Takeaways 

  • Demand for workers across the labor market is down, as overall postings have fallen 14.8% from October 6, 2022. 
  • Aviation and Driving postings have notched gains over the past year, while other transportation categories have fallen.
  • Workers are staying put more as the quits rate has descended to near pre-pandemic levels.  

Indeed job postings 

The labor market slowdown continued through the third quarter of 2023, which is reflected in the Indeed Job Postings Index. As of October 6, job postings are down 14.8% from the same date last year. However, employer demand for workers is still elevated. As of October 6, the Indeed Job Postings Index remained at 127, meaning job postings are still 27% above their pre-pandemic baseline.

Line graph titled “US job postings down 14.8% year-over-year,” shows the increase of Indeed job postings from their pre-pandemic baseline. US job postings have fallen 14.8% since October 6, 2022.
Line graph titled “US job postings down 14.8% year-over-year,” shows the increase of Indeed job postings from their pre-pandemic baseline. US job postings have fallen 14.8% since October 6, 2022.

Transportation job postings 

The slowdown in parts of the Transportation vertical has abated in recent months. Loading & Stocking and Logistic Support postings have leveled off through the third quarter, but both categories are still down 25.2% over the past year. 

Line chart titled “Warehousing postings level off for now,” shows job postings in Loading & Stocking and Logistic Support to October 6, 2023. Both of these segments have lost job postings over the past year.
Line chart titled “Warehousing postings level off for now,” shows job postings in Loading & Stocking and Logistic Support to October 6, 2023. Both of these segments have lost job postings over the past year.

Employer demand for workers in other areas of transportation has notched up in recent months. Aviation postings have risen 19% from last year while Driving postings are not far behind, up 14.3% from the same time last year. 

Line chart titled “Demand for drivers picks up,” shows job postings in Driving and Aviation to October 6, 2023. Aviation and Driving postings are up over the past year. 
Line chart titled “Demand for drivers picks up,” shows job postings in Driving and Aviation to October 6, 2023. Aviation and Driving postings are up over the past year. 

Transportation quits 

As the labor market slowed this year workers have become a bit more cautious about switching roles, as evidenced by the recent decline in the quits rate. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the share of workers voluntarily leaving their jobs each month in the Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities industry has fallen back to near pre-pandemic levels. While turnover is still high by historical standards, employers are facing less of a retention issue compared to this time last year. 

Line chart titled “Transportation quits decline to near pre-pandemic levels,” shows the quits rate, in %, for the total labor market and the Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities industry, through August 2023. Wage growth in both categories has fallen sharply in the past year.
Line chart titled “Transportation quits decline to near pre-pandemic levels,” shows the quits rate, in %, for the total labor market and the Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities industry, through August 2023. Wage growth in both categories has fallen sharply in the past year.

For more labor market insights from the Indeed Hiring Lab, follow along on our blog at hiringlab.org.