Businessman sending and showing resignation letter to employer boss. Quitting a job, businessman fired or leave a job concept.

The Great Resignation reached a new peak in September as 4.4 million left their jobs, according to BLS data released Friday. This represents an increase of 164,000 compared to August and is the highest number since the government began tracking.

As of the last business day in September, there were 10.4 million open jobs.

Where job openings increased

  • Health care and social assistance (+141,000 jobs)
  • State and local government, excluding education (+114,000 jobs)
  • Wholesale trade (+51,000 jobs)
  • Information (+51,000 jobs)

Where job openings decreased

  • State and local government education (-114,000 jobs)
  • Other services (-104,000 jobs)
  • Retail estate and rental and leasing (-65,000 jobs)
  • Educational services (-45,000 jobs)

Despite the high quit rate, net employment has increased. Over the 12 months ending in September, there were 73.3 million hires and 67.7 million separations (includes quits, layoffs, discharges, and other separations), for a total net employment gain 5.6 million.