Alabama reported 115,000 job openings in June 2025, a decrease from 123,000 in May, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The job openings rate in the state fell to 4.9 percent from 5.3 percent the previous month. Nationally, the job openings rate was 4.4 percent in June and 4.6 percent in May.
Regional Commissioner Victoria G. Lee noted these changes as part of the monthly release of labor market data for Alabama.
The ratio of unemployed persons per job opening in Alabama was 0.7 in June, indicating there were fewer unemployed people than available jobs in the state during that month. Across the country, this measure varied: “Nationwide, 25 states and the District of Columbia had ratios in June that were lower than the national measure of 0.9 unemployed persons per job opening; 18 states had ratios that were higher than the national ratio, and 7 states had ratios equal to the national measure.”
In terms of hiring activity, Alabama recorded 73,000 hires and 66,000 separations for June—matching hires from May but with fewer separations compared to May’s total of 77,000 separations. Over the past year ending in June, monthly averages stood at 77,000 hires and 73,000 separations.
Looking more closely at reasons for separation from employment during June: “Among the June separations in Alabama, 40,000 were quits and 21,000 were layoffs and discharges, compared to 54,000 quits and 19,000 layoffs and discharges in May.” The average number of monthly quits over the year was about 48,000; layoffs and discharges averaged around 22,000 each month.
The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), which provides these estimates on labor demand and turnover for states including Alabama by combining several sources such as JOLTS sample data with information from other employment surveys like QCEW and CES programs.
State Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey estimates for July are scheduled for release on September 17.
The definitions used by JOLTS clarify what constitutes a job opening or separation: “Job openings include all positions that are open on the last business day of the reference month… Hires include all additions to payroll during the entire reference month… Separations include all separations from payroll during that time period.” Other details on methodology can be found through BLS technical notes or upon request via accessible formats.
