The number of available jobs continues to outnumber Americans looking for work once again.
Job openings decreased to 7.6 million in December after November was revised up by 58,000 to 8.2 million.
There are 1.3 million fewer job openings than December 2023.
The number of job openings decreased in professional and business services (-225,000), health care and social assistance (-180,000), and finance and insurance (-136,000). Job openings increased in arts, entertainment, and recreation (+65,000).
The U.S. added 256,000 jobs in December and there were 6.9 million people unemployed.
The number of job openings for November was revised up by 58,000 to 8.2 million, the number of hires was revised up by 104,000 to 5.4 million, and the number of total separations was revised up by 105,000 to 5.2 million. Within separations, the number of quits was revised up by 65,000 to 3.1 million, and the number of layoffs and discharges was revised up by 35,000 to 1.8 million.
In December, the number of hires changed little at 5.5 million but was down by 325,000 over the year.
The number of total separations in December was little changed at 5.3 million.
Within separations, quits (3.2 million) and layoffs and discharges (1.8 million) changed little.
Quits were down by 242,000 over the year.
Quits decreased in transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-42,000).
Layoffs and discharges increased in transportation, warehousing, and utilities (+87,000), and in mining and logging (+6,000).
The labor force participation rate fell remained at 62.5% and is 0.9% below its February 2020 level.
The Right Facts will continue to monitor unemployment and job openings.