Rhode Island’s private sector businesses had an estimated 8,106 job vacancies between May and June 2010. This translates to a vacancy rate of 2.2 percent or 2.2 job openings for every 100 jobs filled in Rhode Island during the summer of 2010. In general, a higher job vacancy rate translates to an improved chance for a Rhode Island job seeker to secure employment. The 2010 data represents an improvement over the 2009 rate of 1.5 percent, and a return to the 2008 rate of 2.2 percent. As a comparison, Rhode Island’s pre-recessionary vacancy rate was 2.7 percent in 2006.  

• More than half (56.5%) of the 2010 estimated vacancies were for full-time jobs, while 43.5 percent were for part-time.

• The majority (87.2%) of the vacancies were for permanent positions, while 12.8 percent were for seasonal or temporary positions.

• More than a third (37.2%) of the estimated vacancies had been open for less than 30 days and 10.5 percent had been open for 60 days or longer. Employers reported that they were constantly recruiting for more than 28 percent of their vacant positions.

• The majority of vacancies were for educated and experienced workers. One third (33.2%) required a college degree (associate’s or higher) and 43.7 percent required a high school diploma/GED. Thirteen percent of the job openings had no educational requirement.

• More than half (53.6%) required experience related to the position and 20.8 percent required general work experience.

• Many of the vacancies provided benefits such as health insurance (68.7%), paid vacation (64.9%), retirement/pension plan (54.1%) and paid sick leave (48.8%).

If you have any questions regarding the Rhode Island Job Vacancy Survey, or would like a hard copy of this publication, please contact LMI at (401) 462-8740 or lmi@dlt.ri.gov.