Vermont reported 15,000 job openings in July 2025, a decrease from the 16,000 openings recorded in June, according to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Acting Regional Commissioner Mark J. Maggi stated that “the job openings rate in Vermont was 4.6 percent in July and 4.8 percent in the previous month.” Nationally, the job openings rate was slightly lower at 4.3 percent in July compared to 4.4 percent in June.
The state’s ratio of unemployed persons per job opening stood at 0.6 for July. In comparison, across the country, 32 states and the District of Columbia had ratios below the national measure of 1.0 unemployed persons per job opening; 13 states had higher ratios and five states matched the national average.
Hiring activity in Vermont remained stable with 11,000 hires both in July and June. Separations were also steady at 11,000 in July but down from 12,000 separations reported a month earlier. Over the past year ending in July, Vermont has averaged about 12,000 hires and 11,000 separations per month.
Regarding types of separations for July, there were approximately 6,000 quits and 4,000 layoffs or discharges—down from June figures where quits totaled around 7,000 and layoffs or discharges reached about 5,000. For the past year on average each month saw about 6,000 quits (ranging between 4,000 and 8,000) and roughly 4,000 layoffs or discharges (ranging between 3,000 and 5,000).
The Bureau’s Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) compiles this information using model-based estimates that incorporate multiple employment data sources such as JOLTS sample data itself along with Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) as well as Current Employment Statistics (CES). The next release covering August is scheduled for October.
Definitions provided by JOLTS clarify that a position is counted as a job opening only if it is open on the last business day of the reference month under certain conditions; hires refer to all payroll additions during that period; while separations account for those leaving payroll—broken down into quits or involuntary departures like layoffs or discharges.
For further details about methodology or technical notes related to these statistics—including definitions and exclusions—the public can consult resources provided by BLS or contact them directly for accessible formats.
