Ohio unemployment remains static

ODJFS information

COLUMBUS — Ohio’s unemployment rate remained at 7.2 percent in August, unchanged from 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 2,000 over the month, from the revised 5,189,600 in July to 5,187,600 in August.

The number of workers unemployed in Ohio in August was 413,000, down from 418,000 in July. The number of unemployed has decreased by 95,000 in the past 12 months from 508,000. The August unemployment rate for Ohio was down from 8.8 percent in August 2011.

The U.S. unemployment rate for August was 8.1 percent, down from 8.3 percent in July, and down from 9.1 percent in August 2011.

Total Nonagricultural Wage and Salary Employment (seasonally adjusted)

Ohio’s nonagricultural wage and salary employment decreased 2,000 over the month, from 5,189,600 in July to 5,187,600 in August, according to the latest business establishment survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor (Bureau of Labor Statistics) in cooperation with ODJFS.

Service-providing industries declined 4,200 over the month to 4,332,800. Job losses occurred in trade, transportation, and utilities (-7,100), educational and health services (-4,800), and other services (-200).

Gains were seen in leisure and hospitality (+3,500), professional and business services (+2,200), financial activities (+1,200), government (+900), and information (+100). Goods-producing industries, at 854,800, were up 2,200 from July. Construction gained 2,600. Mining and logging lost 300 jobs while manufacturing dropped 100.

From August 2011 to August 2012, nonagricultural wage and salary employment rose by 98,300. Service-providing industries added 73,900 jobs. The most significant gains occurred in educational and health services (+26,100), trade, transportation, and utilities (+20,200), and professional and business services (+14,200). Also showing improvement were leisure and hospitality (+8,100), other services (+6,100), financial activities (+2,700), and information (+700).

Over-the-year declines were posted in government (-4,200). Goods-producing industries increased 24,400. Manufacturing gained 20,200 jobs through increases in durable goods (+16,200) and nondurable goods (+4,000). Construction added 4,500 jobs. Mining and logging employment decreased 300.