Tennessee reported 183,000 job openings in June 2025, up from 165,000 in May, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The job openings rate for the state rose to 5.1 percent in June from 4.6 percent the previous month. Nationally, the job openings rate was 4.4 percent in June and 4.6 percent in May.
Regional Commissioner Victoria G. Lee stated, “The job openings rate in Tennessee was 5.1 percent in June and 4.6 percent in the previous month.”
The ratio of unemployed persons per job opening in Tennessee stood at 0.7 for June, lower than the national ratio of 0.9 for that month. In total, twenty-five states and the District of Columbia had ratios below the national average; eighteen states had higher ratios and seven matched it.
Hiring activity also increased with Tennessee recording 130,000 hires and 122,000 separations during June, compared to May’s figures of 119,000 hires and 109,000 separations. Over the past year ending in June, monthly averages were about 128,000 hires and 132,000 separations.
Of those who left their jobs in Tennessee during June, there were approximately 71,000 quits and about 44,000 layoffs or discharges—up from May’s numbers of roughly 70,000 quits and about 32,000 layoffs or discharges over that period. For the past twelve months through June, monthly quits averaged around 82,000 while layoffs and discharges averaged near 43,000.
The Bureau announced that estimates for July will be released on September 17 at ten o’clock Eastern Time.
“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,” according to information provided by BLS officials.
State estimates produced by JOLTS are model-based using a combination of survey data as well as employment statistics programs such as QCEW (Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages) and CES (Current Employment Statistics).
Definitions used include: Job openings refer to all positions open on the last business day of each reference month; Hires cover all additions to payrolls within that month; Separations count all departures from payrolls—categorized as quits or involuntary losses such as layoffs or discharges.
A ratio below one unemployed person per job opening signals a tight labor market where employers have more open positions than available workers seeking jobs; higher ratios suggest greater competition among job seekers for each available position.
Further details on methodology can be found through BLS technical notes on state-level JOLTS data.
