Job openings in the United States rose by 232,000 to reach 7.74 million in January 2025, surpassing the revised December figure of 7.51 million and exceeding market expectations of 7.63 million.
US job openings beat forecasts
The increase was driven by notable gains in several sectors, including retail trade (+143,000), finance and insurance (+77,000), and healthcare and social assistance (+58,000). On the other hand, job openings in professional and business services saw a decline of 122,000.
Regionally, job openings expanded across the country, with the largest increases observed in the West (+90,000) and the Northeast (+82,000). The steady rise in job openings indicates ongoing labor market strength, despite economic uncertainties. In addition, hires climbed by 19,000, reaching 5.39 million, while total separations also rose by 170,000 to 5.25 million, reflecting a dynamic labor market with robust job turnover.
Job quits surged
Meanwhile, the number of job quits surged to 3.266 million in January 2025, the highest level since July 2024, up from a revised 3.095 million in December. The quits rate, which measures voluntary departures as a percentage of total employment, increased to 2.1% from 1.9% the previous month. The rise in quits was particularly notable in the construction sector (+53,000) and mining and logging (+6,000), signaling workers’ confidence in the labor market and their willingness to pursue better opportunities.
Regional data
Regionally, job quits were widespread, with the largest increases in the Midwest (+91,000) and the Northeast (+55,000). This uptick in quits suggests a competitive labor market, with workers actively seeking new roles amid rising demand for talent across various industries.
