Key Points:
- The number of available jobs since May 2021 continues to outnumber Americans looking for work.
- Job openings rose 8.0 million in August after July was revised up by 38,000 to 7.7 million.
- There are 1.3 million fewer job openings than August 2023.
- The number of job openings increased in construction (+138,000) and in state and local government, excluding education (+78,000). Job openings decreased in other services (-93,000).
- The U.S. added 142,000 jobs in August but there were 7.1 million people unemployed.
- The number of job openings for July was revised up by 38,000 to 7.7 million, the number of hires was revised down by 105,000 to 5.4 million, and the number of total separations was revised down by 106,000 to 5.3 million. Within separations, the number of quits was revised down by 34,000 to 3.2 million, and the number of layoffs and discharges was revised down by 49,000 to 1.7 million.
- The number of hires fell to 5.3 million in August.
- The number of total separations in August fell to 5.0 million. Total separations increased in professional and business services (+149,000) but decreased in accommodation and food services (-111,000) and in state and local government, excluding education (-25,000).
- Within separations, quits (3.1 million) and layoffs and discharges (1.6 million) both fell.
- Quits decreased in transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-45,000); arts, entertainment, and recreation (-18,000); and private educational services (-11,000).
- Layoffs and discharges decreased in health care and social assistance (-52,000).
- The labor force participation rate changed little at 62.7% and is 0.7% below its February 2020 level.
- The Right Facts will continue to monitor unemployment and job openings.