The Current Job Market at a Glance
The number of open jobs in the United States changes month to month based on hiring, layoffs, and business growth. As of late 2024, there are roughly 8 to 9 million job openings across all industries, though this figure shifts with economic conditions. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes the actual count each month in a report called the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, or JOLTS, which tracks positions that employers are actively trying to fill.
The number of available jobs matters to you because it affects your chances of finding work in your field, how quickly employers respond to applications, and what wages they offer. When there are many more jobs than workers looking for them, employers compete harder for your skills. When the opposite is true, you may face longer waits and more competition from other applicants.
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes the official count of open jobs each month in the JOLTS report, which you can read for free on their website.
- Job openings vary widely by industry and region, so the national number tells you less than looking at your specific field and location.
- The ratio of job seekers to available positions affects how quickly you might hear back from employers and what starting salary they offer.
- Job openings are not the same as jobs that exist; they are positions employers are actively hiring for right now.
Where to Find the Official Job Count
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes job opening data on their website at bls.gov. The JOLTS report comes out on the first Friday of each month and covers the previous month's data. You can read the full report as a PDF or read the summary on their homepage without paying anything.
The report breaks down job openings by industry—healthcare, construction, retail, professional services, and others—so you can see where employers are hiring most. It also shows openings by region, though not always down to your specific city. The data lags by about a month, meaning the report released in February shows January's numbers, not current openings.
How Job Openings Vary by Industry and Region
Healthcare consistently has the most open positions, followed by construction, retail, and hospitality. Professional services, manufacturing, and transportation also show steady demand. The industries with the fewest openings tend to be government, mining, and utilities. However, the number of openings in any field can shift quickly if a major employer in your area closes or expands.
Regional variation is significant. Some states and cities have far more job openings than others, depending on whether major employers are based there and whether the local economy is growing. A job search in a tech hub like Seattle or Austin may show very different numbers than a search in a rural area. If you are considering moving for work, checking JOLTS data by region can help you understand the job market in your destination.
The Difference Between Job Openings and Available Jobs
A job opening is a position an employer is actively trying to fill right now. An available job is any position that exists but may not be advertised yet, may be filled soon, or may not be actively recruiting. The JOLTS report counts openings, not all jobs that exist. This means the number in the report is lower than the total number of jobs in the country, but it is a better indicator of your actual chances of finding work quickly.
Many jobs are filled through referrals, internal promotions, or recruitment agencies before they ever appear on a public job board. This means the openings you see on job sites like Indeed or LinkedIn are only part of the picture. The JOLTS number gives you a sense of overall hiring momentum across the economy, but it does not capture every way people find work.
What the Job Opening Count Tells You About Your Job Search
When there are many more job openings than people looking for work, employers respond faster to applications and may offer higher starting wages to attract candidates. When the opposite is true, you may wait longer to hear back and face more competition. The ratio of job seekers to openings is sometimes called the labor market tightness, and it affects how long your search takes and what you can negotiate.
If you work in a field with very few openings relative to the number of people seeking work, you may need to expand your search geographically, consider related fields, or invest in training for a skill area with more demand. Conversely, if your field has many more openings than workers, you have more leverage to negotiate terms and can be more selective about which offers to pursue.
How to Use Job Data in Your Own Search
Start by checking the JOLTS report to see the overall trend—whether job openings are rising, falling, or stable. Then look at your specific industry and region. If your field shows strong hiring, you can expect faster responses and more choice. If it shows weak hiring, you may need to broaden your approach or prepare for a longer search.
Job boards like Indeed, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor also show you real-time openings in your area and field, though these sites do not capture every opening. Checking both the JOLTS data and job boards gives you a fuller picture. Industry associations and professional networks often know about openings before they are posted publicly, so connecting with people in your field can reveal opportunities the data does not show.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I find the JOLTS report?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes JOLTS on bls.gov. Search for "Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey" or go directly to the BLS homepage and look for the JOLTS link. The report is free and updated monthly on the first Friday of each month.
Does the job opening count include remote positions?
Yes, the JOLTS report includes all job openings employers are actively trying to fill, whether remote, in-office, or hybrid. The report does not break down openings by work location, so you cannot see how many remote positions are available from the JOLTS data alone. Job boards are better for filtering by remote work.
How old is the data in the JOLTS report?
The JOLTS report lags by about one month. The report released in February shows data from January. This means the numbers are recent but not real-time. For the most current openings, check job boards directly, but use JOLTS to understand the broader trend in your industry.
Can I use job opening data to decide whether to change careers?
Job opening data is one factor to consider, but not the only one. A field with many openings may still require training or credentials you do not have. Talk to people already working in the field, research typical starting wages, and understand the training path before deciding. JOLTS shows demand, but not whether the field is right for you.
What if there are very few openings in my field?
Few openings mean a longer search and more competition, but not that jobs do not exist. Many positions are filled through referrals and networks before they are posted. Reach out to people in your field, attend industry events, and consider contract or temporary work to build connections. You may also explore related fields where your skills transfer.