The number of job openings stayed the same in March as employers reported 6.9 million openings once again, according to the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary (JOLTS) report.
The JOLTS report provides insights into the number of job openings, hires, quits, and layoffs, offering a detailed snapshot of labor demand in the U.S. The report falls a month behind the jobs report.
U.S. Employers Report 6.9 Million Job Openings in March
While the overall number of job openings stayed the same month-over-month, job openings spiked in some industries including:
- Finance and insurance (+98,000)
- Health care and social assistance (+87,000)
- Retail trade (+52,000)
- Construction (+23,000)
Industries reporting a decline in job openings in March included:
- Wholesale trade (-13,000)
- Professional and business services (-318,000)
- Federal government (-16,000)
Hiring Grows to Highest Number Since 2024
Like job openings, the number of hires in January was revised up for JaThe number of hires surged to 5.6 million in March, surpassing January’s peak of 5.3 million and marking the highest level since February 2024.
The industries that increased hiring in March included:
- Transportation, warehousing, and utilities (+108,000)
- Professional and business services (+165,000)
- Accommodation and food services (+124,000)
- Manufacturing (+28,000)
Only three subsectors reported decreases in hiring over the month, including:
- Arts, entertainment, and recreation (-2,000)
- Federal government (-7,000)
- State and local government (-8,000)
Total separations, which include quits, layoffs, discharges, and other separations grew by 356,000 in March. Among those separations were 99,000 more layoffs reported in the professional and business services sector over the previous month, and 37,000 more quits in the health care and social assistance subsector.
Quits, often regarded as a measure to watch in order to better understand employee confidence, grew by 125,000 in March. Meanwhile, layoffs spiked by 153,000—with most of that growth coming from the professional and business services sector.
Understanding March’s Labor Market
For Employers
With job openings holding steady but hiring accelerating, employers are moving from planning to execution. This environment rewards thoughtful hiring strategies — building teams where talent needs are most critical rather than reacting to excess demand. Our flexible staffing solutions help organizations scale effectively, manage costs, and secure the right talent to support both immediate priorities and long-term growth.
For Job Seekers
Increased hiring activity means opportunity, even as overall openings remain unchanged. Employers are actively filling roles, making this an ideal time for candidates who are prepared and aligned with their goals. Job seekers can stand out by focusing on skill alignment, adaptability, and career direction. Our recruiters provide personalized guidance to help you identify roles where momentum is strongest and move forward with confidence.
Why Roth Staffing
As labor market signals evolve, success depends on responsiveness and insight. Roth Staffing combines real-time labor market intelligence with people-first recruiting expertise to help employers hire with confidence and candidates navigate a dynamic job landscape. No matter how the data shifts, we’re here to help you move forward strategically.
Connect with us to see how Roth Staffing can support your goals in today’s labor market.
Source: BLS
