The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that Metro Warner Robins’ unemployment rate increased to 7.3 percent in June, up three-tenths of a percentage point from 7.0 percent in May. The rate was 8.0 percent in June a year ago.

The rate increased because of seasonal factors, such as the summer job loss among non-contract school workers and an increase in the labor force as graduates and students entered the job market.

There were 58,400 jobs in Warner Robins in June, down by 300, or 0.5 percent, from 58,700 in May. Most of the loss came in the service-related industries and with the federal government.

Also, over the year, the number of jobs decreased by 1,100, or 1.9 percent, from 59,500 in June 2013. Most of the loss came with the federal government, service-related industries, and the goods-producing sector, which includes manufacturing and construction.

Also, there were 362 new claims for unemployment insurance filed in June, an increase of three, or 0.8 percent, from 359 in May. There were 546 claims filed in June 2013.

The labor force grew by 24 to 68,765 from 68,741

Metro Athens had the lowest area jobless rate at 6.3 percent, while the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region had the highest at 10.4 percent.

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for June was 7.4 percent, up from 7.2 percent in May. 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.gdol.ga.gov.