October 11, 2007 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Job openings rate in August 2007

In August 2007, the job openings rate was unchanged from the previous month at 2.9 percent.

[Chart data—TXT]

The rate has been 2.9 percent for 6 of the past 7 months. Job openings include only those jobs still open on the last business day of the month.

The job openings rate did not change significantly in August in any industry. The job openings rate was highest in August in the accommodation and food services industry (4.1 percent). 

Regionally, the job openings rate declined in the Northeast and West. In August, the rate was 3.5 percent in the South and West, 3.2 percent in the Midwest, and 2.6 percent in the Northeast.

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.

These data come from the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. The above data are seasonally adjusted. Data for August 2007 are preliminary and subject to revision. Find additional information in "Job Openings and Labor Turnover: August 2007" (PDF) (TXT), USDL 07-1547.