Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary

For release 10:00 a.m. (ET) Tuesday, June 30, 2026      USDL-26-1123
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 – MAY 2026

The number of job openings was unchanged at 7.6 million in May, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 
reported today. Hires were unchanged at 5.2 million, while total separations changed little at 5.1 million. 
Within separations, quits (3.1 million) changed little, while layoffs and discharges (1.7 million) were 
unchanged.  

This release includes estimates of the number and rate of job openings, hires, and separations for the 
total nonfarm sector, by industry, and by establishment size class. 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

The number and rate of job openings were unchanged at 7.6 million and 4.6 percent, respectively, in 
May. The number of job openings increased in wholesale trade (+71,000). (See table 1.) 

Hires

The number and rate of hires were unchanged at 5.2 million and 3.3 percent, respectively, in May. Hires 
increased in federal government (+11,000). (See table 2.)

Separations 

Total separations include quits, layoffs and discharges, and other separations. 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, disability, and transfers 
to other locations of the same firm.

In May, the number of total separations changed little at 5.1 million, while the rate was unchanged at 
3.2 percent. Total separations changed little in all industries. (See table 3.) 

In May, the number of quits changed little at 3.1 million, while the rate was unchanged at 1.9 percent. 
Quits increased in federal government (+4,000). (See table 4.)

The number of layoffs and discharges was unchanged at 1.7 million, while the rate changed little at 1.1 
percent in May. Layoffs and discharges decreased in arts, entertainment, and recreation (-42,000). 
(See table 5.)

The number of other separations was unchanged at 328,000 in May. (See table 6.)

Establishment Size Class

In May, establishments with 1 to 9 employees and establishments with 5,000 or more employees showed 
little or no change in job openings, hires, and separations rates. (See table 7.)

April 2026 Revisions

The number of job openings for April was revised down by 33,000 to 7.6 million, the number of hires 
was revised up by 99,000 to 5.2 million, and the number of total separations was revised up by 60,000 to 
5.0 million. Within separations, the number of quits was revised up by 66,000 to 3.0 million, and the 
number of layoffs and discharges was revised down by 25,000 to 1.7 million. (Monthly revisions result 
from additional reports received from businesses and government agencies since the last published 
estimates and from the recalculation of seasonal factors.)
____________
The Job Openings and Labor Turnover news release for June 2026 is scheduled to be published 
on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. (ET).