U.S. job openings fell by 3.8% on a year-over-year basis in February to approximately 2.7 million, according to numbers released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The job openings rate was unchanged at 2.1% in February from February 2009.

The number of hires fell 3.3% year-over-year to 3.1 million in February. The hires rate was unchanged at 3.1%.

Separations fell by 18.7% in February to approximately 4.0 million from approximately 4.9 million in February 2009. The separations rate fell to 3.1% in February from 3.7% a year ago. Separations include involuntary losses of jobs as well as voluntary departures from jobs such as quits and retirements.