May 2026 — 2026-06-30

The number of job openings was unchanged at 7.6 million in May, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Hires were unchanged at 5.2 million, while total separations changed little at 5.1 million. Within separations, quits (3.1 million) changed little, while layoffs and discharges (1.7 million) were unchanged. This release includes estimates of the number and rate of job openings, hires, and separations for the total nonfarm sector, by industry, and by establishment size class. Job openings include all positions that are open on the last business day of the month. Hires and separations include all changes to the payroll during the entire month. The number and rate of job openings were unchanged at 7.6 million and 4.6 percent, respectively, in May. The number of job openings increased in wholesale trade (+71,000). (See table 1.) The number and rate of hires were unchanged at 5.2 million and 3.3 percent, respectively, in May. Hires increased in federal government (+11,000).