The number of US job openings in May edged up 0.5% from April to almost 5.4 million, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. May had the highest level of job openings since the series began in December 2000.

Job openings increased in nondurable goods manufacturing and in state and local government. Job openings were little changed in all four regions.

The job openings rate — a measure of job openings compared with total employment — remained at 3.6% in May.

The number of hires edged down 0.7% in May to 5.0 million. There was little change in the number of hires in all industries and regions over the month. The number of separations also fell 3.1% to almost 4.9 million.

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