Buckeye on Ohio’s Jobs Report |
Private-Sector Heats Up in June
Ohio’s June unemployment rate held steady for the third straight month at 4.9 percent, with the labor force participation rate remaining unchanged at 62.7 percent. Overall, Ohio’s job market is weaker than the national average—with an unemployment rate of 4.1 percent and a labor force participation rate of 62.3 percent—with more people in Ohio looking for work but less likely to find jobs.
In a positive sign, Ohio’s private-sector hiring surged in June, adding 11,600 new jobs, erasing the 6,300 job loss in May. A bright spot in the job market, private-sector hiring has averaged 5,000 new hires a month in 2025. Furthermore, Ohio is growing faster than some of our neighboring states, particularly Michigan, which is losing jobs and workers and has a much higher unemployment rate compared to Ohio.
Along with the positive signs, there is concern. Ohio lags the national average and needs to generate more job opportunities for Ohioans. By moving to a low flat tax rate, lawmakers have positioned Ohio for stronger economic growth, and regulatory and energy reforms will attract employers to the Buckeye State, creating more jobs for Ohioans.
