Ohio Unemployment Holds Steady at 4.7%

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio’s unemployment rate in April was 4.7%, virtually unchanged from the previous month’s level.

The number of people working in nonagricultural jobs, however, declined slightly over the course of the month with 3,700 jobs shed. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services reported employment in the state was 5,308,300 in April.

The number of unemployed workers rose to 273,000 – up 2,000 from March. The labor force participation rate in April was 62.3%, up from 62.1% in March and 59.8% in April 2020. The national participation rate was 61.7% in April.

Employment in goods-producing industries decreased by 400, with losses in manufacturing (down 800) offset gains seen in construction (up 400), while mining and logging saw now change in employment.

In the private service-providing sector, employment fell 3,000, led by losses in leisure and hospitality (down 3,900), trade, transportation and utilities (down 1,700) and the information and professional/business services sectors, which each shed 100 jobs. Gains were seen in education and health services (up 1,900), financial activities (up 100) and “other services” (up 800).

Government employment fell 300 with gains made in local government (up 500) were outpaced by losses at the state (down 700) and federal (down 100) levels.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services will release local unemployment data May 25.  

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.