The number of US job openings in April edged up 2.1% from March to almost 5.8 million, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, the number of hires fell 3.7% from March.

Wholesale trade job openings increased by 65,000, followed by transportation, warehousing and utilities at 58,000 and durable goods manufacturing at 46,000. Job openings decreased by 274,000 in professional and business services.

The number of job openings was little changed in all four regions.

The job openings rate — a measure of job openings compared with total employment — edged up to 3.9% in April from 3.8% in March.

The number of hires fell by 198,000 to 5.1 million in April, a 3.7% decrease. Hires edged down by 31,000 in state and local government. Hires were little changed in all industries in April and decreased in the Midwest region.

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