Statewide jobless rate falls again in Jan.

Van Wert independent/ODJFS information

Ohio’s unemployment rate was 7.7 percent in January, down from 7.9 percent in December, according to data released Friday morning by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS). Ohio’s nonfarm wage and salary employment rose 32,800 over the month, from the revised 5,094,300 in December to 5,127,100 in January.

The number of workers unemployed in Ohio in January was 447,000, down from 458,000 in December. The number of unemployed has decreased by 79,000 in the past 12 months from 526,000. The January unemployment rate for Ohio was down from 9.0 percent in January 2011.

The U.S. unemployment rate for January was 8.3 percent, down from 8.5 percent in December.

Total Nonagricultural Wage and Salary Employment (seasonally adjusted)

Ohio’s nonfarm payroll employment increased 32,800 over the month, from 5,094,300 in December to 5,127,100 in January 2012, according to the latest business establishment survey conducted by ODJFS.

Service-providing industries increased 25,200 over the month to 4,291,100.

The most significant increases were posted in leisure and hospitality (+6,800), education and health services (+6,000), professional and business services (+5,300) and trade, transportation and utilities (+3,200). Financial activities (+2,400), other services (+1,400), and government (+100) also experienced over-the-month gains. Information remained unchanged.

Goods-producing industries, at 836,000, were up 7,600 from December 2011. Construction gained 6,200 and manufacturing added 1,400 jobs. Mining and logging remained unchanged.

Over the past 12 months, nonagricultural wage and salary employment grew 62,500. Service-providing industries added 39,700 jobs.

The most significant gains occurred in trade, transportation and utilities (+16,000), education and health services (+15,400), and professional and business services (+12,000). Also showing improvement were other services (+2,400) and information (+1,300).

Government (-6,700) and financial activities (-700) declined over the year. Leisure and hospitality was unchanged. Goods-producing industries rose 22,800. Manufacturing added 17,700 jobs as a gain in durable goods (+18,000) exceeded a loss in nondurable goods (-300). Construction added 4,500 jobs while mining and logging employment were up 600.