Kentucky reported 105,000 job openings in June 2025, down from 117,000 in May, according to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The job openings rate for the state was 4.8 percent in June, compared to 5.4 percent the previous month. Nationally, the job openings rate stood at 4.4 percent in June and 4.6 percent in May.
Regional Commissioner Victoria G. Lee stated, “The job openings rate in Kentucky was 4.8 percent in June and 5.4 percent in the previous month.”
The ratio of unemployed persons per job opening in Kentucky was reported at 1.0 for June. Across the country, 25 states and the District of Columbia had ratios lower than the national average of 0.9 unemployed persons per job opening; 18 states had higher ratios and seven states matched the national figure.
In terms of hiring activity, Kentucky saw 75,000 hires and 69,000 separations during June, compared to May’s figures of 81,000 hires and 72,000 separations. Over the past year ending in June, monthly averages were recorded at 76,000 hires and 72,000 separations.
Of those who left their jobs in Kentucky during June, there were 39,000 quits and 26,000 layoffs or discharges—slightly fewer than May’s totals of 42,000 quits and a similar number for layoffs and discharges. Over the last twelve months, quits have averaged about 43,000 per month while layoffs and discharges have averaged around 24,000 monthly.
State-level estimates from this survey are model-based and incorporate information from several sources including JOLTS sample data as well as employment statistics programs such as QCEW and CES.
The next release of state Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey estimates is scheduled for September 17, 2025.
“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 are defined as positions open on the last business day of each reference month that meet specific criteria regarding availability to start work immediately.
“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 include all additions to payroll within a given month while separations encompass all types leaving payroll—including quits or layoffs—during that period.
“Hires include all additions to the payroll during the entire reference month.”
“Separations include all separations from the payroll during the entire reference month and are reported by type of separation: quits, layoffs and discharges, and other separations.”
Levels related to other types of separations make up only a small portion overall; thus these figures are not published with each state estimate release.
Further definitions along with exclusions can be found through resources like State Job Openings and Labor Turnover Technical Note.
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