Private-sector payrolls continued to grow in June and Washington’s unemployment rate fell for the third straight month, to 8.9 percent – the lowest rate since April 2009.

The May unemployment rate was revised upward from 9.1 percent to 9.2 percent after more analysis.

The economy picked up 4,500 private-sector jobs, but registered a net loss of 3,500 jobs for the month. That’s due to 8,000 government jobs being eliminated, about half of which were federal census jobs. So far in 2010, Washington has added more than 20,000 private-sector jobs.

“It’s very encouraging to see private-sector hiring starting to pick up,” said Employment Security Commissioner Karen Lee.

Industries that added jobs in June were education and health services, up 1,300; construction up 1,000; retail trade, up 900; professional and business services, up 700; leisure and hospitality, up 700; other services, up 400; information, up 300; and manufacturing, up 100.

Jobs were lost in government, down 8,000; financial activities, down 500; wholesale trade, down 300; and transportation, warehousing and utilities, down 100.

Year over year, Washington had 17,000 fewer jobs last month than in June 2009, a 0.6 percent decrease. Nationally, employment declined by 0.13 percent over the past year.

An estimated 308,178 people (not seasonally adjusted) in Washington were unemployed and looking for work, and more than 254,000 people received unemployment benefits from Washington in June.

Employment Security is a partner in the statewide WorkSource system, which offers a variety of employment and training services for job seekers, including free help with interviewing skills, résumés, and job referrals.

WorkSource also can help employers recruit and screen for qualified workers, apply for employment tax breaks, qualify for subsidized employee training, and other services.

Locations of local WorkSource offices are listed online at www.go2worksource.com. Assistance also is available by phone at 877-872-5627.

In addition, more than 20,000 job openings are posted at www.go2worksource.com.