Mississippi reported 64,000 job openings in June 2025, a decrease from 68,000 openings in May, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Regional Commissioner Victoria G. Lee stated that the job openings rate in Mississippi was 5.1 percent in June, down from 5.4 percent the previous month. Nationally, the job openings rate stood at 4.4 percent in June and 4.6 percent in May.
The ratio of unemployed persons per job opening in Mississippi was 0.8 for June. In comparison, the national measure was 0.9 unemployed persons per job opening during the same period. Across the country, 25 states and the District of Columbia had ratios lower than the national figure; 18 states had higher ratios, while seven matched it.
Mississippi recorded 41,000 hires and 40,000 separations in June, compared to 42,000 hires and 39,000 separations in May. Over the past year ending in June, monthly averages were 44,000 hires and 43,000 separations.
Of those separating from jobs in Mississippi during June, there were 27,000 quits and 11,000 layoffs or discharges—slightly up from May’s figures of 26,000 quits and 10,000 layoffs or discharges. The average number of monthly quits over the year was 28,000 (ranging between 24,000 and 32,000), while layoffs and discharges averaged about 13,000 per month (ranging between 10,000 and 18,000).
Statistics are drawn from the Bureau’s Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), which provides data on labor demand and turnover using model-based estimates that incorporate several employment surveys.
State-level JOLTS estimates for July are scheduled for release on September 17.
“This news release presents statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). The JOLTS program provides information on labor demand and turnover. The state estimates produced by JOLTS are model-based, incorporating JOLTS sample, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), and Current Employment Statistics (CES) estimates. For more information see the JOLTS State Estimates Methodology.”
“Job Openings. Job openings include all positions that are open on the last business day of the reference month. A job is open only if it meets all three of these conditions:”
“The number of unemployed persons per job opening is a ratio of the level of unemployed persons and the level of job openings. The number of unemployed persons at the national level is an estimate from the Current Population Survey (CPS), while state-level unemployment estimates are modeled by the Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program. A ratio of 1.0 means there is a job available for every unemployed person. Lower ratios signal tighter labor markets, where firms have more job openings than there are unemployed persons available to work. Higher ratios indicate there are more unemployed persons competing for each job opening.”
“Hires. Hires include all additions to the payroll during the entire reference month.”
“Separations. Separations include all separations from the payroll during the entire reference month and is reported by type of separation: quits, layoffs and discharges, and other separations.”
“Levels and rates of other separations represent a small portion of total separations and are not published with the release of state estimates.”
“Complete definitions, including exclusions, and additional information about the State JOLTS data presented in this release are available in the State Job Openings and Labor Turnover Technical Note.”
“Information in this release will be made available to individuals with sensory impairments upon request. Voice phone: 202-691-5200; Telecommunications Relay Service: 7-1-1.”