The number of US job openings in December rose 3.7% from November to more than 5.0 million, the highest level of job openings since January 2001, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Job openings increased for healthcare and social assistance and for state and local government. The job openings rate — a measure of job openings compared with total employment — rose to 3.5% in December from 3.3% in November.

The number of hires edged up 1.9% in December to about 5.1 million, the highest level of hires since November 2007. The number of separations also rose 4.0% to approximately 4.9 million.

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