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One-Sentence Summary:
The October 2025 state-level labor market data shows modest changes in job openings, hires, and separations across most states, with Alaska, Wyoming, and Montana seeing the most significant increases in job openings rates, while national rates remained largely unchanged despite complications from a federal government shutdown.
Key Takeaways:
- National job openings rate remained unchanged at 4.6 percent in October 2025, with hires rate at 3.2 percent and total separations rate at 3.2 percent
- Alaska, Wyoming, and Montana experienced the largest increases in job openings rates, rising 3.6, 2.7, and 1.8 percentage points respectively
- Total separations rates decreased in eight states, with Alaska and Wyoming seeing the largest declines at 2.3 and 1.7 percentage points
- Quits rates decreased in seven states and the District of Columbia, suggesting workers are becoming more cautious about leaving current positions
- A federal government shutdown in September disrupted data collection, resulting in partial data for that month and temporary suspension of normal alignment methodology
- The BLS will transition state JOLTS reports from monthly to annual publication after December 2025, with the first annual release scheduled for July 2026
- Pennsylvania saw significant decreases in hiring, losing 48,000 hires in October, while North Carolina lost 45,000 quits and 39,000 total separations
- Layoffs and discharges increased in New Jersey and South Carolina by 20,000 each, while Colorado reduced layoffs by 25,000
Article Summary:
The Bureau of Labor Statistics released state-level Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey data for October 2025, revealing a labor market characterized by stability at the national level but notable variations across individual states. The report covers job openings, hires, total separations (including quits and layoffs/discharges) for all 50 states and the District of Columbia in the nonfarm sector.
At the national level, job openings, hires, and total separations rates showed little or no change in October. The job openings rate remained at 4.6 percent, while the hires rate held steady at 3.2 percent, and the total separations rate was 3.2 percent. However, this overall stability masked considerable state-level variation.
Job openings rates increased in only three states during October. Alaska experienced the largest increase at 3.6 percentage points, followed by Wyoming with a 2.7-point increase and Montana with a 1.8-point increase. In terms of absolute numbers, Alaska added 14,000 job openings, Montana added 11,000, and both Idaho and Wyoming each added 9,000. New York was the only state to see a significant decrease in job openings, losing 40,000 positions. The remaining 47 states and the District of Columbia showed little change.
The hiring picture reflected similar patterns. Hires rates increased in three states: Alaska (up 4.4 percentage points), Wyoming (up 1.7 points), and Montana (up 1.2 points). Pennsylvania was the only state with a declining hires rate, down 0.7 percentage point. In absolute terms, Alaska added 15,000 hires, Montana added 6,000, and Wyoming added 5,000, while Pennsylvania lost 48,000 hires.
Total separations, which include quits, layoffs, and other separations from employment, decreased in eight states and increased in two states. Alaska saw the largest decrease in separations rates at 2.3 percentage points, followed by Wyoming with a 1.7-point decrease. Colorado and Iowa each experienced 1.1-point decreases. Hawaii and Minnesota were the only states with increases, up 1.1 points and 0.6 point respectively. North Carolina, Virginia, and Colorado led declines in absolute separation numbers, each losing between 33,000 and 39,000 separations.
When examining quits specifically — voluntary separations initiated by employees — the data shows workers becoming somewhat less willing to leave their jobs. Quits rates decreased in seven states and the District of Columbia, with Alaska (down 1.7 percentage points) and Wyoming (down 1.3 points) leading the declines. Maryland and North Carolina each saw 0.9-point decreases. Minnesota was the only state with an increase in quits rate, up 0.5 point. In absolute terms, North Carolina lost 45,000 quits, Virginia lost 31,000, and Maryland lost 24,000.
Layoffs and discharges, which represent employer-initiated separations, increased in four states and decreased in three. South Carolina saw the largest rate increase at 0.8 percentage point, followed by New Mexico at 0.6 point and New Jersey at 0.5 point. Colorado and Iowa each decreased by 0.8 point, while Connecticut fell 0.6 point. New Jersey and South Carolina each added 20,000 layoffs and discharges, while Michigan added 17,000. Colorado, Iowa, and Connecticut reduced layoffs by 25,000, 13,000, and 10,000 respectively.
The release was affected by a federal government shutdown that occurred in September. The Bureau of Labor Statistics had to cancel publication of the September 2025 report due to a lapse in appropriations. September data included in this release represents partial information from businesses that reported electronically during the shutdown combined with data collected in November after the shutdown ended. October data was collected in November as originally scheduled. The BLS temporarily suspended its monthly alignment methodology for the October preliminary estimates, which will resume when final October estimates are published.
Looking ahead, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced a significant change to the state JOLTS program. The monthly state-level release will transition to an annual publication after December 2025 data is released in February 2026. Beginning in July 2026, the BLS will publish annual reports containing monthly estimates for the entire prior calendar year, incorporating benchmark revisions to national JOLTS estimates, updated Current Employment Statistics employment data, and updated Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages information.
The state-level data reveals considerable geographic variation in labor market dynamics. Western states, particularly Alaska, Wyoming, and Montana, showed the most volatility in October, with substantial increases in both job openings and hires but also significant decreases in separations. This pattern suggests these states may be experiencing stronger labor demand or seasonal factors unique to their economies. Meanwhile, larger states like California, Texas, and New York generally showed more modest month-to-month changes, reflecting their more diversified economic bases.
The October data suggests a labor market in which employer demand for workers remains relatively stable nationally, but with pockets of strength and weakness varying considerably by geography. The modest national hiring rate of 3.2 percent and job openings rate of 4.6 percent indicate employers continue to have positions available but may be more selective in their hiring compared to the tighter labor markets seen in recent years. Similarly, the declining quits rates in multiple states suggest workers may be becoming more cautious about leaving their current positions, potentially reflecting concerns about economic uncertainty or fewer perceived opportunities elsewhere.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “State Job Openings and Labor Turnover — October 2025.” News Release USDL-25-1634, December 30, 2025. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/jltst.pdf
Important Quotations:
- “Job openings rates increased in 3 states in October, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the month, hires rates increased in 3 states and decreased in 1 state.”
- “Publication of the September 2025 State Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey news release was canceled due to a lapse in appropriations.”
- “The State Job Openings and Labor Turnover news release will move from a monthly news release to an annual news release. The last monthly news release will occur with the December 2025 data published in February 2026.”
- “Nationally, the job openings, hires, and total separations rates showed little or no change in October.”
- “BLS temporarily suspended use of the monthly alignment methodology for October 2025 preliminary estimates; use of this methodology will resume with the publication of October 2025 final estimates.”