Ohio Unemployment Rises Slightly to 5.2%

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio’s unemployment rate rose slightly to 5.2% in June, according to the Department of Job and Family Services, up two-tenths of a percent from May.

Nationally, the unemployment rose to 5.9% last month, up from 5.8% in May.

At both the state and national levels, however, unemployment is down substantially from a year ago. The state rate was 10.3% in June 2020, while the national rate was 11.1%.

Ohio’s nonagricultural wage and salary employment rose 31,300 in June, according to a survey by the U.S. Department of Labor in cooperation with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

In goods-producing industries, employment rose by 900, led by the addition of 1,700 jobs in the manufacturing sector. The construction industry cut 800 jobs and mining and logging stayed even.

In the private service sector, there were 19,000 jobs added as leisure and hospitality (added 10,600 jobs); education and health services (added 5,000); trade, transportation and utilities (added 4,600); and other services (added 400) surpassed the losses seen in professional and business services (down 1,100); financial activities (down 400); and information (down 100).

Government employment rose 11,400 with gains at the local level (up 6,400) and state level (up 5,200) passed the 200 jobs cut at the federal level.

Year over year, employment has increased 190,000 in Ohio, led by leisure and hospitality with 60,000 jobs added; trade, transportation and utilities with 28,600 added; and professional and business services with 25,000 added.

Local-level unemployment information will be released July 20.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.