State Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary

For release 10:00 a.m. (ET) Monday, November 20, 2023	USDL-23-2472
Technical information:	(202) 691-5870  •  JoltsInfo@bls.gov  •  www.bls.gov/jlt
Media contact:		(202) 691-5902  •  PressOffice@bls.gov

		      STATE JOB OPENINGS AND LABOR TURNOVER – SEPTEMBER 2023

Job openings rates decreased in 3 states and increased in 1 state on the last business day of September, 
the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Hires rates decreased in 1 state and increased in 1 
state. Total separations rates decreased in 6 states. Nationally, the job openings, hires, and total 
separations rates showed little or no change in September. 

This release includes estimates of the number and rate of job openings, hires, total separations, quits, and 
layoffs and discharges for the total nonfarm sector and for all states and the District of Columbia. 

Job Openings

In September, job openings rates decreased in 3 states, increased in 1 state, and were little changed in 
46 states and the District of Columbia. The decreases in job openings rates occurred in Alaska  
(-1.3 percentage points), Utah (-0.7 point), and Illinois (-0.6 point). The increase occurred in Tennessee 
(+1.9 points). Over the month, the national job openings rate was unchanged. (See table 1.)

The number of job openings decreased in 4 states, increased in 1 state, and was little changed in 45 
states and the District of Columbia in September. The largest decreases in the job openings level 
occurred in Illinois (-44,000), Massachusetts (-22,000), and Utah (-15,000). The increase occurred in 
Tennessee (+74,000). Nationally, the number of job openings changed little over the month.
(See table 1.)

Hires

In September, hires rates increased in 1 state, decreased in 1 state, and were little changed in 48 states 
and the District of Columbia. The hires rate increased in Colorado (+0.7 percentage point) and decreased 
in Texas (-0.5 point). The national hires rate was unchanged over the month. (See table 2.)

The number of hires increased in 4 states, decreased in 1 state, and was little changed in 45 states and 
the District of Columbia in September. The largest increases in the hires level occurred in Pennsylvania 
(+27,000), Ohio (+26,000), and Colorado (+21,000). The decrease occurred in Texas (-68,000). 
Nationally, the number of hires changed little over the month. (See table 2.)

Total Separations

In September, total separations rates decreased in 6 states and were little changed in 44 states and the 
District of Columbia. The largest decreases in total separations rates occurred in Alaska  
(-2.1 percentage points) and in Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska (-0.8 point each). Over the month, the 
national total separations rate changed little. (See table 3.)

The number of total separations decreased in 6 states, increased in 1 state, and was little changed in 43 
states and the District of Columbia in September. The largest decreases occurred in Illinois (-45,000), 
North Carolina (-31,000), and Colorado (-21,000). The increase in the total separations level occurred in 
Florida (+41,000). Nationally, the number of total separations changed little over the month. 
(See table 3.)
 
Quits

In September, quits rates decreased in 5 states, increased in 2 states, and were little changed in 43 states 
and the District of Columbia. The largest decreases in quits rates occurred in Colorado 
(-0.7 percentage point) and in Iowa and Nebraska (-0.6 point each). The increases occurred in Florida 
(+0.5 point) and in New Jersey (+0.4 point). Over the month, the national quits rate was unchanged. 
(See table 4.)

The number of quits decreased in 7 states, increased in 4 states, and was little changed in 39 states and 
the District of Columbia in September. The largest decreases in the quits level occurred in Ohio 
(-28,000) and Colorado (-22,000), as well as in Alabama and Utah (-10,000 each). The largest increases 
occurred in Florida (+42,000), New York (+20,000), and New Jersey (+15,000). Nationally, the number 
of quits changed little over the month. (See table 4.)
 
Layoffs and Discharges 

In September, layoffs and discharges rates decreased in 5 states and were little changed in 45 states 
and the District of Columbia. The largest decreases in layoffs and discharges rates occurred in Alaska  
(-1.6 percentage points), Illinois (-0.9 point), and Connecticut (-0.5 point). Over the month, the national 
layoffs and discharges rate changed little. (See table 5.)

The number of layoffs and discharges decreased in 5 states and was little changed in 45 states and the 
District of Columbia in September. The largest decreases in the layoffs and discharges level occurred in 
Illinois (-53,000) and in Arizona and Wisconsin (-12,000 each). Nationally, the number of layoffs and 
discharges was little changed. (See table 5.)


For more information, please see the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) interactive 
charts at www.bls.gov/charts/state-job-openings-and-labor-turnover/state-job-openings-rates.htm#.  
	
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State Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey estimates for October 2023 are scheduled to be 
released on Friday, December 15, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. (ET).