U.S. job openings increased to a record high in April, signaling an ever-tightening labor market, according to the Department of Labor's latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, or JOLTS.
Job openings went up to a seasonally adjusted 6.7 million in April from 6.6 million in the previous month, the highest level since December 2000 when the government started tracking the data series. The job openings rate was unchanged at 4.3%.
The JOLTS report showed that job openings rose in the durable goods manufacturing and information sectors, but declined in finance and insurance.
The number of hires increased to 5.6 million in April from 5.5 million in March. The hires rate rose to 3.8% from 3.7%.
Last week, the department reported that total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 223,000 in May, and the unemployment rate edged down to 3.8%.
