Kentucky reported 105,000 job openings in June 2025, a decrease from the 117,000 openings recorded in May, according to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Regional Commissioner Victoria G. Lee stated that “the job openings rate in Kentucky was 4.8 percent in June and 5.4 percent in the previous month.” Nationally, the job openings rate stood at 4.4 percent in June and 4.6 percent in May.
The ratio of unemployed persons per job opening in Kentucky was 1.0 for June. Across the country, 25 states and the District of Columbia had ratios lower than the national figure of 0.9 unemployed persons per job opening; 18 states had higher ratios, while seven states matched the national measure.
In June, there were 75,000 hires and 69,000 separations in Kentucky, compared to May’s figures of 81,000 hires and 72,000 separations. Over the past year ending in June, monthly averages were reported at 76,000 hires and 72,000 separations.
Of those separating from employment in Kentucky during June, quits totaled 39,000 while layoffs and discharges accounted for another 26,000. In May, quits were higher at 42,000 with layoffs and discharges slightly lower at 25,000. The average number of monthly quits over the last year was reported as 43,000—ranging between a low of 36,000 and a high of 50,000—while layoffs and discharges averaged about 24,000 per month within a range from 19,000 to 30,000.
The next release of state-level Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) estimates is scheduled for September 17, 2025.
This report is based on statistics from the Bureau’s JOLTS program which tracks labor demand and turnover using model-based state estimates derived from multiple sources including JOLTS sample data as well as Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) and Current Employment Statistics (CES) estimates.
Job openings are defined as positions open on the last business day of each reference month that meet specific criteria set by BLS guidelines. The ratio measuring unemployed persons per job opening uses unemployment estimates modeled by both national surveys such as the Current Population Survey (CPS) and state-level programs like Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS). A ratio of one indicates an equal number of jobs available for every unemployed person; lower ratios suggest tighter labor markets while higher ratios indicate more competition among job seekers.
Hires represent all additions to payroll during a given month while separations include all departures from payroll categorized into quits or involuntary terminations such as layoffs or discharges.
Additional definitions and methodological details are available through BLS technical notes on State JOLTS data.
