Ohio’s unemployment rate dropped again in April, this time to a level not seen in 17 years.
The state’s jobless rate for April dropped to 4.3 percent, which is the lowest level since July 2001, where the rate sat at just 4.2 percent. With this month’s numbers, Ohio edges that much closer to the national employment rate of 3.9 percent.
Northeast Ohio economist George Zeller says the latest numbers show more job growth in Ohio in the first four months of this year than in all of 2017, which was the weakest job growth year since the Great Recession. But he says one thing hasn’t changed: the state’s job growth rate remains below the national level, something that’s been true for more than five years.
Zeller is also very concerned about May’s numbers, which will reflect mass layoffs planned at the General Motors assembly plant in Lordstown.
The state's Job and Family Services Department says Ohio's nonagricultural wage and salary employment decreased by 1,000 jobs from March to April.
Ohio reported job gains in sectors that include trade transportation and utilities; professional and business services; other services; and information. Employment losses were reported in leisure and hospitality; financial activities; and educational and health services.
Government employment in Ohio decreased by 1,400 jobs in April.
