The number of US job openings edged down 0.9% in August from the prior month — which was a record high — to 6.08 million, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The hires and separates rates also fell.

The job openings rate — a measure of job openings compared with total employment — was 4.0% in August, unchanged from July.

Job openings were little changed for total private and for government. Openings increased in healthcare and social assistance by 71,000, and in durable goods manufacturing, up by 31,000. Job openings decreased in “other services” by 95,000; educational services by 51,000; and in nondurable goods manufacturing by 48,000.

The number of job openings increased in the Midwest region.

MarketWatch reports the labor market is doing relatively well and most industries still have their “help wanted” shingles out. However, companies aren’t filling job openings as aggressively as they did during the peak of the last economic expansion in early 2007.

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