The number of job openings in the United States on the last business day of May edged down to 6.6 million from a revised April level of 6.8 million, the U.S. Department of Labor reported Tuesday.

The data showed that the job openings rate was 4.3 percent in May while the number of hires and separations were little changed at 5.8 million and 5.5 million, respectively.

The hires rate was 3.9 percent. The number of hires was little changed for total private. Hires increased in health care and social assistance.

The total separations rate was 3.7 percent. The number of total separations was little changed for total private. Total separations decreased in arts, entertainment, and recreation and state and local government education.

Large numbers of hires and separations occur every month throughout the business cycle. When the number of hires exceeds the number of separations, employment rises, even if the hiring level is steady or declining. Conversely, when the number of hires is less than the number of separations, employment declines, even if the hiring level is steady or rising.

Over the 12 months ending in May, hires totaled 66.4 million and separations totaled 63.9 million, yielding a net employment gain of 2.5 million. These totals include workers who may have been hired and separated more than once during the year. Enditem