Ohio's Unemployment Rate Continues Upward Climb in May

Ohio's unemployment rate continued to rise during the month of May, inching ever so closely to 11 percent. According to data released Friday morning by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, the state's unemployment rate was at 10.8 percent in May, which was up from 10.2 percent in April.

Ohio's non-farm wage and salary employment decreased from 5,132,900 in April to 5,132,700 in May. County, city and metropolitan area unemployment rates for May will be available next week on June 23.

The number of unemployed workers in Ohio during may was at 646,000, which is up from 609,000 in April. In just the past 12 months, the number of unemployed has increased by 268,000, or 71 percent.

Goods-producing industries employment fell 15,600 to 816,000. A gain in nondurable goods offset a decline in manufacturing employment, caused by a loss of 17,400 jobs in durable goods. Construction added 400 jobs, mining and logging added 100, and service industries added 15,400 positions. Government employment fell by 600 jobs.

The unemployment rate in Ohio is much higher than the national rate. The national rate was 9.4 percent in May, which was up from 8.9 percent in April. Back in Tags: