U.S. job openings rose by 5.7 percent in May from April, according to seasonally adjusted data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The job openings rate — a measure of job openings compared with total employment — was 2.7 percent in May, up from 2.5 percent in April.

The number of hires rose by 3.5 percent in May from the previous month, and was up 4.3 percent year over year.

Separations rose 5.0 percent in May from April, and rose 4.1 percent on a year-over-year basis. Separations include involuntary job losses as well as voluntary job losses such as from quits and retirements.

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