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 was 3.8 percent in July and 3.7 percent in June. Nationally, the job openings rate stood at 4.3 percent in July and 4.4 percent in June.
Regional Commissioner Chris Rosenlund stated, “The job openings rate in Hawaii was 3.8 percent in July and 3.7 percent in the previous month.”
The ratio of unemployed persons per job opening in Hawaii was 0.7 for July, which is lower than the national measure of one unemployed person per job opening. In comparison, thirty-two states and the District of Columbia had ratios below the national average, thirteen states had higher ratios, and five states matched the national figure.
In terms of hiring activity, Hawaii recorded both hires and separations at 21,000 each during July; this compared to June’s figures of 21,000 hires and 23,000 separations. Over the past year ending in July, monthly averages were about 22,000 hires and 21,000 separations.
Of those separating from employment in July within Hawaii, there were approximately 13,000 quits and around 6,000 layoffs or discharges—slightly down from June’s numbers of roughly 14,000 quits and about 8,000 layoffs or discharges. During the last twelve months on record through July, monthly averages for quits ranged between nine thousand to seventeen thousand while layoffs or discharges averaged seven thousand per month.
The next set of state-level Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) estimates is scheduled for release on October 22.
The JOLTS program provides labor demand and turnover information using model-based state estimates that incorporate data from several sources including JOLTS samples as well as other employment statistics programs such as QCEW and CES.
Definitions provided by BLS clarify that a job opening must meet three conditions to be counted: it must exist on the last business day of the reference month; it must be open only if all criteria are met; hires represent all payroll additions during that month; separations include all payroll departures categorized as quits or involuntary terminations like layoffs or discharges.
A ratio below one unemployed person per job opening signals a tighter labor market where available jobs outnumber people seeking work; higher ratios indicate more competition among unemployed individuals for each open position.
Additional details about methodology can be found via resources provided by BLS upon request for those with sensory impairments.
