Openings
588K
Dec 2025
California Labor Market
JOLTS data - latest: Dec 2025
588K
Job Openings
556K
Hires
278K
Quits
232K
Layoffs
California Labor Market Overview
As of Dec 2025, California reported 588K job openings and 556K hires, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics JOLTS survey. Employers filled roughly 95% of available positions during this period, pointing to a market where posted positions are getting filled at a healthy pace.
Voluntary quits reached 278K (1.5% rate). That's more than the 232K layoffs and discharges reported, a ratio that tends to track with employee confidence rather than employer-driven cuts.
Compared to a year ago, job openings in California declined by 11.7%, a notable contraction that may reflect cooling demand or industry shifts.
California job openings over time
Monthly job openings in California from the BLS JOLTS survey, in thousands. The current openings rate is 3.2%.
Hires
556K
Dec 2025
Quits rate
1.5%
Voluntary turnover
Layoffs rate
—
Involuntary turnover
Monthly Trends
Openings Hires
Jan 2019 Dec 2025
How California Compares
California's JOLTS metrics ranked against all 51 states and DC, Dec 2025.
Other State Labor Markets
Frequently Asked Questions
How many job openings are there in California? ▼
California had 588K job openings as of Dec 2025, based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics' JOLTS program.
How many people were hired in California recently? ▼
California recorded 556K hires in Dec 2025, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics JOLTS survey data. Hires represent all additions to the payroll during the reference month.
What is the quits rate in California? ▼
278K workers voluntarily quit their jobs in California during Dec 2025. The quits rate was 1.5%. A higher quits rate generally indicates worker confidence, employees leave when they believe better opportunities are available.
How many layoffs happened in California? ▼
There were 232K layoffs and discharges in California during Dec 2025. The count covers every employer-initiated separation in the period, both permanent layoffs and for-cause discharges.
What are total separations in California? ▼
Total separations in California reached 531K in Dec 2025. The figure covers every way a worker can leave a job in JOLTS accounting, quits, layoffs, discharges, retirements, and intra-firm transfers alike.
Understanding Labor Data
Data source
Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS).
PlainLabor is not affiliated with the BLS or any government agency.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, JOLTS Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, state-level data · 2025-12 JOLTS measures job openings, hires, and total separations (quits + layoffs + other) by state. Data is monthly with about a 1-month publication lag.