COLUMBUS – Ohio’s unemployment rate was 4.2 percent in October, unchanged from September, as the state experienced a second straight month of job losses.
Employment decreased by 1,000 jobs from a revised 5.593 million in September to 5.592 million in October, according to monthly data released Friday by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
The jobless rate has increased or remained steady in four of the last five months since dropping to a low point of the year at 4.0 percent in June and July and remains higher than the national rate of 3.6 percent.
The number of workers unemployed grew by 3,000 while the unemployment rate has declined from 4.7 percent in January.
Job losses in manufacturing, construction and the service sector negated increases in government hiring. Manufacturing lost 2,300 jobs from September to October while the construction sector lost 1,000 jobs. Private sector service jobs declined by 800 jobs.
The number of working Ohioans was 19,600 higher than October 2018.