COLUMBUS, Ohio (AVC News) — Ohio’s unemployment rate fell to 3.6% in June, remaining below the national unemployment rate as the state’s latest jobless claims also showed a decline.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Ohio’s June unemployment rate was down from 3.7% in May and below the national rate of 4.2%.
Ohio’s labor force participation rate was 61.6% in June, slightly higher than the national rate of 61.5%.
Unemployment rates varied across the region, with several area counties reporting rates above the statewide average.
Noble and Monroe counties recorded the highest unemployment rates among the counties reviewed, at 4.7%. Both ranked 81st among Ohio’s 88 counties.
Jefferson County had a 4.4% unemployment rate, ranking 77th statewide. Guernsey, Harrison and Belmont counties each reported unemployment rates of 4.1%, with all three ranking 68th statewide. Coshocton County’s unemployment rate was 4.0%, ranking 64th. Perry and Morgan counties each reported rates of 3.9%, ranking 57th statewide, while Washington County’s rate was 3.8%, ranking 51st. Muskingum County reported a 3.4% unemployment rate, ranking 24th statewide, while Tuscarawas County had the lowest rate among the area counties at 3.3%, ranking 19th.
The latest unemployment claims data from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services also showed fewer new claims being filed.
For the week of Aug. 2 through Aug. 8, Ohioans filed 4,166 initial unemployment claims, a decrease of 251 from the previous week.
ODJFS said about 835 of those initial claims were flagged for more stringent identity verification as the state works to prevent fraudulent claims.
Ohioans also filed 41,557 continued unemployment claims during the week, down 710 from the previous week. Combined, Ohio recorded 45,723 unemployment claims during the week.
The June BLS data showed Ohio’s civilian labor force at approximately 5.88 million people, including about 5.67 million employed and 208,900 unemployed.
Total nonfarm employment stood at approximately 5.69 million jobs in June, up slightly from May and about 0.4% higher than a year earlier.
Several major industries recorded year-over-year employment gains.
Construction employment reached approximately 270,700 jobs, up 4.6% from June 2025. Manufacturing employment totaled about 683,400 jobs, an increase of 0.9%.
Education and health services remained one of Ohio’s largest employment sectors, with nearly 1 million jobs and an increase of 0.8% over the year.
Professional and business services employment increased 0.4%, while trade, transportation and utilities employment was up 0.2%.
Other industries experienced declines, including information, financial activities, government and other services.
Leisure and hospitality employment was relatively stable, increasing 0.2% over the year.
ODJFS works with local workforce development boards and staff at 88 OhioMeansJobs Centers across the state to provide employment and training services.
OhioMeansJobs Centers can assist job seekers with finding employment, career and skills assessments, resumes and interview preparation. Employers can also receive assistance finding qualified workers, screening resumes and identifying available tax credits and training programs.
ODJFS encourages Ohioans to file unemployment claims online when possible and provides resources for reporting suspected unemployment identity theft or fraud.
The latest figures indicate Ohio’s unemployment rate remains below the national level, while unemployment rates across the region range from 3.3% in Tuscarawas County to 4.7% in Noble and Monroe counties.
Last Updated on August 18, 2026 by AVC News
