The number of available jobs since May 2021 continues to outnumber Americans looking for work.
The tight labor market has pushed total job openings to nearly double the available workers, but hiring has slowed amid a broader economic slowdown.
Job openings fell by 384,000 to 9.6 million in March, the lowest since May 2021.
In March, job openings decreased in transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-144,000) but increased in educational services (+28,000).
The U.S. added 236,000 jobs in March but there were 5.8 million people unemployed.
In March, the number of hires and separations were little changed at 6.1 million and 5.9 million respectively.
Within separations, the number of quits decreased to 3.9 million – still near the record high of 4.4 million – and layoffs and discharges increased to 1.8 million.
Layoffs and discharges increased in construction (+112,000), accommodation and food services (+63,000), and health care and social assistance (+42,000).
The labor force participation rate was little changed over the month at 62.6% in March and is 0.7% below its February 2020 level.
The Right Facts will continue to monitor unemployment and job openings.