Average Employee Turnover Rate
The average monthly quits rate is about 2.2% of employment (BLS JOLTS) — meaning voluntary departures alone run over 25% a year in aggregate. Total separations (quits, layoffs and other) are higher, and rates vary enormously by industry.
The average monthly quits rate is about 2.2% (BLS JOLTS). Voluntary turnover annualizes to roughly 25%+, with total turnover higher and highly industry-dependent.
- Monthly quits rate2.2%
- Annualized quits (approx.)~26%
- Varies byIndustry
- SourceBLS JOLTS
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS)
Quits rate vs. total turnover
The BLS quits rate counts voluntary separations as a share of employment each month. Total turnover also includes layoffs, discharges and other separations, so it is higher. Quits are a widely used gauge of worker confidence and labor-market tightness. Because it is a monthly rate, a 2.2% quits rate implies more than a quarter of the workforce voluntarily leaving over a year in aggregate.
Turnover by the numbers
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Average monthly quits rate | 2.2% |
| Annualized quits (2.2% × 12) | ~26% |
| Industries with highest quits | Leisure & hospitality, retail |
| Industries with lowest quits | Government, education |
BLS Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). Annualized figure is a NumberBench approximation and is not additive across identical workers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average employee turnover rate?
The average monthly quits rate is about 2.2% (BLS JOLTS); total turnover including layoffs is higher and varies a lot by industry.
What is a good turnover rate?
It depends heavily on industry — leisure and hospitality run far higher than government or education. Compare to your own sector, not the overall average.
Does the quits rate include layoffs?
No. Quits are voluntary departures only. Layoffs and discharges are counted separately in total separations.
How do I annualize a monthly quits rate?
Roughly multiply by 12, but treat it as an aggregate flow — it does not mean 26% of the same employees each leave once a year.
Sources & methodology
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS).
The quits rate is from the BLS JOLTS release. The annualized figure is a NumberBench approximation (monthly rate × 12) and industry patterns are from the same source.
Last checked July 2026 · Refreshed with BLS JOLTS releases.