COLUMBUS – The unemployment rate in Ohio dropped for the second consecutive month, to 5.1 percent in October, its lowest level since June, according to data released by the state Friday morning.
The jobless rate fell from 5.3 percent in September as Ohio employers added 4,300 jobs, bringing the total number of Ohioans who reported they were working to 5.55 million, 56,000 more than one year ago, according to a monthly report from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
The statewide rate continued to be higher than the national rate of 4.1 percent.
The number of workers unemployed in Ohio in October was down 9,000 from September but has increased by 11,000 in the past 12 months as 67,000 workers have joined the labor force.
The jobless rate in October 2016 was 5.0 percent.
Gains in manufacturing outweighed losses in construction and mining and logging while the government sector added 3,300 jobs.
Losses in educational and health services, leisure and hospitality, professional and business services, and financial activities outweighed gains in other areas of the service sector.