Ohio unemployment rate rises to 3.4 percent in September

Ohio’s unemployment rate increased slightly in September as the state lost 5,000 jobs during the month.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services reported the state’s unemployment rate was 3.4 percent in September, up from 3.3 percent in August.

The number of unemployed Ohio workers increased by 1,000 to 196,000. However, that total was 62,000 lower than in September 2025, when the state’s unemployment rate stood at 4.3 percent.

Ohio’s nonagricultural wage and salary employment decreased from a revised 5,693,300 jobs in August to 5,688,300 in September.

Goods-producing industries lost 4,800 jobs, including 3,100 in construction and 1,800 in manufacturing. Government employment decreased by 3,200, with most of that decline occurring at the local level.

Private service-providing industries added 3,000 jobs. Educational and health services recorded the largest increase, adding 2,800 positions.

Despite the monthly decline, Ohio had 18,700 more nonagricultural jobs than it did one year earlier. Construction added 15,100 jobs over the year, while manufacturing gained 12,300.

Ohio’s September unemployment rate remained below the national rate of 4.2 percent.

The state’s labor-force participation rate declined to 61.2 percent, compared with 61.3 percent in August.

September unemployment rates for Mercer, Auglaize and Ohio’s other counties are scheduled to be released Tuesday, October 20.