The number of job openings remained at 11.3 million on the last business day of February, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This number is in line with what was reported for the last business day of January. The number of hires increased to 6.7 million and the number of separations changed little at 6.1 million.
Hires went up for construction (+75,000) and decreased for information (-29,000). The number of hires across the four regions (Northeast, South, Midwest, and West) did not show significant changes.
Total separations, including quits, layoffs and discharges, and other separations, decreased in information (-45,000) and in finance and insurance (-41,000). The number of total separations remained steady in all four regions.
Quits remained at 4.4 million, or 2.9%, increasing in retail trade (+74,000) and durable goods manufacturing (+22,000) and decreasing in finance and insurance (-30,000). The quits rate increased in establishments with 1,000 – 4,999 employees.
Over the 12 months ending in February 2022, net employment gain was at 6.4 million. There were a total of 77.0 million hires and 70.6 million separations during this time period.
