Iowa’s unemployment rate increased slightly during June, hitting 5.2 percent, up from  5.1 percent in May. The U.S. unemployment rate for June remained at 8.2 percent.

Iowa’s total nonfarm employment decreased by 2,400 jobs in June, bringing the monthly total to 1,491,400. Although the private sector continued to add jobs, these gains were offset by a large drop in local government employment. Local governments shed 5,300 jobs in June, as workers in education began their summer breaks.

“Despite the large seasonal drop in local education employment, the private sector created 3,100 jobs in June,” said Teresa Wahlert, director of Iowa Workforce Development. “Professional and business services led the month’s job growth with a gain of 3,000 jobs.”

The number of unemployed Iowans rose slightly, to 85,600 in June from 85,000 in May. The current estimate of unemployed is 14,700 below the year-ago level of 100,300.

Total employment decreased to 1,573,400 in June from 1,578,000 in May, but is 12,900 higher than the year-ago figure of 1,560,500.

Compared with June of last year, Iowa has added 20,600 jobs. Manufacturing led the annual job growth, up 11,900, and construction ranked second with a gain of 4,400 jobs. Combined, the two goods-producing sectors accounted for four out of every five jobs added since last June.

Government cut more jobs than any other sector, down 2,600 over the year. Trade and transportation saw the largest loss in the private sector, down 2,400.