Unemployment in Tennessee rose for the third consecutive month during June, climbing to 8.5 percent after state employers shed 16,500 jobs last month.

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development said today that unemployment in the Volunteer State rose due to job losses in government, manufacturing and health and social services.

Total nonfarm employment in Tennessee decreased by 16,500 jobs from May to June. But over the past year, Tennessee still added 32,000 jobs.

The U.S. jobless rate averaged 7.6 percent in June.