Ohio Unemployment Rate Drops To 3.9 Percent In April

Ohio’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.9 percent in April 2026, down from 4.1 percent in March, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

The number of unemployed workers in Ohio was 232,000 in April, down from 243,000 in March. Over the past year, the number of unemployed workers in the state has dropped by 52,000, from 284,000 in April 2025.

Ohio’s unemployment rate is also down from 4.8 percent one year ago.

The national unemployment rate was 4.3 percent in April, unchanged from March and up slightly from 4.2 percent in April 2025.

Ohio’s nonagricultural wage and salary employment increased by 7,800 jobs over the month, rising from a revised 5,679,300 in March to 5,687,100 in April.

Goods producing industries added 5,200 jobs in April, led by manufacturing, which gained 4,200 jobs, and construction, which gained 1,100.

The private service providing sector added 1,900 jobs, with gains in leisure and hospitality, information, trade, transportation and utilities, financial activities, and private educational and health services.

Government employment increased by 700 jobs over the month.

Over the past year, Ohio’s nonagricultural wage and salary employment increased by 16,600 jobs. Construction led the yearly gains, adding 11,500 jobs.

Ohio’s labor force participation rate was 61.9 percent in April, down from 62.1 percent in March.

County, city and metropolitan area unemployment rates for April will be posted online Wednesday, May 27th. May unemployment rates and employment data for Ohio will be released June 18th.