Ohio job market 2025: Why Is Ohio’s Unemployment Rate Still So High Despite Job Growth?
Columbus, Ohio – Ohio continues to experience one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, ranking sixth nationwide, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. While the national unemployment rate is 4.1%, Ohio’s stands at 4.9%, raising questions about the strength and direction of the state’s job market.
But is this number the full story?
Rea Hederman, Executive Director of the Economic Research Center at the Buckeye Institute, explains that the rise may reflect more Ohioans re-entering the labor force. “The silver lining is that more people are actively looking for work, which temporarily increases the unemployment rate,” he said. In June alone, the state’s private sector added over 11,000 new jobs.
However, not all experts are optimistic. Policy Matters Ohio highlights a growing concern over job quality and availability. Researcher Molly Bryden notes that while participation in the workforce increased over the past year, growth has recently slowed, possibly due to doubts about finding stable, well-paying jobs with good benefits.
Looking ahead, Ohio State University economics professor Bruce Weinberg advocates for long-term investment in workforce education and manufacturing. As automation and AI reshape the job market, he emphasizes the need to reskill displaced workers and prepare the next generation for high-tech employment opportunities.
Ohio’s next unemployment update, based on national data, is due later this month. For continued coverage on Ohio’s economy and job trends
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