WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Mountain-Plains Information Office of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics today released Missouri Job Openings and Labor Turnover – November 2023. Assistant Commissioner for Regional Operations Michael Hirniak noted these Missouri highlights:
- Missouri had 173,000 job openings in November, compared to 176,000 job openings in October.
- The job openings rate was 5.5 percent in November for Missouri, a 0.1 percent decrease since October (+5.6 percent). Nationally, the job openings rate was 5.3 percent in both November and October. (See chart 1.)
- The ratio of unemployed persons per job opening in Missouri was 0.6, which was less than the national ratio of 0.7.
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Job openings rates decreased in four states and increased in two states on the last business day of November, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.
Hires rates decreased in five states and increased in one state. Total separations rates decreased in nine states and increased in three states.
Nationally, the job openings, hires, and total separations rates showed little or no change in November.
This release includes estimates of the number and rate of job openings, hires, total separations, quits, and layoffs and discharges for the total nonfarm sector and for all states and the District of Columbia.
Job Openings
In November, job openings rates decreased in four states, increased in 2 states, and were little changed in 44 states and the District of Columbia. The decreases in job openings rates occurred in Mississippi
(-1.3 percentage points), and in Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee (-0.6 point each). The increases
occurred in Illinois (+1.0 point) and Colorado (+0.7 point). Over the month, the national job openings
rate was unchanged. (See table 1.)
The number of job openings decreased in five states, increased in four states, and was little changed in 41 states and the District of Columbia in November. The largest decreases in the job openings level
occurred in Florida (-66,000), Georgia (-36,000), and Tennessee (-22,000). The largest increases
occurred in Texas (+67,000), Illinois (+65,000), and Colorado (+21,000). Nationally, the number of job
openings changed little.
Hires
In November, hires rates decreased in five states, increased in one state, and were little changed in 44 states and the District of Columbia. The largest decreases in the hires rate occurred in Montana
(-1.0 percentage point), as well as in Arizona and Oregon (-0.7 point each). The increase occurred in
Alaska (+0.9 point). The national hires rate changed little over the month.
The number of hires decreased in six states, increased in one state, and was little changed in 43 states and the District of Columbia in November. The largest decreases in the hires level occurred in California (-117,000), Arizona (-21,000), and Oregon (-16,000). The increase occurred in Alaska (+3,000).
Nationally, the number of hires decreased over the month (-363,000).
Total Separations
In November, total separations rates decreased in nine states, increased in three states, and were little
changed in 38 states and the District of Columbia. The largest decreases in total separations rates
occurred in Louisiana (-1.2 percentage points), as well as in Maine and New Jersey (-1.1 points each).
The increases occurred in South Dakota (+1.3 points), North Dakota (+1.2 points), and Washington
(+0.6 point). Over the month, the national total separations rate changed little.
The number of total separations decreased in 11 states, increased in four states, and was little changed in 35 states and the District of Columbia in November. The largest decreases in the total separations level occurred in Pennsylvania (-60,000), New Jersey (-47,000), and North Carolina (-45,000). The largest increases occurred in Washington (+21,000), as well as in Idaho and South Dakota (+6,000 each). Nationally, the number of total separations decreased over the month (-292,000).
Quits
In November, quits rates decreased in five states, increased in two states, and were little changed in 43 states and the District of Columbia. The largest decreases in quits rates occurred in North Carolina and
Tennessee (-0.9 percentage point each) and in Maryland (-0.5 point). The increases occurred in South
Dakota (+1.0 point) and Michigan (+0.4 point). Over the month, the national quits rate changed little.
The number of quits decreased in five states, increased in three states, and was little changed in 42 states and the District of Columbia in November. The largest decreases in the quits level occurred in North Carolina (-43,000), Tennessee (-28,000), and Georgia (-21,000). The increases occurred in Kansas (+7,000), Idaho (+6,000), and South Dakota (+5,000). Nationally, the number of quits edged down over the month.
Layoffs and Discharges
In November, layoffs and discharges rates decreased in seven states, increased in one state, and were little changed in 42 states and the District of Columbia. The largest decreases in layoffs and discharges rates occurred in Maine (-1.4 percentage points) and New Jersey (-1.1 points), as well as in New Hampshire and Pennsylvania (-0.7 point each). The increase occurred in Indiana (+0.4 point). Over the month, the national layoffs and discharges rate was unchanged.
The number of layoffs and discharges decreased in 10 states, increased in one state, and was little
changed in 39 states and the District of Columbia in November. The largest decreases in the layoffs and
discharges level occurred in New Jersey (-48,000), Pennsylvania (-45,000), and Louisiana (-10,000).
The increase occurred in Indiana (+13,000). Nationally, the number of layoffs and discharges was little
changed.
For more information, please see the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) interactive
charts at www.bls.gov/charts/state-job-openings-and-labor-turnover/state-job-openings-rates.htm#.