Washington reported 133,000 job openings in August 2025, a decrease from 139,000 in July, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The job openings rate for Washington was 3.5 percent in August, slightly down from 3.6 percent the previous month. Chris Rosenlund, Regional Commissioner, stated that the national job openings rate remained at 4.3 percent in August.
The ratio of unemployed persons per job opening in Washington stood at 1.4 during August. Across the United States, 34 states and the District of Columbia had lower ratios than the national measure of 1.0 unemployed persons per job opening; 13 states had higher ratios and three states matched the national average.
In terms of hiring activity, Washington saw 102,000 hires and 99,000 separations in August compared to July’s figures of 101,000 hires and 101,000 separations. Over the past year ending in August, monthly averages were recorded at 111,000 hires and 104,000 separations.
For separations specifically within August, there were 58,000 quits and 31,000 layoffs or discharges reported in Washington—down from July’s numbers of 64,000 quits but unchanged for layoffs and discharges at 31,000. Over the last twelve months quits averaged about 62,000 each month while layoffs and discharges averaged around 36,000.
The statistics are drawn from the Bureau’s Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), which provides data on labor demand and turnover through model-based state estimates that use multiple sources including JOLTS samples as well as employment census data.
“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 count positions available on the last business day of each reference month if certain criteria are met regarding availability to start work within thirty days.
The number of unemployed persons per job opening is calculated using both national survey data and state-level models; a ratio below one indicates more jobs than available workers while a higher ratio signals increased competition among job seekers.
Hires reflect all payroll additions throughout a given month; separations account for all departures from payroll categorized as quits or layoffs/discharges with other types comprising only a small share not detailed here.
Definitions used for these measures follow technical notes published alongside state-level JOLTS releases.
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