US job openings, hires little changed in October

HOUSTON - The US Department of Labor announced Wednesday that the numbers of job openings and hires were little changed in October in the country.

On the last business day of October, the number and rate of job openings were little changed at 6.7 million and 4.5 percent, respectively. The number of job openings in October decreased over the year to 7.1 million, reflecting the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the labor market. Job openings decreased in a number of industries with the largest decreases in retail trade, accommodation and food services, and finance and insurance.

The number and rate of hires in October were little changed at 5.8 million and 4.1 percent, respectively. The number of hires in October was little changed over the year. Hires increased in a number of industries over the year, with the largest increases in transportation, warehousing, and utilities and in durable goods manufacturing.

Over the month, the number of total separations increased to 5.1 million and the total separations rate was little changed at 3.6 percent. Within separations, the quits rate was unchanged at 2.2 percent while the layoffs and discharges rate increased to 1.2 percent.

Over the 12 months ending in October, hires totaled 70.4 million and separations totaled 76.1 million, yielding a net employment loss of 5.7 million. These totals include workers who may have been hired and separated more than once during the year.