Tennessee reported 183,000 job openings in June 2025, up from 165,000 in May, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Regional Commissioner Victoria G. Lee stated that the job openings rate for Tennessee was 5.1 percent in June, compared to 4.6 percent the previous month. The national job openings rate was slightly lower at 4.4 percent in June and 4.6 percent in May.
The state’s ratio of unemployed persons per job opening stood at 0.7 in June. Across the country, this measure varied: 25 states and the District of Columbia had ratios below the national average of 0.9, while 18 states were above and seven matched the national figure.
In terms of hiring activity, Tennessee recorded 130,000 hires and 122,000 separations during June, compared to May’s figures of 119,000 hires and 109,000 separations. Over the past year ending in June, monthly averages were 128,000 hires and 132,000 separations.
Of those separating from employment in June, there were 71,000 quits and 44,000 layoffs or discharges—an increase from May’s numbers of 70,000 quits and 32,000 layoffs or discharges. During the last year, monthly quits averaged about 82,000 while layoffs and discharges averaged around 43,000.
“All data in this release are seasonally adjusted.”
“Regional Commissioner Victoria G. Lee noted that the job openings rate in Tennessee was 5.1 percent in June and 4.6 percent in the previous month.”
“The ratio of unemployed persons per job opening in Tennessee was 0.7 in June.”
“In June, Tennessee had 130,000 hires and 122,000 separations…”
“Among the June separations in Tennessee, 71,000 were quits and 44,000 were layoffs and discharges…”
State-level estimates for July will be released on September 17 at https://www.bls.gov/news.release/jltst.htm.
This information comes from the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), which provides insight into labor demand and workforce movement by combining survey data with employment statistics such as those from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) and Current Employment Statistics (CES). More details about JOLTS methodology can be found at https://www.bls.gov/jlt/methodology-improvements.htm.
Definitions used by JOLTS clarify that a position is considered open if it meets specific criteria on the last business day of each reference month; hires include all payroll additions during that month; separations are categorized as quits or involuntary terminations such as layoffs or discharges.
Further technical information is available through BLS resources for those interested.