Number of job openings at new low
May 13, 2009
On the last business day of March, job openings in the U.S. numbered 2.7 million—the lowest job openings level since the BLS began measuring job openings over 8 years ago.
[Chart data—TXT]
The number of job openings has trended downward since mid-2007, and, at 2.7 million in March, the number of monthly job openings was down 2.1 million (or 44 percent) since the most recent high point in June 2007.
The decline in job openings was due to a significant decline in retail trade, and small declines in nearly every other industry.
These data are from the BLS Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, and are seasonally adjusted. Data for March 2009 are preliminary and subject to revision. More information can be found in "Job Openings and Labor Turnover: March 2009" (PDF) (HTML), news release USDL 09-0507.
OF INTEREST
Recent editions of Spotlight on Statistics
- Fatal Injuries to Foreign-Born Hispanic or Latino Workers
Explores the industries, occupations, and events related to these fatalities.
- For-Profit, Nonprofit, and Government Sector Jobs in 2022
Compares the labor force characteristics and experiences of workers in the for-profit, nonprofit, government, and self-employed sectors.
- Union Membership, Activity, and Compensation in 2022
Focuses on trends in union membership, work stoppages, and pay and benefits among union members.
- A Look at a Neat Industry: Distilleries
Examines trends in employment, establishments, wages, and consumer prices for distilleries.
- Healthcare Occupations: Characteristics of the Employed
Compares the demographic characteristics of workers in healthcare occupations.
United States Department of Labor
