Hawaii reported 26,000 job openings in July 2025, an increase from 25,000 in June, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The job openings rate for Hawaii stood at 3.8 percent in July, up slightly from 3.7 percent the previous month. Regional Commissioner Chris Rosenlund stated that the national job openings rate was higher at 4.3 percent in July and 4.4 percent in June.
The ratio of unemployed persons per job opening in Hawaii was measured at 0.7 for July. Across the country, 32 states and the District of Columbia had ratios lower than the national average of 1.0 unemployed persons per job opening; thirteen states had higher ratios, while five matched the national figure.
In terms of labor movement, Hawaii recorded both hires and separations at 21,000 each for July. This compared to June’s figures where there were also 21,000 hires but a higher number of separations at 23,000. Over the year ending in July, monthly averages were reported as 22,000 hires and 21,000 separations.
Of those separating from employment in Hawaii during July, quits accounted for 13,000 while layoffs and discharges totaled 6,000. In comparison, June saw more quits (14,000) and more layoffs/discharges (8,000). The annual averages for quits and layoffs/discharges were noted as 13,000 and 7,000 respectively.
The next set of state-level Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey estimates is scheduled for release on October 22, 2025.
Chris Rosenlund commented on these trends: “The job openings rate in Hawaii was 3.8 percent in July and 3.7 percent in the previous month.”
This data comes from the Bureau’s Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), which measures labor demand and turnover using model-based state estimates derived from JOLTS samples along with data from other sources such as the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) and Current Employment Statistics (CES).
Definitions provided by JOLTS clarify that a position is counted as a job opening if it meets specific criteria regarding availability and recruitment efforts by employers on the last business day of each reference month. The number of unemployed persons per job opening offers insight into labor market tightness; lower ratios indicate more available jobs relative to people seeking work.
Hires are defined as all additions to payroll within a given month while separations encompass all types leaving payroll—categorized further into quits or involuntary departures like layoffs or discharges.
Further details about these statistics can be found through technical notes provided by JOLTS or by contacting their office directly.
