The number of US job openings in June rose 2.0% from May to 5.6 million, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The number of hires also edged up 1.7% from May.

The number of job openings was essentially unchanged for total nonfarm, total private and government. Job openings increased by 37,000 in durable goods manufacturing and decreased in federal government by 15,000.

The job openings rate — a measure of job openings compared with total employment — rose to 3.8% from 3.7% in May.

The number of hires rose by 84,000 to 5.1 million in June, a 1.7% increase. Hires were little changed in all industries. The number of hires increased in the Northeast region.

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