Ohio added 61,000 jobs last year. Employment at record highs in the Buckeye State
Jan. 26—Ohio ended 2024 on a four-month streak of job growth, capping off a strong year for payroll gains where employment levels climbed to new heights, according to new labor survey data.
The state's employment growth accelerated slightly in December, with employers creating 6,800 new jobs (0.1%), says seasonally adjusted data from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
Ohio's nonfarm payrolls increased by 5,200 workers in November (0.1%); 3,900 in October (0.1%); and 13,500 in September (0.2%).
The Buckeye State netted 61,400 new jobs in 2024, up from 58,800 in 2023.
Last year, the state only saw job declines twice, in August (-6,300 jobs) and January (-300). Ohio saw job reductions four times in 2023.
Rea Hederman Jr., vice president of policy at the conservative leaning Buckeye Institute, said the state saw steady job growth last year, notably in the private sector.
"Although not a strong ending to the year, Ohio's job market is in fine shape as we start the New Year," he said. "Compared to the national job market, which strengthened slightly in December, the Ohio market ended weaker than the national average after showing signs of improvement in the fall."
Ohio continues to set new records for total employment. Nonfarm employment, pre-pandemic, peaked at 5.610 million workers in January 2020, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data that goes back to 1990.
After massive job losses early in the COVID crisis, the state's labor market rebounded. Ohio hit a new record high of 5.613 million jobs in May 2023.
The state consistently has set new records. About 5.691 million people in Ohio had a job last month.
Policy Matters Ohio says while the state's job gains signal a robust economy, the unemployment rate continues to rise.
The liberal leaning policy research group says Ohio employers have struggled to keep up with the number of job-seekers entering the labor force.
Ohio's unemployment rate increased 0.1 percentage point in December to 4.4%.
The national unemployment rate fell 0.1 percentage point last month.
Molly Bryden, a researcher with Policy Matters Ohio, said she's worried about rising inflation and potential price increases due to tariffs proposed by the Trump administration.
"Ohioans will have to navigate an uncertain economy in the coming months (or years)," Bryden said in a statement.
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