | 4.8 | 0.8
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(p) = preliminary.
* Not significant.
Table D: States with significant changes in quits from Aug 2021 to Sep 2021, seasonally adjusted
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Levels (in thousands) | Rates
|----------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------
State | Aug | Sep | Over-the-month | Aug | Sep | Over-the-month
| 2021 | 2021(p)| change(p) | 2021 | 2021(p)| change(p)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total U.S..............| 4,270 | 4,434 | 164 | 2.9 | 3.0 | 0.1
Arizona................| 87 | 100 | 13 | 2.9 | 3.4 | 0.5
California.............| 403 | 443 | 40 | 2.4 | 2.7 | 0.3
Colorado...............| 94 | 119 | 25 | 3.4 | 4.3 | 0.9
Georgia................| 195 | 168 | -27 | 4.3 | 3.7 | -0.6
Hawaii.................| 19 | 41 | 22 | 3.3 | 7.1 | 3.8
Indiana................| 113 | 103 | -10* | 3.7 | 3.4 | -0.3
Iowa...................| 53 | 39 | -14 | 3.5 | 2.5 | -1.0
Kansas.................| 43 | 37 | -6 | 3.1 | 2.7 | -0.4*
Kentucky...............| 83 | 62 | -21 | 4.4 | 3.3 | -1.1
Louisiana..............| 55 | 69 | 14 | 3.0 | 3.8 | 0.8
Massachusetts..........| 89 | 99 | 10 | 2.5 | 2.8 | 0.3*
Michigan...............| 137 | 120 | -17 | 3.3 | 2.9 | -0.4
Minnesota..............| 74 | 64 | -10 | 2.6 | 2.2 | -0.4
Montana................| 16 | 23 | 7 | 3.3 | 4.8 | 1.5
Nebraska...............| 33 | 29 | -4* | 3.2 | 2.8 | -0.4
Nevada.................| 46 | 61 | 15 | 3.4 | 4.5 | 1.1
New Hampshire..........| 18 | 25 | 7 | 2.7 | 3.8 | 1.1
New Jersey.............| 106 | 87 | -19 | 2.7 | 2.2 | -0.5
New York...............| 197 | 183 | -14* | 2.2 | 2.0 | -0.2
Oregon.................| 55 | 74 | 19 | 2.9 | 3.9 | 1.0
Rhode Island...........| 12 | 15 | 3 | 2.5 | 3.1 | 0.6
South Carolina.........| 61 | 68 | 7* | 2.8 | 3.2 | 0.4
South Dakota...........| 15 | 12 | -3 | 3.4 | 2.7 | -0.7
Texas..................| 370 | 439 | 69 | 2.9 | 3.4 | 0.5
Utah...................| 42 | 58 | 16 | 2.6 | 3.6 | 1.0
Virginia...............| 111 | 123 | 12* | 2.8 | 3.1 | 0.3
West Virginia..........| 23 | 26 | 3* | 3.3 | 3.8 | 0.5
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(p) = preliminary.
* Not significant.
Table E: States with significant changes in layoffs and discharges from Aug 2021 to Sep 2021, seasonally adjusted
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Levels (in thousands) | Rates
|----------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------
State | Aug | Sep | Over-the-month | Aug | Sep | Over-the-month
| 2021 | 2021(p)| change(p) | 2021 | 2021(p)| change(p)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total U.S..............| 1,385 | 1,375 | -10 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.0
Alabama................| 17 | 30 | 13 | 0.8 | 1.5 | 0.7
Arkansas...............| 12 | 17 | 5 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 0.4
Colorado...............| 72 | 30 | -42 | 2.6 | 1.1 | -1.5
Georgia................| 42 | 59 | 17 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 0.4
Hawaii.................| 8 | 14 | 6 | 1.4 | 2.4 | 1.0
Maryland...............| 20 | 37 | 17 | 0.7 | 1.4 | 0.7
Massachusetts..........| 41 | 53 | 12 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 0.3
Montana................| 7 | 5 | -2* | 1.5 | 1.0 | -0.5
New Mexico.............| 13 | 9 | -4 | 1.6 | 1.1 | -0.5
Ohio...................| 47 | 64 | 17 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 0.3*
Oregon.................| 24 | 14 | -10 | 1.3 | 0.7 | -0.6
Wyoming................| 6 | 4 | -2 | 2.2 | 1.5 | -0.7
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(p) = preliminary.
* Not significant.
United States Department of Labor
