State’s unemployment decreases again

ODJFS information

Ohio’s unemployment rate was 5.3 percent in October 2014, down from 5.6 percent in September 2014. Ohio’s nonfarm wage and salary employment increased 1,000 over the month, from a revised 5,306,300 in September to 5,307,300 in October.

The number of workers unemployed in Ohio in October was 305,000, down 14,000 from 319,000 in September. The number of unemployed has decreased by 119,000 in the past 12 months from 424,000. The October unemployment rate for Ohio was down from 7.4 percent in October 2013.

The U.S. unemployment rate for October was 5.8 percent, down from 5.9 percent in September, and down from 7.2 percent in October 2013.

Total Nonagricultural Wage and Salary Employment (Seasonally Adjusted)

Ohio’s nonagricultural wage and salary employment increased 1,000 over the month, from a revised 5,306,300 in September to 5,307,300 in October, according to the latest business establishment survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor (Bureau of Labor Statistics) in cooperation with ODJFS.

Employment in goods-producing industries, at 874,400, decreased 3,900 from September due to losses in construction (-2,800) and manufacturing (-1,200). Mining and logging added 100 jobs over the month. The private service-providing sector, at 3,675,800, added 12,300 jobs mainly in leisure and hospitality (+9,600).

Gains were also seen in professional and business services (+1,800), educational and health services (+1,100), financial activities (+1,000), and information (+100). Employment losses occurred in trade, transportation, and utilities (-700) and other services 
(-600). Government employment, at 757,100, decreased 7,400 with losses in state (-4,500), local 
(-2,500), and federal (-400) government.

From October 2013 to October 2014, nonagricultural wage and salary employment increased 37,600. Goods-producing industries added 13,500 jobs. Manufacturing added 13,700 jobs in durable goods (+12,400) and non-durable goods (+1,300). Mining and logging employment increased 800. Construction employment decreased 1,000. The private service-providing sector added 26,000 jobs over the year. Employment gains occurred in professional and business services (+12,500), educational and health services (+11,000), leisure and hospitality (+4,700), trade, transportation, and utilities (+1,800), and other services (+1,800).

Employment declined in financial activities (-3,700) and information (-2,100). Government employment decreased 1,900 as job losses in local (-2,000) and federal (-500) government exceeded job gains in state government (+600).