COLUMBUS – Ohio’s unemployment rate in July edged up to 4.6 percent in July, its highest point since January.
The increase from June’s 4.5 percent was the second straight monthly increase and came as employers added 7,600 jobs to 5.6 million, according to a survey by the state and the federal Department of Labor.
The number of unemployed Ohioans grew by 6,000 as 3,000 people joined the work force, the fifth straight increase.
The biggest gains in employment came in manufacturing, construction, educational and health services, leisure and hospitality, which exceeded losses in professional and business services and government.
The state has added more than 82,000 jobs since July 2017, when the unemployment rate was 5.1 percent. The gains have been powered by manufacturing, construction, services and state government.
The U.S. unemployment rate for July was 3.9 percent.