Job openings rates were above 7.0 percent in 4 states in August 2023

In August 2023, job openings rates were above 7.0 percent in Alaska (10.6 percent), as well as in South Carolina, Utah, and West Virginia (7.1 percent each). Among these states, the number of job openings ranged from 39,000 in Alaska to 175,000 in South Carolina. Nationally, there were 9,610,000 job openings in August, and the U.S. job openings rate was 5.8 percent.

Job openings rates were lower than 5.0 percent in New Jersey (4.6 percent), as well as in the District of Columbia and New York (4.8 percent each). Among these three areas, the number of job openings ranged from 39,000 in the District to 487,000 in New York, with 210,000 job openings in New Jersey.

From July to August 2023, job openings rates increased in 13 states, decreased in 2 states, and were little changed in 35 states and the District of Columbia. The largest increases in job openings rates occurred in Alaska (+3.7 percentage points), Utah (+1.4 points), and Iowa (+1.0 point). The decreases occurred in New Hampshire (−0.9 point) and New Jersey (−0.7 point). Over the month, the national job openings rate increased 0.4 percentage point.

The number of job openings increased in 23 states, decreased in 2 states, and was little changed in 25 states and the District of Columbia in August. The largest increases occurred in Illinois (+61,000) and New York (+46,000), as well as in Florida and Ohio (+42,000 each). The decreases occurred in New Jersey (−33,000) and New Hampshire (−7,000). Nationally, the number of job openings rose 690,000 over the month.

These data are from the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey and are seasonally adjusted. Data for the most recent month are preliminary. For more information, see "State Job Openings and Labor Turnover — August 2023" and charts featuring state labor turnover data.