Ohio and U.S. Employment Situation (Seasonally Adjusted)

Ohio's unemployment rate was 7.3 percent in May, down from 7.4 percent in April, according to data released this morning by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS). Ohio's nonfarm wage and salary employment increased 19,600 over the month from the revised 5,139,300 in April to 5,158,900 in May.

The number of workers unemployed in Ohio in May was 426,000, down from 431,000 in April. The number of unemployed has decreased by 86,000 in the past 12 months from 512,000. The May unemployment rate for Ohio was down from 8.8 percent in May 2011.

The U.S. unemployment rate for May was 8.2 percent, up from 8.1 percent in April, but down from 9.0 percent in May 2011.

Total Nonagricultural Wage and Salary Employment (Seasonally Adjusted)
Ohio's nonfarm payroll employment increased 19,600 over the month, from 5,139,300 in April to 5,158,900 in May, according to the latest business establishment survey conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Service-providing industries increased 10,700 over the month to 4,312,900. Job growth occurred in professional and business services (+4,500), educational and health services (+4,300), leisure and hospitality (+2,900), other services (+1,400), and financial activities (+800). Losses occurred in trade, transportation, and utilities (-2,100), government (-1,000), and information (-100). Goods-producing industries, at 846,000, were up 8,900 from April. Manufacturing added 6,400 jobs, construction increased 2,400, and mining and logging gained 100.

From May 2011 to May 2012, nonagricultural wage and salary employment rose by 75,700. Service-providing industries added 49,100 jobs. The most significant gains occurred in educational and health services (+21,300), trade, transportation, and utilities (+16,500), and professional and business services (+10,800). Also showing improvement were other services (+3,200), government (+2,400), and information (+1,700). Over-the-year declines were posted in leisure and hospitality (-5,900) and financial activities (-900). Goods-producing industries increased 26,600. Manufacturing gained 21,600 jobs through expansion in durable goods (+15,400) and nondurable goods (+6,200). Construction added 4,600 jobs while mining and logging employment increased 400.

EDITOR'S NOTE: All data cited are produced in cooperation with the U. S. Department of Labor. Data sources include Current Population Survey (U.S. data); Current Employment Statistics Program (nonagricultural wage and salary employment data); and Local Area Unemployment Statistics Program (Ohio unemployment rates). More complete listings of the data appear in the monthly Ohio Labor Market Review. Unemployment rates for all Ohio counties as well as cities with populations of 50,000 or more are presented in the monthly ODJFS Civilian Labor Force Estimates publication. Updated statewide historical data may be obtained by contacting the Bureau of Labor Market Information at (614) 752-9494. Ohioans can access tens of thousands of job openings, for positions ranging from file clerks to CEOs, at www.ohiomeansjobs.com.

Choose this link to view the table on the Ohio and U.S. Employment Situation.

Choose this link to view the table for the Nonagricultural Wage and Salary Employment Estimates for Ohio.