More Openings, Fewer Available WorkersSource: U.S. Chamber analysis of BLS data

U.S. Worker Availability RatioThe number of workers for each job opening in the United States Annual averages through October 2019

U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

U.S. WORKFORCE ANALYSISNEW STUDY REVEALS

TOO FEW WORKERS FOR JOB OPENINGS

A new analysis from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce shows that there are too few available workers nationwide to fill available job openings, evidence of a historically tight labor market for employers and a mounting threat to the U.S. economy’s continued growth.

In October 2019 (the latest month of available data), the Worker Availability Ratio—which measures the number of available workers for every job opening—fell to 0.88 workers per job opening (less than one available worker per vacancy), the lowest level recorded in nearly 20 years of government data.

The ratio has fallen steadily from a record high of 8 in December 2010 (during the Great Recession) and has averaged 2.8 (or about three workers per job opening) since 2001. Now, there is less than one worker available per job opening nationwide.

The 6.74 million available workers in October 2019 included 5.5 million active job seekers (corresponding to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ definition of unemployed) and 1.2 million others classified as “marginally attached,” who could begin work immediately but have not actively looked for work in the most recent month. Data are not seasonally adjusted.

The data reveal an important but overshadowed “gap” in the American workforce. While much attention has been given to the skills gap, that is, that too many people lack the skills they need to compete for jobs in today’s economy—our nation also faces a growing people gap: there are too few workers relative to demand.

The U.S. Chamber is working to address these challenges by mobilizing the business community to become engaged partners in education and workforce development through its Center for Education and Workforce and by advocating for common-sense immigration reform to improve border security, provide permanent relief for Dreamers, and serve the nation’s economic interest, among several other initiatives.

State WAR

Average 12 Months

Ending June 2019

Percentage Change

from 2010 Average

Available Workers

Total

Job Openings

Total

North Dakota 0.51 -74.0% 12,287 24,250 Iowa 0.62 -83.3% 51,451 82,583 Vermont 0.63 -79.6% 10,450 16,583 Kansas 0.69 -85.0% 56,513 81,917 Utah 0.70 -85.2% 57,071 81,333 South Dakota 0.70 -77.8% 16,179 23,000 Minnesota 0.71 -85.5% 113,796 159,833 Missouri 0.72 -88.4% 117,113 163,000 Wisconsin 0.72 -86.8% 114,380 158,833 New Hampshire 0.72 -76.3% 22,998 31,833 Nebraska 0.76 -73.2% 40,779 53,333 Virginia 0.77 -80.6% 162,180 209,500 Colorado 0.82 -82.8% 118,349 143,750 Wyoming 0.83 -67.8% 12,611 15,250 Idaho 0.84 -81.6% 31,374 37,500 Massachusetts 0.85 -77.5% 151,903 178,000 Hawaii 0.86 -79.6% 26,461 30,917 Montana 0.86 -75.1% 22,265 26,000 Indiana 0.89 -87.7% 150,928 169,417 South Carolina 0.89 -85.6% 107,906 120,750 District of Columbia 0.90 -60.7% 28,666 31,833 Delaware 0.94 -79.2% 20,846 22,250 Texas 0.95 -82.6% 609,617 643,083 Tennessee 0.95 -84.2% 145,653 153,500 Oklahoma 0.95 -77.8% 77,729 81,417 Maine 0.97 -75.5% 29,951 30,750 North Carolina 0.98 -86.6% 257,213 263,250 Arkansas 0.98 -80.9% 59,956 61,083 Florida 1.01 -85.7% 438,761 435,667 Michigan 1.03 -88.7% 241,598 234,833 Ohio 1.03 -85.6% 295,301 287,000 Georgia 1.03 -85.8% 239,741 233,000 Alabama 1.04 -83.5% 100,975 96,667 Illinois 1.05 -84.9% 324,506 308,417 Rhode Island 1.07 -81.9% 25,499 23,917 Oregon 1.08 -84.0% 107,727 99,750 Maryland 1.09 -74.7% 155,654 142,500 New Jersey 1.10 -78.9% 209,310 190,917 Pennsylvania 1.11 -75.4% 333,677 301,917 West Virginia 1.17 -74.0% 46,671 40,000 Nevada 1.22 -83.1% 84,879 69,833 Kentucky 1.26 -76.6% 116,110 92,333 New Mexico 1.26 -73.4% 56,768 45,083 New York 1.27 -78.8% 490,688 385,083 California 1.30 -82.7% 986,730 760,250 Arizona 1.31 -78.5% 213,024 162,750 Washington 1.32 -82.2% 211,264 159,583 Connecticut 1.36 -73.1% 91,591 67,583 Mississippi 1.42 -80.9% 77,924 55,000 Alaska 1.44 -52.3% 28,031 19,500 Louisiana 1.50 -70.0% 129,851 86,333 US Composite for 12 months ending June 2019 1.03 -82.5% 7,632,905 7,392,667

Most states facingWORKFORCESHORTAGES

The Workforce Availability Ratio for every state is listed here, as well as the number of job openings and the number of available workers in that state.

The 10 states with the lowest WAR are highlighted. These states face the most significant workforce shortages, with fewer than three workers for every four jobs available (WAR < 0.75). Notably, no state has more than 1.5 available workers for every position, nor has any state seen its WAR ratio drop by less than 50 percent over the past decade.

All data reflect monthly averages for the 12-month period ending in June 2019, for which the most recent data is available.

MethodologyFor a detailed look at the report’s methodology see: uschamber.com/workforce-methodology

U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

U.S. WORKFORCE ANALYSIS