The number of people quitting their jobs was at a series high at the end of March, reaching  4.5 million according to recently released BLS data. This is a 152,000 increase from February’s 4.4 million. The quits rate changed very little, coming in at 3.0% after February’s 2.9%.

There were 11.5 million open jobs in March, an increase of 200,000 from the previous month.

Where job openings increased

  • Retail trade (+155,000)
  • Professional and business services (+103,000)
  • Finance and insurance (+51,000)
  • Durable goods manufacturing (+50,000)
  • Nondurable goods manufacturing (+25,000)

Where job openings decreased

  • Transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-69,000)
  • Accommodation and food services (-59,000)
  • State and local education (-43,000)
  • Wholesale trade (-43,000)
  • Health care and social assistance (-25,000)

Net employment increased over the 12 months ending in March — there were 77.7 million hires and 71.4 million separations (which include quits, layoffs, discharges, and other separations), reflecting a total net employment gain of 6.3 million.