The number of US job openings in August fell 5.3% from July to almost 5.4 million, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. July had the highest level of job openings since the series began in December 2000, according to Bloomberg. However, the number of hires in August was about the same as in July.

Job openings increased in professional and business services, healthcare and social assistance. Regionally, job openings increased in the South, Midwest and West.

The job openings rate — a measure of job openings compared with total employment — fell to 3.6% in August from 3.8% in July.

The number of hires edged up 0.3% in August to almost 5.1 million. There was little change in the number of hires in all industries and regions over the month. The number of separations rose 1.0% to more than 4.8 million.

Click on chart to enlarge