State unemployment rate increases slightly in August

Van Wert independent/ODJFS information

Those looking for signs the Ohio’s employment picture is improving were no doubt disappointed with Friday’s release of  statewide employment figures. Ohio once again saw a small jump in unemployment in August, mirroring a trend seen in the country as a whole.

The state’s unemployment rate was 9.1 percent in August, up slightly from 9.0 percent in July, according to data released Friday morning by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS). Ohio’s nonfarm wage and salary employment decreased 700 over the month, from the revised 5,117,200 in July to 5,116,500 in August.

The number of workers unemployed in Ohio in August was 536,000, up from 529,000 in July. The number of unemployed has decreased by 47,000 in the past 12 months from 583,000. The August unemployment rate for Ohio was down from 9.9 percent in August 2010.

The U.S. unemployment rate for August remained unchanged from July at 9.1 percent.

Total Nonagricultural Wage and Salary Employment (Seasonally Adjusted) Ohio’s nonfarm payroll employment decreased 700 over the month, from 5,117,200 in July to 5,116,500 in August, according to the latest business establishment survey conducted by ODJFS.

Goods-producing industries, at 821,400, were down 400 from July driven by a decline in manufacturing (-1,600). Slight improvements were posted in construction (+900) and mining and logging (+300). Service-providing industries decreased 300 over the month to 4,295,100.

The most significant losses occurred in professional and business services (-2,500) and trade, transportation, and utilities (-1,300).

Other industries losing jobs included information (-900), financial activities ( 800) and government (-700). Other services (+3,200), educational and health services (+2,300), and leisure and hospitality (+400) experienced over-the-month gains.

Over the past 12 months, nonagricultural wage and salary employment advanced 80,300. Service-providing industries added 60,300 jobs. The most significant gains occurred in educational and health services (+25,900), professional and business services (+17,300), and leisure and hospitality (+12,500). Other services (+6,500), trade, transportation, and utilities (+5,400), and financial activities (+2,300) also experienced growth.

Government declined 8,600 and information lost 1,000 jobs. Goods-producing industries increased 20,000 over the year. Manufacturing added 12,400 jobs, as a gain in durable goods (+15,900) exceeded a loss in nondurable goods (-3,500). Construction (+6,900) and mining and logging (+700) also increased from August 2010.