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1

Technical information:

(202) 691-5870
http://www.bls.gov/jlt/

Media contact:

USDL 07-0020
For release: 10:00 A.M. EST
Wednesday, January 10, 2007

691-5902

JOB OPENINGS AND LABOR TURNOVER: NOVEMBER 2006
The job openings, hires, and total separations rates showed little or no change in November, the Bureau
of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. This release includes estimates of the
number and rate of job openings, hires, and separations for the total nonfarm sector by industry and
geographic region.
Chart 1. Job openings rate, seasonally adjusted,
Percent
December 2003 - November 2006

Chart 2. Hires and separations rates, seasonally adjusted,
Percent
December 2003 - November 2006
3.9

3.9
3.7

Hires
3.7

3.5
3.3

3.5

3.1
2.9

3.3

2.7

Separations
3.1

2.5
2.3

2.9
2.1
1.9

2.7

1.7
1.5

2.5

2004

2005

2006

2004

2005

2006

Job Openings
On the last business day of November 2006, there were 4.2 million job openings in the United States,
and the job openings rate was 3.0 percent. The job openings rate was unchanged over the month and has
shown little change since November 2005. In November 2006, the job openings rate fell in construction,
manufacturing, and education and health services; the rate did not rise significantly in any industry. Geographically, the job openings rate increased in the West region and fell in the South region over the month.
The seasonally adjusted job openings rate was highest in November for the following industries: leisure and
hospitality (4.5 percent), professional and business services (4.3 percent), and education and health services
(3.8 percent). (See table 1.)
Over the year, the job openings rate rose in information; health care and social assistance; arts, entertainment, and recreation; and accommodations and food services. The rate declined over the year in
construction; retail trade; and finance and insurance. The job openings rate rose over the year in the
Northeast and West regions. (See table 5.)

2
Table A. Job openings, hires, and total separations by industry, seasonally adjusted
Job openings
Industry

Nov.
2005

Oct.
2006

Nov.
2006 p

Nov.
2005

Hires
Oct.
2006

Nov.
2006 p

Total separations
Nov.
Oct.
Nov.
2006
2006 p
2005

Levels (in thousands)

Total 1................................................................ 4,031
Total private 1............................................... 3,604
Construction .......................................... 146
Manufacturing ....................................... 333
Trade, transportation, and utilities ..... 696
Professional and business services ... 782
Education and health services ............ 601
Leisure and hospitality ......................... 519
Government ................................................ 434

4,248
3,790
134
364
639
805
754
573
476

4,238
3,795
96
338
637
790
707
622
455

4,813
4,498
393
335
954
907
459
895
314

4,988
4,615
356
358
984
994
531
886
353

5,003
4,646
382
361
980
1,073
489
877
348

4,476
4,205
371
388
1,003
753
418
834
270

4,524
4,246
351
344
962
933
413
762
278

4,660
4,367
406
343
1,011
1,008
428
783
292

3.3
3.7
5.0
2.7
3.9
4.4
2.4
6.5
1.2

3.3
3.7
4.7
2.4
3.7
5.3
2.3
5.8
1.3

3.4
3.8
5.4
2.4
3.9
5.8
2.4
5.9
1.3

Rates (percent)
1

Total .................................................................
Total private1...............................................
Construction ..........................................
Manufacturing .......................................
Trade, transportation, and utilities .....
Professional and business services ...
Education and health services ............
Leisure and hospitality .........................
Government ................................................

2.9
3.1
1.9
2.3
2.6
4.4
3.3
3.9
1.9

3.0
3.2
1.8
2.5
2.4
4.4
4.0
4.2
2.1

3.0
3.2
1.3
2.3
2.4
4.3
3.8
4.5
2.0

3.6
4.0
5.3
2.4
3.7
5.3
2.6
6.9
1.4

3.7
4.1
4.8
2.5
3.8
5.7
3.0
6.7
1.6

3.7
4.1
5.1
2.5
3.8
6.1
2.7
6.6
1.6

1

Includes natural resources and mining, information, financial activities, and other services, not shown separately.
p = preliminary.

Hires
The hires rate was unchanged at 3.7 percent in November. Hires are any additions to the payroll during
the month. In November, the hires rate did not rise significantly in any industry or region but declined in education and health services. The seasonally adjusted hires rate was highest in November in the leisure and
hospitality industry (6.6 percent). (See table 2.)
From November 2005 to November 2006, the hires rate rose in retail trade and in professional and business services but fell in transportation, warehousing, and utilities and in other services. The hires rate did not
rise or decline significantly in any region over the year. (See table 6.)
Separations
The total separations, or turnover, rate was little changed at 3.4 percent in November. Separations are
terminations of employment that occur at any time during the month. In November, the total separations rate
did not increase or decrease significantly in any industry. Geographically, the separations rate rose in the
South region over the month. From November 2005 to November 2006, the total separations rate increased in real estate and rental and leasing and in professional and business services. The total separations
rate also increased in the South region. The total separations rate did not decline significantly in any industry
or region over the year. (See tables 3 and 7.)

3

Total separations include quits (voluntary separations), layoffs and discharges (involuntary separations),
and other separations (including retirements). The quits rate, which can serve as a barometer of workers’
ability to change jobs, rose to 2.1 percent in November. Over the month, the quits rate rose in trade,
transportation, and utilities and in professional and business services. The quits rate also rose in the South
region. In November, the seasonally adjusted quits rate was highest in the leisure and hospitality industry
(4.2 percent), which also had the highest hires rate. (See table 4.)
Over the year, the quits rate rose in finance and insurance; real estate and rental and leasing; and
professional and business services. The quits rate also rose in the Northeast region. Over the same time
period, the quits rate fell in the other services industry. (See table 8.)
The other two components of total separations—layoffs and discharges, and other separations—are not
seasonally adjusted. The layoffs and discharges rate, at 1.2 percent, was unchanged from the prior year.
For November 2006, the arts, entertainment, and recreation industry had the highest layoffs and discharges
rate (5.0 percent). From November 2005 to November 2006, the other separations rate was unchanged at
0.2 percent. (See tables 9 and 10.)
Flows in the Labor Market
Hires and separations data help show dynamic flows in the labor market. Over the 12 months ending in
November 2006, hires have averaged 4.9 million per month and separations have averaged 4.5 million per
month (not seasonally adjusted). The comparable figures for the prior 12-month period were 4.8 million
hires and 4.6 million separations. (See the Technical Note for additional information on these measures.)
For More Information
For additional information, please read the Technical Note or visit the JOLTS Web site at http://www.
bls.gov/jlt/. Additional information about JOLTS also may be obtained by e-mailing Joltsinfo@bls.gov or
by calling (202) 691-5870.
______________________________
The Job Openings and Labor Turnover release for December 2006 is scheduled to be issued on
Tuesday, February 6. The remaining release dates for 2007 are as follows:
March 13
April 10
May 8
June 12

July 10
August 8
September 11
October 10

November 6
December 11

Technical Note
The data for the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey
(JOLTS) are collected and compiled monthly from a sample of
business establishments by the Bureau of Labor Statistics
(BLS).
Collection
Each month, data are collected in a survey of business
establishments for total employment, job openings, hires, quits,
layoffs and discharges, and other separations. Data collection
methods include computer-assisted telephone interviewing,
touchtone data entry, fax, and mail.
Coverage
The JOLTS program covers all private nonfarm
establishments such as factories, offices, and stores, as well as
federal, state, and local government entities in the 50 states and
the District of Columbia.
Concepts
Industry classification. The industry classifications in this
release are in accordance with the 2002 version of the North
American Industry Classification System (NAICS). In order to
ensure the highest possible quality of data, State Workforce
Agencies verify with employers and update, if necessary, the
industry code, location, and ownership classification of all
establishments on a 3-year cycle. Changes in establishment
characteristics resulting from the verification process are
always introduced into the JOLTS sampling frame with the data
reported for the first month of the year.
Employment. Employment includes persons on the payroll
who worked or received pay for the pay period that includes
the 12th day of the reference month. Full-time, part-time,
permanent, short-term, seasonal, salaried, and hourly
employees are included, as are employees on paid vacations or
other paid leave. Proprietors or partners of unincorporated
businesses, unpaid family workers, or persons on leave without
pay or on strike for the entire pay period, are not counted as
employed. Employees of temporary help agencies, employee
leasing companies, outside contractors, and consultants are
counted by their employer of record, not by the establishment
where they are working.
Job openings. Establishments submit job openings
information for the last business day of the reference month.
A job opening requires that: 1) a specific position exists and
there is work available for that position, 2) work could start
within 30 days regardless of whether a suitable candidate is
found, and 3) the employer is actively recruiting from outside
the establishment to fill the position. Included are full-time,
part-time, permanent, short-term, and seasonal openings.
Active recruiting means that the establishment is taking steps
to fill a position by advertising in newspapers or on the Internet,
posting help-wanted signs, accepting applications, or using
other similar methods.
Jobs to be filled only by internal transfers, promotions,
demotions, or recall from layoffs are excluded. Also excluded

are jobs with start dates more than 30 days in the future, jobs
for which employees have been hired but have not yet reported
for work, and jobs to be filled by employees of temporary help
agencies, employee leasing companies, outside contractors, or
consultants. The job openings rate is computed by dividing
the number of job openings by the sum of employment and job
openings and multiplying that quotient by 100.
Hires. Hires are the total number of additions to the payroll
occurring at any time during the reference month, including
both new and rehired employees, full-time and part-time,
permanent, short-term, and seasonal employees, employees
recalled to the location after a layoff lasting more than 7 days,
on-call or intermittent employees who returned to work after
having been formally separated, and transfers from other
locations. The hires count does not include transfers or
promotions within the reporting site, employees returning from
strike, employees of temporary help agencies or employee
leasing companies, outside contractors, or consultants. The
hires rate is computed by dividing the number of hires by
employment and multiplying that quotient by 100.
Separations. Separations are the total number of
terminations of employment occurring at any time during the
reference month, and are reported by type of separation—
quits, layoffs and discharges, and other separations. Quits are
voluntary separations by employees (except for retirements,
which are reported as other separations). Layoffs and
discharges are involuntary separations initiated by the
employer and include layoffs with no intent to rehire, formal
layoffs lasting or expected to last more than 7 days, discharges
resulting from mergers, downsizing, or closings, firings or other
discharges for cause, terminations of permanent or short-term
employees, and terminations of seasonal employees. Other
separations include retirements, transfers to other locations,
deaths, and separations due to disability. Separations do not
include transfers within the same location or employees on
strike.
The separations rate is computed by dividing the number of
separations by employment and multiplying that quotient by
100. The quits, layoffs and discharges, and other separations
rates are computed similarly, dividing the number by
employment and multiplying by 100.
Annual estimates. Annual estimates of rates and levels of
hires, quits, layoffs and discharges, other separations, and total
separations are released with the January news release each year.
The JOLTS annual level estimates for hires, quits, layoffs
and discharges, other separations, and total separations are
the sum of the 12 published monthly levels. The annual rate
estimates are computed by dividing the annual level by the
Current Employment Statistics (CES) annual average
employment level, and multiplying that quotient by 100. This
figure will be approximately equal to the sum of the 12 monthly
rates. Note that both the JOLTS and CES annual levels are
rounded to the nearest thousand before the annual estimates
are calculated. Consistent with BLS practices, annual estimates
will be published only for not seasonally adjusted data.

Annual estimates are not calculated for job openings
because job openings are a stock, or point-in-time,
measurement for the last business day of each month. Only
jobs still open on the last day of the month are counted. For
the same reason job openings cannot be cumulated throughout
each month, annual figures for job openings cannot be created
by summing the monthly estimates. Hires and separations are
flow measures and are cumulated over the month with a total
reported for the month. Therefore, the annual figures can be
created by summing the monthly estimates.
Sample methodology
The JOLTS sample design is a random sample of 16,000
nonfarm business establishments, including factories, offices,
and stores, as well as federal, state, and local governments in
the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The establishments
are drawn from a universe of over eight million establishments
compiled as part of the operations of the Quarterly Census of
Employment and Wages, or QCEW, program. This program
includes all employers subject to state Unemployment
Insurance (UI) laws and federal agencies subject to
Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE).
The sampling frame is stratified by ownership, region,
industry sector, and size class. Large firms fall into the sample
with virtual certainty. JOLTS total employment estimates are
controlled to the employment estimates of the Current
Employment Statistics (CES) survey. A ratio of CES to JOLTS
employment is used to adjust the levels for all other JOLTS data
elements. Rates are then computed from the adjusted levels.
Using JOLTS data
The JOLTS data series on job openings, hires, and
separations are relatively new. The full sample is divided into
panels, with one panel enrolled each month. A full complement
of panels for the original data series based on the 1987 Standard
Industrial Classification (SIC) system was not completely
enrolled in the survey until January 2002. The supplemental
panels of establishments needed to create NAICS estimates
were not completely enrolled until May 2003. The data
collected up until those points are from less than a full sample.
Therefore, estimates from earlier months should be used with
caution, as fewer sampled units were reporting data at that time.
In March 2002, BLS procedures for collecting hires and
separations data were revised to address possible
underreporting. As a result, JOLTS hires and separations
estimates for months prior to March 2002 may not be
comparable with estimates for March 2002 and later.
The federal government reorganization that involved
transferring approximately 180,000 employees to the new
Department of Homeland Security is not reflected in the JOLTS
hires and separations estimates for the federal government.
The Office of Personnel Management’s record shows these
transfers were completed in March 2003. The inclusion of

transfers in the JOLTS definitions of hires and separations is
intended to cover ongoing movements of workers between
establishments. The Department of Homeland Security
reorganization was a massive one-time event, and the inclusion
of these intergovernmental transfers would distort the federal
government time series.
Seasonal adjustment
BLS seasonally adjusts several JOLTS series using the
X-12-ARIMA seasonal adjustment program. Seasonal
adjustment is the process of estimating and removing periodic
fluctuations caused by events such as weather, holidays,
and the beginning and ending of the school year. Seasonal
adjustment makes it easier to observe fundamental changes in
the level of the series, particularly those associated with
general economic expansions and contractions. A concurrent
seasonal adjustment methodology is used in which new
seasonal adjustment factors are calculated each month, using
all relevant data, up to and including the data for the current
month.
Data users should note that seasonal adjustment of the
JOLTS series is conducted with fewer data observations than
is customary. The historical data, therefore, may be subject to
larger than normal revisions. Since the seasonal patterns in
economic data series typically emerge over time, the standard
use of moving averages as seasonal filters to capture these
effects requires longer series than are currently available. As
a result, the stable seasonal filter option is used in the seasonal
adjustment of the JOLTS data. When calculating seasonal
factors, this filter takes an average for each calendar month
after detrending the series. The stable seasonal filter assumes
that the seasonal factors are fixed; a necessary assumption
until sufficient data are available. When the stable seasonal
filter is no longer needed, other program features also may be
introduced, such as outlier adjustment and extended
diagnostic testing. Additionally, it is expected that more series,
such as layoffs and discharges and additional industries, may
be seasonally adjusted when more data are available.
Reliability of the estimates
JOLTS estimates are subject to both sampling and
nonsampling error. When a sample rather than the entire
population is surveyed, there is a chance that the sample
estimates may differ from the “true” population values they
represent. The exact difference, or sampling error, varies
depending on the particular sample selected, and this
variability is measured by the standard error of the estimate.
BLS analysis is generally conducted at the 90-percent level of
confidence. That means that there is a 90-percent chance, or
level of confidence, that an estimate based on a sample will
differ by no more than 1.6 standard errors from the “true”
population value because of sampling error. Estimates of
sampling errors are available upon request.

The JOLTS estimates also are affected by nonsampling
error. Nonsampling error can occur for many reasons, including
the failure to include a segment of the population, the inability
to obtain data from all units in the sample, the inability or
unwillingness of respondents to provide data on a timely basis,
mistakes made by respondents, errors made in the collection or
processing of the data, and errors from the employment
benchmark data used in estimation.
JOLTS hires and separations estimates cannot be used to
exactly explain net changes in nonfarm payroll employment.
Some reasons why it is problematic to compare changes in
payroll employment with JOLTS hires and separations,
especially on a monthly basis, are: 1) the reference period for
payroll employment is the pay period including the 12th of the

month, while the reference period for hires and separations is
the calendar month; and 2) payroll employment can vary from
month to month simply because part-time and on-call workers
may not always work during the pay period that includes the
12th of the month. Additionally, research has found that some
reporters systematically underreport separations relative to
hires due to a number of factors, including the nature of their
payroll systems and practices. The shortfall appears to be
about 2 percent or less over a 12-month period.
Other information
Information in this release will be made available to sensory
impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: 202-691-5200;
TDD message referral phone: 1-800-877-8339.

1

2

Table 1. Job openings levels and rates by industry and region, seasonally adjusted
3

Rates

Levels (in thousands)
Industry and region

Nov.
2005

June
2006

July
2006

Aug.
2006

Sept.
2006

Oct. Nov. Nov.
2006 2006p 2005

Total 4……………………………………………………………………………………………..
4,031 3,960 3,844 4,061 4,154 4,248 4,238

June
2006

July
2006

Aug.
2006

Sept.
2006

Oct. Nov.
2006 2006p

2.9

2.8

2.8

2.9

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.1
1.9
2.3
2.6
4.4
3.3
3.9
1.9

3.0
2.1
2.1
2.4
3.4
3.6
3.6
2.1

2.9
1.9
2.1
2.3
3.6
3.5
3.6
2.1

3.1
2.1
2.1
2.6
3.7
3.7
3.7
2.1

3.1
1.8
2.1
2.7
4.0
3.7
3.8
2.2

3.2
1.8
2.5
2.4
4.4
4.0
4.2
2.1

3.2
1.3
2.3
2.4
4.3
3.8
4.5
2.0

2.7
3.2
2.3
3.4

2.7
3.0
2.4
3.0

2.7
3.0
2.3
3.0

2.8
3.1
2.5
3.1

3.1
3.2
2.4
3.2

3.0
3.3
2.4
3.4

3.0
3.1
2.4
3.7

INDUSTRY
4

Total private ………………………………………………………………………………..
3,604 3,476 3,363 3,604 3,659 3,790 3,795
Construction………………………………………………………………
146
161
148
162
140
134
96
Manufacturing……………………………………………….……….
333
301
305
310
307
364
338
Trade, transportation, and utilities…………………………
696
640
605
686
736
639
637
Professional and business services…………………….
782
616
651
661
728
805
790
Education and health services………………………………………….
601
659
643
678
691
754
707
Leisure and hospitality………………...……………………………
519
487
482
501
520
573
622
Government……………………………………………………………………………..
434
467
478
464
492
476
455
REGION

5

Northeast……………………………………………………………….
704
699
699
747
824
791
807
South…………………………………………………………………………………..
1,562 1,507 1,498 1,548 1,582 1,630 1,532
Midwest……………………………………………………………………………..
748
777
739
809
783
764
769
West…………………………………………………………………………..
1,046
935
911
955
991 1,062 1,142
1

Job openings are the number of job openings on the last business day

New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode

of the month.
2

Island, and Vermont; South: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware,

The job openings rate is the number of job openings on the last business

District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana,

day of the month as a percent of total employment plus job openings.
3

Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina,

Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent

Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia; Midwest: Illinois,

seasonal adjustment of the various series.
4

Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska,

Includes natural resources and mining, information, financial activities,

North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin; West: Alaska,

and other services, not shown separately.
5

Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada,

The States (including the District of Columbia) that comprise

New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
p

the regions are: Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts,

= preliminary.

Table 2. Hires levels 1 and rates 2 by industry and region, seasonally adjusted
Levels 3 (in thousands)
Industry and region

Nov.
2005

June
2006

July
2006

Aug.
2006

Sept.
2006

Rates
Oct. Nov. Nov.
2006 2006p 2005

Total 4……………………………………………………………………………………………..
4,813 4,899 4,995 4,831 4,803 4,988 5,003

June
2006

July
2006

Aug.
2006

Sept.
2006

Oct. Nov.
2006 2006p

3.6

3.6

3.7

3.6

3.5

3.7

3.7

4.0
5.3
2.4
3.7
5.3
2.6
6.9
1.4

4.0
4.9
2.7
4.2
5.2
2.6
6.5
1.8

4.2
4.9
2.7
4.0
5.6
2.9
6.5
1.5

3.9
4.7
2.5
4.1
4.9
2.7
6.1
1.9

3.9
4.5
2.3
3.7
5.7
2.6
6.3
1.7

4.1
4.8
2.5
3.8
5.7
3.0
6.7
1.6

4.1
5.1
2.5
3.8
6.1
2.7
6.6
1.6

3.0
3.8
3.3
4.0

2.9
3.9
3.4
4.0

3.3
3.8
3.6
3.9

2.9
3.9
3.2
3.9

2.8
4.1
3.1
3.7

2.9
4.0
3.5
4.0

2.8
4.0
3.3
4.2

INDUSTRY
4

Total private ………………………………………………………………………………..
4,498 4,508 4,741 4,396 4,395 4,615 4,646
Construction………………………………………………………………
393
366
365
351
338
356
382
Manufacturing……………………………………………………….
335
378
380
353
325
358
361
Trade, transportation, and utilities…………………………
954 1,099 1,045 1,070
968
984
980
Professional and business services…………………….
907
905
967
860
988
994 1,073
Education and health services………………………………………….
459
465
521
482
465
531
489
Leisure and hospitality………………...……………………………
895
846
850
794
827
886
877
Government……………………………………………………………………………..
314
392
338
409
380
353
348
REGION 5
Northeast……………………………………………………………….
747
729
841
738
718
731
721
South…………………………………………………………………………………..
1,813 1,877 1,849 1,907 1,993 1,944 1,930
Midwest……………………………………………………………………………..
1,031 1,072 1,123 1,008
997 1,096 1,043
West…………………………………………………………………………..
1,188 1,207 1,177 1,160 1,122 1,204 1,274
1

Hires are the number of hires during the entire month.
The hires rate is the number of hires during the entire month as a percent of total employment.
3
Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent seasonal adjustment of the various series.
4
Includes natural resources and mining, information, financial activities, and other services, not shown separately.
5
See footnote 5, table 1.
p
= preliminary.

2

Table 3. Total separations levels 1 and rates 2 by industry and region, seasonally adjusted
Levels 3 (in thousands)
Industry and region

Nov.
2005

June
2006

July
2006

Aug.
2006

Sept.
2006

Rates
Oct. Nov. Nov.
2006 2006p 2005

Total 4……………………………………………………………………………………………..
4,476 4,631 4,479 4,386 4,380 4,524 4,660

June
2006

July
2006

Aug.
2006

Sept.
2006

Oct. Nov.
2006 2006p

3.3

3.4

3.3

3.2

3.2

3.3

3.4

3.7
5.0
2.7
3.9
4.4
2.4
6.5
1.2

3.8
4.3
2.6
4.2
4.4
2.4
6.2
1.4

3.7
5.5
2.5
3.6
4.2
2.4
6.3
1.4

3.6
4.6
2.6
3.8
4.1
2.6
6.1
1.4

3.6
4.4
2.8
3.9
4.5
2.2
5.4
1.5

3.7
4.7
2.4
3.7
5.3
2.3
5.8
1.3

3.8
5.4
2.4
3.9
5.8
2.4
5.9
1.3

2.4
3.6
3.5
3.4

2.8
3.8
2.8
3.8

3.0
3.5
3.4
3.3

2.7
3.5
3.0
3.6

3.0
3.4
2.9
3.4

3.0
3.3
3.2
3.7

2.7
4.0
3.1
3.5

June
2006

July
2006

Aug.
2006

Sept.
2006

2.0

2.0

1.9

1.9

1.8

1.9

2.1

2.3
2.5
1.5
2.3
2.1
1.6
4.6
.6

2.3
2.0
1.3
2.4
2.2
1.6
4.8
.7

2.2
2.1
1.3
2.3
2.4
1.6
4.2
.7

2.2
1.9
1.4
2.3
2.2
1.7
4.1
.7

2.0
1.7
1.3
2.3
2.3
1.5
3.8
.7

2.2
1.8
1.4
2.2
2.4
1.6
4.1
.6

2.3
1.9
1.5
2.5
2.9
1.6
4.2
.7

1.3
2.3
1.8
2.2

1.4
2.4
1.8
2.1

1.5
2.2
1.8
2.0

1.6
2.3
1.7
1.8

1.5
2.1
1.6
1.8

1.4
2.2
1.9
1.9

1.6
2.4
1.8
2.1

INDUSTRY
Total private 4………………………………………………………………………………..
4,205 4,299 4,168 4,083 4,050 4,246 4,367
Construction………………………………………………………………
371
324
415
348
332
351
406
Manufacturing……………………………………………………….
388
370
358
364
391
344
343
Trade, transportation, and utilities…………………………
1,003 1,082
935
997 1,004
962 1,011
Professional and business services…………………….
753
755
735
705
781
933 1,008
Education and health services………………………………………….
418
424
431
460
390
413
428
Leisure and hospitality………………...……………………………
834
802
818
801
711
762
783
Government……………………………………………………………………………..
270
315
306
304
322
278
292
REGION 5
Northeast……………………………………………………………….
619
724
763
695
766
763
685
South…………………………………………………………………………………..
1,711 1,858 1,687 1,703 1,659 1,599 1,928
Midwest……………………………………………………………………………..
1,081
871 1,087
942
904 1,028
990
West…………………………………………………………………………..
1,004 1,137
979 1,070 1,031 1,101 1,044

1

Total separations are the number of total separations during the entire month.
The total separations rate is the number of total separations during the entire month as a percent of total employment.
3
Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent seasonal adjustment of the various series.
4
Includes natural resources and mining, information, financial activities, and other services, not shown separately.
5
See footnote 5, table 1.
p
= preliminary.
2

Table 4. Quits levels 1 and rates 2 by industry and region, seasonally adjusted
Levels 3 (in thousands)
Industry and region

Nov.
2005

June
2006

July
2006

Aug.
2006

Sept.
2006

Rates
Oct. Nov. Nov.
2006 2006p 2005

Total 4……………………………………………………………………………………………..
2,683 2,699 2,623 2,597 2,473 2,606 2,806

Oct. Nov.
2006 2006p

INDUSTRY
Total private 4………………………………………………………………………………..
2,540 2,554 2,469 2,442 2,309 2,461 2,661
Construction………………………………………………………………
183
154
157
143
131
135
143
Manufacturing……………………………………………………….
210
190
189
194
182
195
213
Trade, transportation, and utilities…………………………
606
615
586
604
594
571
659
Professional and business services…………………….
359
386
412
388
401
425
500
Education and health services………………………………………….
277
290
277
300
262
278
280
Leisure and hospitality………………...……………………………
595
622
549
542
495
544
557
Government……………………………………………………………………………..
142
146
156
153
159
143
145
REGION 5
Northeast……………………………………………………………….
333
358
378
404
383
366
407
South…………………………………………………………………………………..
1,102 1,153 1,081 1,095 1,029 1,047 1,149
Midwest……………………………………………………………………………..
572
552
562
551
522
605
577
West…………………………………………………………………………..
657
631
598
553
544
579
628

1

Quits are the number of quits during the entire month.
The quits rate is the number of quits during the entire month as a percent of total employment.
3
Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent seasonal adjustment of the various series.
4
Includes natural resources and mining, information, financial activities, and other services, not shown separately.
5
See footnote 5, table 1.
p
= preliminary.

2

Table 5. Job openings levels 1 and rates 2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted
Levels (in thousands)
Industry and region

Nov.
2005

Oct.
2006

Rates

Nov.
2006p

Nov.
2005

Oct.
2006

Nov.
2006p

Total……………………………………………………………………………………………..
3,721
4,288
3,916

2.7

3.0

2.8

Total private………………………………………………………………………………..
3,305
3,833
3,483
Natural resources and mining……………………………………………
14
16
14
Construction…………………………………………………………………………………………
123
119
79
Manufacturing………………………………………………………………………….
290
355
296
Durable goods...……………………………………………………………..….
197
221
193
Nondurable goods...………………………………………………………..…
93
134
104
Trade, transportation, and utilities…………………………………………….
655
755
596
Wholesale trade………………………………………………………...………
102
130
105
Retail trade………………………………………………………..…..………..
426
483
366
Transportation, warehousing, and utilities………………....
127
143
126
Information………………………………………………………………...………..
99
137
163
Financial activities……..…………………………………………………….……
276
238
231
Finance and insurance………………………………………………………………………….
221
193
181
Real estate and rental and leasing……………………………..
56
46
50
Professional and business services………………………………….
738
816
760
Education and health services………………………………………….…………….
567
743
661
Educational services……………………………………………………….
64
69
50
Health care and social assistance…………………………….
503
674
611
Leisure and hospitality………………...……………………………...………
438
508
546
Arts, entertainment, and recreation……………………………….
46
72
74
Accommodations and food services………………………….
392
436
472
Other services……………………………………………………….……………..
105
144
137

2.8
2.1
1.6
2.0
2.2
1.7
2.4
1.7
2.6
2.5
3.1
3.3
3.5
2.5
4.1
3.1
2.1
3.3
3.4
2.6
3.5
1.9

3.2
2.2
1.5
2.4
2.4
2.5
2.8
2.2
3.1
2.7
4.3
2.8
3.0
2.1
4.4
4.0
2.2
4.3
3.7
3.7
3.7
2.6

3.0
2.0
1.0
2.0
2.1
2.0
2.2
1.8
2.3
2.4
5.1
2.7
2.8
2.2
4.1
3.5
1.6
3.9
4.0
4.0
4.1
2.5

Government……………………………………………………………………………..
416
455
432
Federal……………………………………………………………………...……………
38
41
33
State and local…………….………………………………………….……………….
378
414
399

1.8
1.4
1.9

2.0
1.5
2.1

1.9
1.2
2.0

2.6
2.9
2.1
3.0

3.2
3.2
2.4
3.4

2.9
2.8
2.1
3.3

INDUSTRY

REGION 3
Northeast……………………………………………………………………………..
678
845
781
South…………………………………………………………………………………..
1,449
1,607
1,417
Midwest………………………………………………………………………………..…..
662
770
678
West………………………………………………………………………………………….
931
1,066
1,040

1

Job openings are the number of job openings on the last business day of the month.

2

The job openings rate is the number of job openings on the last business day of the month as a percent of total employment plus

job openings.
3
See footnote 5, table 1.
p

= preliminary.

Table 6. Hires levels 1 and rates 2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted
Levels (in thousands)
Industry and region

Nov.
2005

Oct.
2006

Rates

Nov.
2006p

Nov.
2005

Oct.
2006

Nov.
2006p

Total……………………………………………………………………………………………..
4,359
4,991
4,531

3.2

3.6

3.3

Total private………………………………………………………………………………..
4,105
4,654
4,257
Natural resources and mining……………………………………………
18
19
12
Construction…………………………………………………………………………………………
298
325
295
Manufacturing………………………………………………………………………….
269
337
292
Durable goods...……………………………………………………………..….
166
194
171
Nondurable goods...………………………………………………………..…
103
143
121
Trade, transportation, and utilities…………………………………………….
1,126
1,137
1,152
Wholesale trade………………………………………………………...………
112
140
105
Retail trade………………………………………………………..…..………..
810
834
903
Transportation, warehousing, and utilities………………....
205
162
144
Information………………………………………………………………...………..
94
73
75
Financial activities……..…………………………………………………….……
197
217
201
Finance and insurance………………………………………………………………………….
123
141
126
Real estate and rental and leasing……………………………..
75
76
75
Professional and business services………………………………….
793
1,003
959
Education and health services………………………………………….…………….
388
538
412
Educational services……………………………………………………….
48
72
37
Health care and social assistance…………………………….
340
466
375
Leisure and hospitality………………...……………………………...………
741
797
731
Arts, entertainment, and recreation……………………………….
81
80
119
Accommodations and food services………………………….
660
717
612
Other services……………………………………………………….……………..
180
208
128

3.6
2.7
4.0
1.9
1.9
2.0
4.3
1.9
5.2
4.1
3.1
2.4
2.0
3.5
4.6
2.2
1.6
2.3
5.9
4.6
6.1
3.4

4.1
2.7
4.2
2.4
2.2
2.7
4.3
2.4
5.5
3.2
2.4
2.6
2.3
3.5
5.7
3.0
2.3
3.1
6.1
4.2
6.4
3.8

3.7
1.8
3.9
2.1
1.9
2.3
4.3
1.8
5.8
2.9
2.4
2.4
2.0
3.5
5.5
2.3
1.2
2.5
5.7
6.7
5.5
2.4

Government……………………………………………………………………………..
254
337
274
Federal……………………………………………………………………...……………
32
32
43
State and local…………….………………………………………….……………….
222
305
231

1.1
1.2
1.1

1.5
1.2
1.5

1.2
1.6
1.2

2.7
3.4
2.9
3.7

2.9
4.0
3.4
4.1

2.6
3.5
2.9
4.0

INDUSTRY

REGION 3
Northeast……………………………………………………………………………..
700
746
664
South…………………………………………………………………………………..
1,623
1,942
1,733
Midwest………………………………………………………………………………..…..
930
1,069
930
West………………………………………………………………………………………….
1,106
1,234
1,204

1

Hires are the number of hires during the entire month.
The hires rate is the number of hires during the entire month as a percent of total employment.
3
See footnote 5, table 1.
p
= preliminary.
2

Table 7. Total separations levels 1 and rates 2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted
Levels (in thousands)
Industry and region

Nov.
2005

Oct.
2006

Rates

Nov.
2006p

Nov.
2005

Oct.
2006

Nov.
2006p

Total……………………………………………………………………………………………..
4,152
4,571
4,346

3.1

3.3

3.2

Total private………………………………………………………………………………..
3,954
4,335
4,136
Natural resources and mining……………………………………………
14
15
13
Construction…………………………………………………………………………………………
401
360
442
Manufacturing………………………………………………………………………….
376
361
325
Durable goods...……………………………………………………………..….
223
205
199
Nondurable goods...………………………………………………………..…
153
155
126
Trade, transportation, and utilities…………………………………………….
934
940
939
Wholesale trade………………………………………………………...………
135
135
127
Retail trade………………………………………………………..…..………..
638
638
679
Transportation, warehousing, and utilities………………....
160
168
134
Information………………………………………………………………...………..
82
77
72
Financial activities……..…………………………………………………….……
142
247
199
Finance and insurance………………………………………………………………………….
83
149
108
Real estate and rental and leasing……………………………..
58
98
90
Professional and business services………………………………….
672
892
907
Education and health services………………………………………….…………….
344
378
353
Educational services……………………………………………………….
36
35
36
Health care and social assistance…………………………….
308
343
317
Leisure and hospitality………………...……………………………...………
816
904
767
Arts, entertainment, and recreation……………………………….
124
158
126
Accommodations and food services………………………….
692
745
640
Other services……………………………………………………….……………..
175
162
119

3.5
2.1
5.3
2.6
2.5
2.9
3.5
2.3
4.1
3.2
2.7
1.7
1.4
2.7
3.9
1.9
1.2
2.1
6.5
7.0
6.4
3.3

3.8
2.1
4.7
2.5
2.3
3.0
3.6
2.3
4.2
3.3
2.5
3.0
2.4
4.5
5.1
2.1
1.2
2.3
6.9
8.4
6.6
3.0

3.6
1.9
5.9
2.3
2.2
2.4
3.5
2.2
4.3
2.7
2.4
2.4
1.8
4.2
5.2
1.9
1.2
2.1
5.9
7.1
5.7
2.2

Government……………………………………………………………………………..
198
237
210
Federal……………………………………………………………………...……………
29
32
30
State and local…………….………………………………………….……………….
169
205
180

.9
1.1
.9

1.1
1.2
1.0

.9
1.1
.9

2.3
3.1
3.4
3.3

3.1
3.4
3.2
3.7

2.5
3.5
3.1
3.3

INDUSTRY

REGION 3
Northeast……………………………………………………………………………..
587
789
635
South…………………………………………………………………………………..
1,503
1,662
1,705
Midwest………………………………………………………………………………..…..
1,087
1,011
1,000
West………………………………………………………………………………………….
976
1,110
1,006

1

Total separations are the number of total separations during the entire month.
The total separations rate is the number of total separations during the entire month as a percent of total employment.
3
See footnote 5, table 1.
p
= preliminary.
2

Table 8. Quits levels 1 and rates 2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted
Levels (in thousands)
Industry and region

Nov.
2005

Oct.
2006

Rates

Nov.
2006p

Nov.
2005

Oct.
2006

Nov.
2006p

Total……………………………………………………………………………………………..
2,313
2,556
2,414

1.7

1.9

1.8

1.9
1.3
2.1
1.1
1.2
1.1
2.1
.8
2.8
1.4
1.7
1.0
.9
1.1
1.8
1.3
.8
1.4
4.2
2.0
4.5
2.2

2.1
1.2
1.8
1.4
1.2
1.7
2.2
1.1
2.8
1.5
1.6
1.9
1.7
2.5
2.3
1.5
.6
1.6
4.4
3.4
4.5
1.4

2.0
.9
1.6
1.2
1.1
1.3
2.3
1.2
3.0
1.5
1.6
1.5
1.2
2.1
2.5
1.3
.6
1.4
3.8
2.0
4.1
1.2

.5
.6
.5

.5
.5
.5

.5
.5
.5

1.1
2.0
1.6
1.9

1.4
2.2
1.8
1.8

1.4
2.0
1.6
1.8

INDUSTRY
Total private………………………………………………………………………………..
2,203
2,437
2,305
Natural resources and mining……………………………………………
9
8
7
Construction…………………………………………………………………………………………
158
141
119
Manufacturing………………………………………………………………………….
162
200
167
Durable goods...……………………………………………………………..….
105
108
99
Nondurable goods...………………………………………………………..…
57
91
67
Trade, transportation, and utilities…………………………………………….
550
567
607
Wholesale trade………………………………………………………...………
48
66
71
Retail trade………………………………………………………..…..………..
432
427
462
Transportation, warehousing, and utilities………………....
70
73
75
Information………………………………………………………………...………..
53
49
48
Financial activities……..…………………………………………………….……
80
161
121
Finance and insurance………………………………………………………………………….
56
106
75
Real estate and rental and leasing……………………………..
23
55
46
Professional and business services………………………………….
313
402
438
Education and health services………………………………………….…………….
234
263
234
Educational services……………………………………………………….
23
17
19
Health care and social assistance…………………………….
210
246
215
Leisure and hospitality………………...……………………………...………
527
572
497
Arts, entertainment, and recreation……………………………….
36
64
35
Accommodations and food services………………………….
491
509
462
Other services……………………………………………………….……………..
118
74
66
Government……………………………………………………………………………..
109
119
109
Federal……………………………………………………………………...……………
17
15
15
State and local…………….………………………………………….……………….
93
104
95
REGION 3
Northeast……………………………………………………………………………..
281
372
354
South…………………………………………………………………………………..
945
1,064
988
Midwest………………………………………………………………………………..…..
514
581
518
West………………………………………………………………………………………….
572
538
554

1

Quits are the number of quits during the entire month.
The quits rate is the number of quits during the entire month as a percent of total employment.
3
See footnote 5, table 1.
p
= preliminary.
2

Table 9. Layoffs and discharges levels 1 and rates 2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted
Levels (in thousands)
Industry and region

Nov.
2005

Oct.
2006

Rates

Nov.
2006p

Nov.
2005

Oct.
2006

Nov.
2006p

Total……………………………………………………………………………………………..
1,560
1,697
1,645

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.3
.6
2.8
1.2
1.0
1.6
1.3
1.4
1.1
1.6
.8
.6
.3
1.6
1.8
.5
.4
.5
2.1
5.0
1.7
.7

1.4
.6
2.4
.9
.9
1.0
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.3
.7
.8
.5
1.6
2.5
.5
.5
.5
2.4
4.9
2.0
1.3

1.4
.6
3.9
1.0
1.0
.9
1.0
.8
1.1
1.0
.6
.8
.4
2.0
2.3
.5
.4
.5
2.0
5.0
1.5
.8

.3
.3
.3

.4
.4
.4

.3
.3
.3

1.0
1.0
1.6
1.1

1.4
1.0
1.2
1.6

.8
1.3
1.3
1.3

INDUSTRY
Total private………………………………………………………………………………..
1,499
1,611
1,572
Natural resources and mining……………………………………………
4
4
4
Construction…………………………………………………………………………………………
212
186
292
Manufacturing………………………………………………………………………….
172
135
137
Durable goods...……………………………………………………………..….
86
81
89
Nondurable goods...………………………………………………………..…
86
54
48
Trade, transportation, and utilities…………………………………………….
332
296
267
Wholesale trade………………………………………………………...………
80
62
44
Retail trade………………………………………………………..…..………..
174
167
171
Transportation, warehousing, and utilities………………....
79
67
52
Information………………………………………………………………...………..
23
23
18
Financial activities……..…………………………………………………….……
52
65
67
Finance and insurance………………………………………………………………………….
19
30
23
Real estate and rental and leasing……………………………..
34
35
43
Professional and business services………………………………….
308
432
403
Education and health services………………………………………….…………….
89
88
88
Educational services……………………………………………………….
11
15
12
Health care and social assistance…………………………….
78
73
76
Leisure and hospitality………………...……………………………...………
267
312
254
Arts, entertainment, and recreation……………………………….
88
93
89
Accommodations and food services………………………….
179
219
166
Other services……………………………………………………….……………..
40
71
43
Government……………………………………………………………………………..
61
86
73
Federal……………………………………………………………………...……………
7
10
8
State and local…………….………………………………………….……………….
54
76
65
REGION 3
Northeast……………………………………………………………………………..
263
359
216
South…………………………………………………………………………………..
467
475
623
Midwest………………………………………………………………………………..…..
496
375
413
West………………………………………………………………………………………….
335
489
393

1

Layoffs and discharges are the number of layoffs and discharges during the entire month.

2

The layoffs and discharges rate is the number of layoffs and discharges during the entire month as a percent of total employment.

3

See footnote 5, table 1.

p

= preliminary.

Table 10. Other separations levels 1 and rates 2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted
Levels (in thousands)
Industry and region

Nov.
2005

Oct.
2006

Rates

Nov.
2006p

Nov.
2005

Oct.
2006

Nov.
2006p

Total……………………………………………………………………………………………..
279
318
287

0.2

0.2

0.2

.2
.3
.4
.3
.4
.2
.2
.1
.2
.2
.2
.1
.1
.1
.3
.1
.1
.1
.2
(4)
.2
.3

.2
.3
.4
.2
.2
.2
.3
.1
.3
.5
.2
.2
.2
.4
.3
.2
.1
.2
.1
.1
.2
.3

.2
.4
.4
.2
.1
.2
.2
.2
.3
.2
.2
.1
.2
(4)
.4
.2
.1
.2
.1
.1
.1
.2

.1
.2
.1

.1
.2
.1

.1
.3
.1

.2
.2
.2
.2

.2
.3
.2
.3

.3
.2
.2
.2

INDUSTRY
Total private………………………………………………………………………………..
252
286
260
Natural resources and mining……………………………………………
2
2
3
Construction…………………………………………………………………………………………
31
33
31
Manufacturing………………………………………………………………………….
42
26
22
Durable goods...……………………………………………………………..….
33
16
11
Nondurable goods...………………………………………………………..…
10
10
11
Trade, transportation, and utilities…………………………………………….
51
77
65
Wholesale trade………………………………………………………...………
8
7
11
Retail trade………………………………………………………..…..………..
33
43
46
Transportation, warehousing, and utilities………………....
11
27
8
Information………………………………………………………………...………..
5
5
6
Financial activities……..…………………………………………………….……
10
21
11
Finance and insurance………………………………………………………………………….
8
13
10
Real estate and rental and leasing……………………………..
1
8
1
Professional and business services………………………………….
51
58
66
Education and health services………………………………………….…………….
21
28
31
Educational services……………………………………………………….
2
4
5
Health care and social assistance…………………………….
19
25
26
Leisure and hospitality………………...……………………………...………
22
19
15
(4)
Arts, entertainment, and recreation……………………………….
2
2
Accommodations and food services………………………….
21
18
13
Other services……………………………………………………….……………..
18
17
10
Government……………………………………………………………………………..
27
32
28
Federal……………………………………………………………………...……………
5
7
7
State and local…………….………………………………………….……………….
22
26
20
REGION 3
Northeast……………………………………………………………………………..
43
58
66
South…………………………………………………………………………………..
91
123
94
Midwest………………………………………………………………………………..…..
77
54
69
West………………………………………………………………………………………….
68
83
59

1
2

Other separations are the number of other separations during the entire month.

The other separations rate is the number of other separations during the entire month as a percent of total employment.
See footnote 5, table 1.
4
Data round to zero.
p
= preliminary.
3