| Consensus | Consensus Range | Actual | Previous | Revised | |
| Job Openings | 7.245M | 7.000M to 7.294M | 6.542M | 7.15M | 6.928M |
Highlights
The data on job openings and labor turnover for December point to a weakening in the job market at the end of 2025 with fewer opportunities for job seekers and soft hiring, while most industries held on to their existing employees. Workers with sought-after skills and experience in a few sectors continue to switch jobs for better compensation. Some businesses are hiring those workers where the labor supply is limited.
Job openings are down 386,000 to 6.542 million in December after a downward revision to 6.928 million in November. Private sector job openings are down 423,000 to 5.804 million. Some of the decline may reflect some anticipation of lower staffing needs in 2026. There are large declines of 195,000 in retail trade, 120,000 in finance and insurance, and 92,000 in health care and social assistance. Retailers are closing less profitable stores, finance is adopting AI tools, and health care may be restructuring due to tight labor supplies of qualified workers. Government job openings are up 37,000 in December, entirely due to an increase of 43,000 at the state and local levels.
Hiring is up 172,000 to 5.293 million in December with private payrolls up 152,000. Hiring was modest and in most major industries. The largest gains are 41,000 in trade, transportation, and utilities, 50,000 in private education and health services, and 34,000 in leisure and hospitality. However, there is a decrease of 52,000 in professional and business services. Government hiring is up 19,000 in December from an increase of 32,000 at the state and local levels.
Total job separations are up 107,000 to 5.251 million in December with private industry separations up 77,000. The picture is mixed in the private sector. Separations are substantially higher with increase of 202,000 for trade, transportation, and utilities on top of broad-based increases elsewhere. However, there is an offset from a 212,000 decrease in professional and business services that suggests that job cuts will slow in that sector. Government job separations are up 30,000 with 10,000 at the federal level and 20,000 in state and local government.
Total quits a subset of separations is up 11,000 in December to 3.204 million. Low levels of quits point to much less churn in the labor market, but there are pockets of activity under the total. Quits in private industries are down 5,000 in December on widespread small moves up or down by industry. However, there is a large increase of 11,000 for trade, transportation, and utilities that could be workers jumping companies for better opportunities, and a decline of 151,000 where layoffs have created an incentive for workers to stay at their current jobs.
Layoffs and discharges another subset of separations is up 61,000 to 1.762 million in December. Layoffs are up 70,000 in the private sector with the largest increase of 88,000 in trade, transportation, and utilities. Government job separations are down 9,000 with 1,000 at the federal level and 8,000 in state and local government.
Market Consensus Before Announcement
Job openings seen up/down at 7.245 million in December after a lower than expected 7.15 million in November.
Definition
The Labor Department's JOLTS report tracks monthly change in job openings and offers rates on hiring and quits. The reporting period lags other employment data including the employment situation report. The word JOLTS stands for Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey.
Description
Although lagging the release timing of the employment situation report by a month, JOLTS provides additional information on the labor market. The payroll survey in the employment situation report provides numbers on net job changes. JOLTS breaks down labor market data into pre-net changes such as job openings, hires, and separations.
