About PlainLabor
PlainLabor makes U.S. labor market data accessible. We transform complex Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) JOLTS data into clear, browsable pages organized by state and industry.
What is JOLTS?
The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) is published monthly by the BLS. It measures:
- Job openings — positions available to be filled
- Hires — additions to payroll during the month
- Quits — voluntary separations initiated by employees
- Layoffs and discharges — involuntary separations initiated by employers
- Total separations — all separations including quits, layoffs, and other
JOLTS is a key economic indicator used by the Federal Reserve, policymakers, and economists to assess labor market health and tightness.
Our Data
Data comes directly from the BLS public API. We update our database monthly when new JOLTS data is released (typically the first Tuesday of each month, covering data from two months prior).
Our Network
PlainLabor is part of a network of public data portals:
- WageDex — Salary data by occupation
- PlainRent — Fair market rents by county
- PlainCost — Cost of living data
- PlainCompare — Compare cities side by side