There number of U.S. job openings fell 443,000 year-over-year in April for a total of approximately 3.7 million, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. There were approximately 4.1 million job openings in April 2007.

The job openings rate was 2.6% in April, compared with 2.9% a year ago.

The number of hires fell 32,000 year-over-year in April to approximately 4.8 million, according to the BLS. The hires rate was 3.5% in April, the same as a year ago.

Separations declined by 58,000 to approximately 4.5 million in April from April 2007. The separations rate was 3.2% in April, compared with 3.3% a year ago.