Ohio’s jobless rate decreases slightly

ODJFS information

Ohio’s unemployment rate was 7.5 percent in March, down from 7.6 percent in February, according to data released Friday morning by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS). Ohio’s nonfarm wage and salary employment fell 9,500 over the month, from the revised 5,146,500 in February to 5,137,000 in March.

The number of workers unemployed in Ohio in March was 438,000, down from 443,000 in February. The number of unemployed has decreased by 73,000 in the past 12 months from 511,000. The March unemployment rate for Ohio was down from 8.8 percent in March 2011.

The U.S. unemployment rate for March was 8.2 percent, down from 8.3 percent in February.

Total nonagricultural wage/salary employment (seasonally adjusted)

Ohio’s nonfarm payroll employment dropped 9,500 over the month, from 5,146,500 in February to 5,137,000 in March, according to the latest business establishment survey conducted by ODJFS.

Service-providing industries decreased 6,900 over the month to 4,297,600. Leisure and hospitality (-5,200), educational and health services (-4,300), other services (-2,200), and government (-1,200) experienced losses.

Growth occurred in trade, transportation, and utilities (+6,300) and financial activities (+500). Goods-producing industries, at 839,400, were down 2,600 from February. Construction (-7,000) and mining and logging (-200) contracted. Manufacturing (+4,600) saw a month-to-month gain.

From March 2011 to March 2012, nonagricultural wage and salary employment rose by 59,600. Service-providing industries added 39,700 jobs. The most significant gains occurred in trade, transportation and utilities (+26,300), education and health services (+16,200), and professional and business services (+5,100). Also showing improvement were other services (+1,800), information (+1,600).

Over-the-year declines were posted in leisure and hospitality (-6,300), government (-3,500), and financial activities (-1,500). Goods-producing industries increased 19,900.

Manufacturing gained 19,300 jobs through expansion in durable goods (+16,300) and nondurable goods (+3,000). Construction added 400 jobs while mining and logging employment increased 200.