The number of US job openings in February fell 2.8% from January to more than 5.4 million, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, the number of hires rose to the highest level since 2006.

Educational services job openings increased by 48,000, followed by federal government at 19,000. Job openings decreased by 147,000 in health care and social assistance; 54,000 in finance and insurance; and 8,000 in mining and logging.

Regionally, job openings edged down in the Midwest over the month.

The job openings rate — a measure of job openings compared with total employment — edged down to 3.7% in February from 3.8% in January.

The number of hires increased by 297,000 to 5.4 million in February, the highest level since November 2006. Hires increased by 102,000 in retail trade, 78,000 in accommodation and food service, 44,000 in educational services and 25,000 in state and local government, excluding education. Hires declined by 9,000 in mining and logging. The number of hires fell by 17,000 in professional and business services.

Regionally, hires decreased in the South.

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