The state's unemployment rate dropped slightly to 2.4 percent in June, tying Montana for the lowest unemployment rate in the nation.

The seasonally adjusted rate of 2.4 percent was 0.1 percentage point lower than May and equal to the rate in April, according to the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Nationally, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 4.5 percent for a third straight month.

In June, the state's seasonably adjusted labor force was 653,100, with 15,750 being unemployed. In the first half of the year, the number of employed grew by 10,050, or 1.6 percent, while the number of unemployed dropped by 550, or 3.4 percent, when compared with the same period last year.

"Hawai'i continues to experience positive job growth in numerous industries," said Nelson Befitel, department director. "The continued expansion of the economy is keeping Hawai'i's unemployment population at a consistently low level."

The statewide unemployment rate is adjusted for seasonal variations such as summer hiring and cannot be directly compared with county numbers, which are not seasonally adjusted.

O'ahu's and Kaua'i's nonseasonably adjusted unemployment rate rose to 2.9 percent in June from 2.2 percent in May. The Big Island increased to 4.0 percent in June from 3.1 percent in May, while Maui rose to 2.8 percent from 2.2 percent, according to the labor department.

Nonagricultural jobs increased by 2,100 from May to June, primarily because of gains in the education, health, construction, trade, and transportation and utilities fields. Food services and accommodations jobs dropped by 100, while there was no change in the number of government jobs.

In May, Hawai'i was tied with Utah for the second lowest jobless rate behind Idaho and Montana. But Utah's rate slipped to 2.6 percent in June, while Idaho dipped to 2.5 percent.

Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.