People are Asking

• Are annual estimates available?
• Are seasonally adjusted JOLTS data available?
• What dates are the JOLTS data released?
• Does JOLTS have estimates by occupation, by state, or by metropolitan area?
• Can JOLTS help my job search?
• What is the cost of turnover?
• What is the average number of jobs a person holds over a lifetime?

1. Are annual estimates available?

   Yes, beginning with the release of January 2006 data on March 14, 2006, annual estimates of rates and levels of hires, quits, layoffs and discharges, other separations, and total separations are released with the January news release each year. The JOLTS annual level estimates for hires, quits, layoffs and discharges, other separations, and total separations are the sum of the 12 published monthly levels. The annual rate estimates are computed by dividing the annual level by the Current Employment Statistics (CES) annual average employment level, and multiplying that quotient by 100. This figure will be approximately equal to the sum of the 12 monthly rates. Note that both the JOLTS and CES annual levels are rounded to the nearest thousand before the annual estimates are calculated. Consistent with BLS practices, annual estimates will be published only for not seasonally adjusted data. Annual estimates are not calculated for job openings because job openings are a stock, or point-in-time, measurement for the last business day of each month. Only jobs still open on the last day of the month are counted. For the same reason job openings cannot be cumulated throughout each month, annual figures for job openings cannot be created by summing the monthly estimates. Hires and separations are flow measures and are cumulated over the month with a total reported for the month. Therefore, the annual figures can be created by summing the monthly estimates.

   The annual rates and levels are in the column labelled "annual" in the monthly tables.

2. Are seasonally adjusted JOLTS data available?

   Seasonally adjusted job openings, hires, total separations, and quits are available for the nation; the total private sector; construction; manufacturing; trade, transportation, and utilities; retail trade; professional and business services; education and health services; leisure and hospitality; accommodation and food services; government; and state and local government, as well as for the four geographic regions.

3. What dates are the JOLTS data released?

   For 2007: December 11, 2007.

   For 2008: Jan. 10, Feb. 12, March 12, April 8, May 15, June 10, July 9, Aug. 12, Sept. 9, Oct. 7, Nov. 13, and Dec. 9.

   For 2009: January 13, 2009.

4. Does JOLTS have estimates by occupation, by state, or by metropolitan area?

   No, JOLTS publishes estimates for the nation as a whole, by ownership (private vs. public), by supersector and select sectors (based on the North American Industry Classification System), and by region.

5. Can JOLTS help my job search?

   JOLTS is not a job placement service; it does not have information about individual job openings. You can find helpful job search information at CareerOneStop.

6. What is the cost of turnover?

   JOLTS does not collect information regarding the cost of turnover.

7. What is the average number of jobs a person holds over a lifetime?

   JOLTS does not collect information on the number of jobs held in a lifetime. The National Longitudinal Survey produces estimates on the number of jobs individuals hold over time; the Current Population Survey produces estimates on employee tenure.

Last Modified Date: January 8, 2008