The US Bureau of Labor Statistics says the March 2017 job openings rate for total nonfarm was 3.8 percent, and the hires rate was 3.6 percent. Job openings rates in finance and insurance; professional and business services; health care and social assistance; and accommodation and food services were higher than the overall rate. Rates were lower in mining and logging; construction; durable and nondurable goods manufacturing; wholesale and retail trade; transportation, warehousing, and utilities; information; real estate and rental leasing; educational services; arts, entertainment, and recreation; and federal, and state and local government.
Hires rates were higher than the total nonfarm rate in mining and logging; construction; retail trade; professional and business services; arts, entertainment, and recreation; and accommodation and food services. Hires rates were lower in durable and nondurable goods manufacturing; wholesale and retail trade; transportation, warehousing, and utilities; information; finance and insurance; real estate and rental leasing; educational services; other services; and federal and state and local government.
Industries with high job openings rates and high hires rates need more workers, and hiring is strong. In March 2017, industries in this category included professional and business services and accommodation and food services.
Industries with low job openings rates and low hires rates have few job openings and are hiring few workers. In March 2017, industries in this group included federal and state and local government, educational services, and information.
The data is preliminary, from the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey and are seasonally adjusted.
