Charting the U.S. job openings rate since 2001
On the last business day of August 2006, there were 4.1 million job openings in the United States and the job openings rate was 3.0 percent, the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on October 12.
The job openings rate increased over the month to the highest level since April 2001, after showing little change since November 2005. In August, the job openings rate increased in trade, transportation, and utilities and in three of the four regions — the Midwest, South and West. There were no significant over-the-month decreases in the job openings rates in any industry or region.
The job openings rate is the number of openings divided by employment plus job openings. A job opening requires that a specific position exists and there is work available for that position, work could start within 30 days regardless of whether a suitable candidate is found, and the employer is actively recruiting from outside the establishment to fill the position.
This data comes from the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. The above data are seasonally adjusted. Data for August 2006 are preliminary and subject to revision. Find additional information in "Job Openings and Labor Turnover: August 2006," news release USDL 06-1784.