Ohio unemployment up slightly to 10.6 percent

Ohio's unemployment rate was 10.6 percent in November, up slightly from 10.5 percent in October, according to data released Dec. 18 by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Ohio's nonfarm wage and salary employment increased 5,400 over the month, from 5,104,000 in October to 5,109,400 in November.

"The number of employed Ohioans rose slightly in November, but not enough to produce a significant change in the unemployment rate," ODJFS Director Douglas Lumpkin said.  "An increase in service-providing employment was partially offset by a slight decrease in goods-producing jobs."

The number of workers unemployed in Ohio in November was 623,000, up from 618,000 in October. The number of unemployed has increased by 199,000 in the past 12 months from 424,000. The November unemployment rate for Ohio was up from 7.1 percent in November 2008.

The U.S. unemployment rate for November was 10.0 percent, down from 10.2 percent in October.

Total Nonagricultural Wage and Salary Employment (Seasonally Adjusted)

Ohio's nonagricultural wage and salary employment, at 5,109,400 in November, was 5,400 above the October level, according to the latest business establishment survey conducted by ODJFS.

Service-providing industries increased 9,900 to 4,307,200. Professional and business services rose 9,900, while other services advanced 3,400. Also up were information (+500) and educational and health services (+100). Trade, transportation, and utilities was down 1,800. Declines were also noted in leisure and hospitality (-1,000), financial activities (-800), and government (-400). Goods-producing employment fell 4,500 over the month to 802,200. Losses in durable goods (-4,500) and nondurable goods (-1,900) lowered manufacturing 6,400. Construction employment was up 1,900. Mining and logging was little changed.

Over the past 12 months, nonfarm wage and salary employment fell 193,600. Goods-producing industries were down 128,200. Manufacturing dropped 106,100 due to losses in durable goods (-88,600) and nondurable goods (-17,500). Construction declined 21,700, while mining and logging decreased 400. Service-providing industries lost 65,400 jobs. Trade, transportation, and utilities declined 33,800. Also down were professional and business services (-14,300), financial activities (-12,600), information (-8,600), leisure and hospitality (-3,200), and government (-2,800). Educational and health services advanced 9,600. Other services increased 300.