WASHINGTON — The number of US job openings fell to 3.27 million in October from 3.38 million in September, the Labor Department estimated Tuesday.

Openings were at 4.4 million prior to the last recession, with the trough at 1.2 million in July 2009.

Over the 12 months ending in October 2011, hires totaled 48.1 million and separations totaled 46.8 million, yielding a net employment gain of 1.3 million, the government said.

These figures include workers who may have been hired and separated more than once during the year.

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