For release 10:00 a.m. (ET) Tuesday, May 5, 2026 USDL-26-0683
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JOB OPENINGS AND LABOR TURNOVER – MARCH 2026
The number of job openings was unchanged at 6.9 million in March, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
reported today. Over the month, hires increased to 5.6 million while total separations changed little at
5.4 million. Within separations, both quits (3.2 million) and layoffs and discharges (1.9 million) were
little changed.
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 of job openings was unchanged at 6.9 million in March. The job openings rate, at 4.1
percent, changed little over the month. The number of job openings decreased in professional and
business services (-318,000) but increased in finance and insurance (+98,000). (See table 1.)
Hires
The number of hires increased to 5.6 million (+655,000) and the rate increased to 3.5 percent in March,
more than offsetting decreases in those measures the previous month. The number of hires increased in
transportation, warehousing, and utilities (+108,000), and edged up in professional and business services
(+165,000) and in accommodation and food services (+124,000). Hires decreased in federal government
(-7,000). (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 March, the number and rate of total separations were little changed at 5.4 million and 3.4 percent,
respectively. Total separations were little changed in all industries in March. (See table 3.)
In March, the number and rate of quits were little changed at 3.2 million and 2.0 percent, respectively.
Quits decreased over the year by 285,000. Over the month, the number of quits increased in real estate
and rental and leasing (+19,000). (See table 4.)
The number and rate of layoffs and discharges were little changed at 1.9 million and 1.2 percent,
respectively, in March. Layoffs and discharges increased over the year by 272,000. Layoffs and
discharges were little changed in all industries in March. (See table 5.)
The number of other separations increased to 339,000 (+76,000) in March. (See table 6.)
Establishment Size Class
In March, for establishments with 1 to 9 employees, job openings, hires, and separations rates showed
little or no change. For establishments with 5,000 or more employees, the job openings, hires, and quits
rates showed little change, while the layoffs and discharges and total separations rates increased.
(See table 7.)
February 2026 Revisions
The number of job openings for February was revised up by 40,000 to 6.9 million, the number of hires
was revised up by 50,000 to 4.9 million, and the number of total separations was revised up by 51,000 to
5.0 million. Within separations, the number of quits was revised up by 72,000 to 3.0 million, and the
number of layoffs and discharges was revised down by 7,000 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.)
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The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey estimates for April 2026 are scheduled to be
released on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. (ET).
United States Department of Labor
