Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 6 percent in April from 6.1 percent the prior month, as the state’s manufacturing sector added 1,400 jobs.

The Labor Department said today that a total of 700 jobs were added in the nonfarm sector, bringing the number of employed Iowans to 1,480,200.

“Job gains accrued for the fourth consecutive month, but at a slightly slower pace,” said Teresa Wahlert, director of Iowa Workforce Development. “Manufacturing continues to be the driving force in the Iowa recovery.”

Leisure and hospitality, as well as trade, transportation and utilities, were among the hardest-hit sectors in April, cutting 800 jobs and 500 jobs, respectively. The U.S. unemployment rate stood last month at 9 percent.

The statewide estimate of unemployed persons declined slightly to 102,000 in April from 102,500 in March.