The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that Metro Warner Robins’ unemployment rate increased to 7.0 percent in May, up nine-tenths of a percentage point from 6.1 percent in April. The rate was 7.1 percent in May a year ago.

The rate increase was seasonal, as new graduates entered the labor force looking for full-time work, while other students searched for part-time summer jobs. The labor force rose by 533, up to 68,817 in May from 68,284 in April.

While the rate rose, the number of jobs increased by 100, or 0.2 percent, to 58,700 in May from 58,600 in April. Most of the job increases came in the service-related industries.

However, over the year, the number of jobs decreased by 1,500, or 2.5 percent, from 60,200 in May 2013. Most of the jobs were lost in government, wholesale trade, transportation, and warehousing.

Also, there were 359 new claims for unemployment insurance filed in May, an increase of 23, or 6.8 percent, from 336 in April. Most of the increase in claims came in health care and social assistance and accommodations and food services. There were 497 claims filed in May 2013.

Metro Athens had the lowest area jobless rate at 5.7 percent, while the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region had the highest at 9.8 percent.

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for May was 7.2 percent, up from 6.9 percent in April. The rate was 8.4 percent in May a year ago.

Local area unemployment data are not seasonally adjusted. Georgia labor market data are available at www.employgeorgia.com.