The U.S. labor market added 5 million job openings in March, slightly lower than the previous month, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Tuesday.
March's numbers were down from 5.1 million job openings in February. The job openings rate for March was 3.4 percent, which was little changed for the total private and government sectors.
There were fewer jobs available in health care and social assistance but the report found an increase in the arts, entertainment and recreation industries. Job openings were little changed in all four geographic regions of the country.
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The number of job openings has increased over the last 12 months, especially in professional and business services, health care and social assistance, and accommodation and food services. Job openings decreased over the year in mining and logging.
March hires came in at 5.1 million, little changed from February. The hires rate was 3.6 percent in March.
There were 5 million total separations in March, also little changed from the previous month. The separations rate was 3.5 percent. Separations includes quits, layoffs and discharges, and is also known as turnover.