State unemployment rate at 6.8 percent

Ohio's unemployment rate was 6.8 percent in November, down slightly from 6.9 percent in October, according to data released this morning by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS).

Ohio's nonfarm wage and salary employment increased 1,600 over the month from the revised 5,195,900 in October to 5,197,500 in November.

The number of workers unemployed in Ohio in November was 391,000, down from 396,000 in October. The number of unemployed has decreased by 79,000 in the past 12 months from 470,000. The November unemployment rate for Ohio was down from 8.1 percent in November 2011.

The U.S. unemployment rate for November was 7.7 percent, down from 7.9 percent in October, and down from 8.7 percent in November 2011.

Total Nonagricultural Wage and Salary Employment (Seasonally Adjusted)

Ohio's nonagricultural wage and salary employment increased 1,600 over the month, from a revised 5,195,900 in October to 5,197,500 in November, according to the latest business establishment survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor (Bureau of Labor Statistics) in cooperation with ODJFS.

Goods-producing industries, at 848,400, gained 3,700 jobs from October. Manufacturing added 4,700 jobs, construction lost 1,000 jobs, and mining and logging remained unchanged over the month.

Service-providing industries lost 2,100 jobs over the month to 4,349,100. Job losses occurred in leisure and hospitality (-5,400), other services (-3,000), government (-2,100), professional and business services (-1,800), and information (-100). Gains were seen in trade, transportation, and utilities (+8,000), financial activities (+2,000), and educational and health services (+300).

From November 2011 to November 2012, nonagricultural wage and salary employment rose by 100,400. Service-providing industries added 83,000 jobs. The gains occurred in educational and health services (+25,100), trade, transportation, and utilities (+20,000), professional and business services (+18,000), leisure and hospitality (+8,700), financial activities (+7,500), and other services (+6,800).

Over-the-year declines were posted in government (-2,200) and information (-900). Goods-producing industries increased 17,400. Manufacturing gained 15,300 jobs through expansions in durable goods (+8,800) and nondurable goods (+6,500). Construction added 2,900 jobs. Mining and logging employment decreased 800.

NOTE: All data cited are produced in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor.