Wisconsin experienced a second straight month of private-sector job losses in June, meaning the state has seen negative job growth in four of the first six months of the year.

The losses, according to estimates by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, however, largely have been slight, so the two months of positive growth have overcome the downturns for a net total of 8,500 jobs added in the first half of 2014.

In June, Wisconsin lost 1,200 private-sector jobs, with seven of 10 industry sectors experiencing negative growth over May.

The state also had seasonally adjusted monthly job losses in January (200), February (5,300) and May (900). It posted gains of 7,300 jobs in March and 8,800 in April.

Wisconsin's rate of private-sector job growth during the term of Gov. Scott Walker continues to lag behind three of its four neighboring states, a trend reflected in the graphic below.

Michigan went back ahead of the national growth rate in June, but Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois all are experiencing growth slower than the national average.

The figures come from the Current Employment Statistics program, which surveys a small percentage of employers for a snapshot of economic conditions.

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