U.S. job openings edged down in June but continued to outnumber the unemployed, while hiring also fell for a second straight month, according to latest data from the U.S. Labor Department.

Job openings slipped to a seasonally adjusted 7.3 million in June from an upwardly revised 7.4 million in the previous month, matching the consensus estimate of economists polled by Econoday. The job openings rate eased to 4.6% from 4.7%.

The government reported Aug. 2 that U.S. unemployment went up to 6.1 million in July from 6 million in June.

Job openings declined in some sectors, including construction, finance and insurance, leisure and hospitality, and transportation, warehousing and utilities.

Hiring went down month over month to 5.7 million from 5.8 million, while the hiring rate was unchanged at 3.8%.

Job separations, which include resignations and layoffs, fell to 5.5 million from 5.6 million. The separations rate inched down to 3.6% from 3.7%.

Total nonfarm payroll employment grew by 164,000 in July, topping analysts' expectations.