Washington: US job openings in September totaled 7.44 million, as per Labor Department figures released on Tuesday. This number fell significantly short of the anticipated 7.98 million openings. According to Anadolu Agency, the number of hires remained relatively unchanged at approximately 5.6 million, maintaining a hiring rate of 3.5%. Total separations, which account for individuals quitting their jobs, as well as layoffs and discharges, increased by 326,000 to reach 5.2 million, with the separation rate holding steady at 3.3%. During the month of September, around 3.1 million workers exited their positions in the United States, which is recognized as the world's largest economy. The Labor Department's survey, known as the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), gathers data from employers to measure job vacancies, hiring practices, and separations. This survey specifically considers job openings for all positions that remain open or unfilled as of the last business day of the month when the surve y is conducted.