All sample estimates, including the JOLTS estimates, have inherent variability. The true population value estimated from a sample may be lower or higher than the sample point estimate. Comparing sample estimates to determine if they are different in terms of statistical significance requires the use of a statistical measure called the standard error of the estimate. The JOLTS program computes the standard error for each estimate in each month but then uses the median of those standard errors for statistical comparisons. The median standard errors are calculated on the data series from January 2002 forward and are recalculated each year when a new year of standard errors is available.
The median standard error tables are provided below by year. Each year?s table provides the median standard errors for the level and rate of each data element (job openings, hires, etc.) for each published industry. When comparing estimates, use the most-recent year?s median standard errors.
For information on how to use the JOLTS Median Standard Errors, see the reliability of JOLTS estimates page.
Last Modified Date: March 31, 2014