Iowa unemployment rate remains at 6.8%

Iowa's seasonally adjusted jobless rate in June was unchanged from May at 6.8 percent, according to Iowa Workforce Development.

The state's unemployment rate was 6 percent in June 2009.

The national jobless rate for June dropped to 9.5 percent from 9.7 percent in May. Hiring in June at the statewide and national levels was affected by the government's cutting of temporary census workers and weak consumer spending.

Iowa's pool of unemployed workers decreased slightly to 113,600 in June from 114,800 in May. The number of unemployed was reported at 99,500 in June 2009.

“The June non-farm employment figure is higher than one year ago, indicating that some progress has been made toward a recovery,” said Elisabeth Buck, director of Iowa Workforce Development. “Iowa is headed in the right direction, but hiring will need to gain strength to substantially lower the state's unemployment rate.”

The total number of working Iowans dropped to 1,567,100 in June from 1,571,600 in May, the lowest level reported for the year.  One year ago, total employment stood at 1,572,400.

Trade and transportation posted the largest loss in June, down 4,200 jobs. Within this sector, retail trade accounted for 2,400 of the loss.

Elsewhere, construction continued to reflect weakness with a decline of 1,900.

On a positive note, a few sectors showed signs of recovery in June.

Professional and business services, which is considered to be a leading indicator, added 2,400 jobs. Manufacturing added 2,000 jobs, all of which were contained in the hard-hit durable goods segment.

Financial services, which reflected a moderate decline in May, increased by 800 jobs in June.

Unemployment rates for Iowa cities and counties will be released later this month by Iowa Workforce Development.