Job openings in the U.S. stood at a record high of 6.04 million in April, up from 5.78 million in March, according to the Department of Labor.

The agency said in its latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, or JOLTS, released June 6 that openings increased by 259,000 for the period. The biggest upturn was in the accommodation and food services sectors, while job openings decreased in durable goods manufacturing.

Hires declined by 253,000 to 5.05 million in April from 5.30 in March, while total separations, including resignations, layoffs and discharges, fell by 225,000 to 4.97 million from 5.19 million.

The number of workers who voluntarily quit their jobs fell by 111,000 to 3.0 million in April, while 1.6 million people were laid off and discharged, barely changed from March.

Over the 12 months ending in April, hires amounted to 62.9 million and separations totaled 60.7 million, resulting in a net employment gain of 2.2 million, the Labor Department said.

The JOLTS report covers all private nonfarm establishments, along with federal, state and local government entities.