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 March 2026 jobs report from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

“In March, once again, Ohio saw a decline in its unemployment rate—down from 4.2 percent to 4.1—and a decline in its labor force participation rate—down from 62.2 percent to 62.1. While Ohio’s job market is performing better than the national average, the state’s unemployment decline is mostly due to unemployed Ohioans leaving the workforce.

“However, there is good news in the March report. The payroll survey showed strong private-sector job growth, with 10,500 new jobs and a slight upward revision of 500 more jobs added in February. If this job growth—which mirrors a relatively strong month of hiring nationwide—holds, it will reverse the weakening trend in private-sector job growth reflected in recent jobs reports. 

“The first months of 2026 saw slow job growth in the Buckeye State, but March closed out the first quarter on a positive note. And while national economic growth accelerated in the first quarter of 2026, so did inflation. Higher gas prices and inflation remain a threat to the economy, but for now, Ohio workers are benefiting from an above-average job market. In this climate, policymakers can help workers by adopting policies that build skills and boost workforce training to ensure out-of-work Ohioans are ready for and can find jobs in new high-demand fields.”

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