The number of US job openings in February rose 3.4% from January to more than 5.1 million, the highest level of job openings since January 2001, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. No industries posted significant changes from January and job openings increased in the Midwest region.

The job openings rate — a measure of job openings compared with total employment — edged up to 3.5% in February from 3.4% in January.

The number of hires fell 1.6% in February to about 4.9 million. There was little to no change in the number of hires in all industries over the month; hires increased in the Northeast and decreased in the South. The number of separations also fell 3.8% to approximately 4.6 million.

Click on chart to enlarge