Topeka ? The state unemployment rate increased to 5.3 percent in June, but was lower than the same month a year ago, the Department of Labor said Friday.

The June rate was slightly higher than the 5 percent unemployment rate in May. Officials said the increase reflected seasonal layoffs by schools and universities, which reduce their payrolls for summer vacations.

Since June 2004, the Kansas economy has added 16,100 jobs in nine of 11 sectors monitored by the state agency. Oil and mining businesses led the way, adding 1,000 jobs as a result of higher prices for crude oil during the past year. For the month, the economy added 2,000 jobs.

“We continue to see steady job growth in the state, with an emphasis in the professional and business services, construction and manufacturing sectors,” Kansas Labor Secretary Jim Garner said.

Construction, manufacturing and business services accounted for 12,000 of the new jobs since June 2004. Two sectors lagging in growth were retail and telecommunications.

First-time jobless claims also were down from the previous year. The department recorded 8,860 initial claims in June, compared with 11,760 a year earlier. There were six mass layoffs in June of 50 workers or more during a five week period.

The employment trends in the state’s four metropolitan statistic areas reflected the statewide figures.

The Kansas portion of the Kansas City metro area, encompassing Franklin, Johnson, Leavenworth, Linn, Miami and Wyandotte counties, rose to 6 percent in June from May’s 5.7 percent. It was lower than the 6.3 percent in June 2004, aided by 5,000 more people on the job.

Lawrence, which includes all of Douglas County, was at 4.2 percent in June, up from May’s 3.8 percent, but lower than the 4.4 percent of June 2004. The labor force and number of people employed remained virtually unchanged the year over.

Topeka, defined as Jackson, Jefferson, Shawnee and Wabaunsee counties, increased to 5.5 percent, up from 5.2 percent in May and 6.1 percent.

The Wichita area, defined as Butler, Harvey, Sedgwick and Sumner counties, increased to 5.7 percent from May’s 5.4 percent. However, the region posted the biggest percentage drop from the previous year, when 6.4 percent of the labor force was looking for work. The area has been struggling to recover from the economic downturn that took a heavy toll on the aviation industry.