The number of US job openings in May fell 5.0% from a record high in April to 5.66 million, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, the number of hires rose 8.5%.

The job openings rate — a measure of job openings compared with total employment — fell to 3.7% in May from 3.9% in April.

Job openings decreased in a number of industries with the largest decreases occurring in construction, down by 46,000, and transportation, warehousing, and utilities, down by 45,000. The number of job openings decreased in the Midwest region.

MarketWatch reports the snapshot of the US workforce in May points to a strong labor market in which companies are willing to hire. The shrinking pool of available workers is one of the chief worries of big and small companies alike as they seek to expand to keep up with growing demand for their products and services.

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