Job Openings Figure Virtually Flat

Washington, DC, March 10, 2015—There were 5.0 million job openings on the last business day of January, little changed from 4.9 million in December, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports.

Hires decreased to 5.0 million in January, and separations were little changed at 4.8 million. Within separations, the quits rate was little changed at 2.0%, and the layoffs and discharges rate was unchanged at 1.2%.

The number of job openings (not seasonally adjusted) increased over the 12 months ending in January for total nonfarm, total private, and government.

Job openings increased over the year for many industries including professional and business services, healthcare and social assistance, and accommodation and food services.

Job openings decreased over the year in mining and logging.