Columbus, OH – Rea S. Hederman Jr., executive director of the Economic Research Center and vice president of policy at The Buckeye Institute, commented on the September 2026 jobs report from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS).

“Ohio’s unemployment rate ticked up to 3.4 percent in September, and the labor force participation rate fell to 61.2 percent, further evidence that fewer Ohioans are looking for work, and one reason that the state’s unemployment rate is much lower than the national average.

“While private-sector hiring was revised up from the August jobs report, September’s job losses kept private-sector employment flat over the past two months. Ohio’s workers are struggling as inflation-adjusted wages have fallen over the last year. To address this, lawmakers must continue to focus on expanding Ohio’s workforce pipeline, modernizing Ohio’s economic system, and adopting policies that advance upward mobility. By preparing workers and equipping graduates with skills for in-demand jobs, policymakers can ensure better jobs and wages for Ohio’s workers.”

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