The number of US job openings in October fell 2.7% from September to less than 5.4 million, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Job openings decreased in professional and business services, and in the West region.

The job openings rate — a measure of job openings compared with total employment — fell to 3.6% in October from 3.7% in September.

MarketWatch reports an increase in hiring may be partly responsible for the job openings decrease.

The number of hires rose 1.1% in October to more than 5.1 million. There was little change in the number of hires in all industries while hires increased in the West region over the month.

The number of separations edged down 0.5% to approximately 4.8 million.

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