Ohio Unemployment Dips to 4.1% in March on Job Gains

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio's unemployment rate dropped to 4.1% in March 2026, down from 4.2% in February, as nonagricultural wage and salary employment climbed by 12,500 jobs to 5,681,700, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. The number of unemployed residents fell to 243,000 from 251,000 the prior month, marking a 45,000 decline over the past year from 288,000. This improvement outpaced the national rate of 4.3%, which eased from 4.4%.[1][3][4] Goods-producing industries added 3,600 jobs to reach 953,400, driven by a 5,300 gain in construction that offset a 1,700 manufacturing dip. The private service-providing sector grew by 6,900 jobs to 3,936,800, with trade, transportation and utilities up 2,500, alongside advances in professional services, leisure and hospitality, and health care. Government employment rose 2,000 to 791,500, led by local and state hires.[1][3] Year-over-year, total employment rose 18,200, with goods-producing sectors gaining 9,000 jobs — construction up 11,200 despite manufacturing's 2,700 loss split between nondurable and durable goods. Private services added 10,800 jobs, though government shed 1,600 amid federal cuts. Labor force participation slipped to 62.1% from 62.2%, mirroring a national dip, as Ohio's working-age population hit 9,543,000.[1][3][5] Contacts Tom Betti and Bill Teets at the Department of Job and Family Services hailed the data as evidence of steady recovery, with Columbus-area logistics hubs and Northeast Ohio factories adapting to supply chain shifts. The trend continues a decline from 4.8% in March 2025, bolstering families in manufacturing strongholds like Youngstown and Toledo.[1][2][3]