Jobs & Employment in Ohio

Employment, unemployment, salaries and the labor force.

Total nonfarm payroll jobs
5,666,467
2025 · BLS Current Employment Statistics
Unemployment rate
4.4%
2024 · BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics
Civilian labor force
5,930,118
2024 · BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics
Workers in management, business, science and arts occupations
41.7%
2024 · Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates
Average weekly earnings, private sector
$1,135
2025 · BLS Current Employment Statistics
Workers who work from home
11.9%
2024 · Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates
Labor force participation rate
62.7%
2024 · BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics
Labor force
5.85 M
7th in the U.S.

Historical data

Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.

Unemployment rate

1990–2024
4.5%

Annual average unemployment rate.

Employment

People at work.

Total nonfarm payroll jobs
5,666,467
2025 · BLS Current Employment Statistics
Jobs added
+38,000
2024

Total nonfarm payroll jobs

1990–2025
5,666,467▲ 16%

BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED OHNA).

IndicatorOhioU.S.
Employment (M)2024, BLS5.59161.3

Unemployment

Joblessness.

Unemployment rate
4.4%
2024 · BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics
Unemployed
263,000
Peak (2010)
10.3%

Unemployment rate

1976–2024
4.4%

BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average of seasonally adjusted months (FRED OHUR).

IndicatorOhioU.S.
Unemployment rate (%)2024, BLS4.54.1

Labor Force

Size of the working population.

Civilian labor force
5,930,118
2024 · BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics
Rank
7th in the U.S.
Participation rate
62.4%

Civilian labor force

1976–2024
5,930,118▲ 25%

BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average (FRED OHLF).

IndicatorOhioU.S.
Labor force (M)2024, BLS5.85168.3

Occupations

Largest job categories.

Workers in management, business, science and arts occupations
41.7%
2024 · Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates
Largest sector
Trade, transport & utilities
Manufacturing jobs
680,000
Healthcare jobs
910,000

Workers in management, business, science and arts occupations

2008–2024
41.7%

Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, civilian employed 16+, C24010 (2020 not released).

IndicatorOhioU.S.
Manufacturing share of jobs (%)2024, BLS12.18.0
  • •Ohio is second only to Michigan in motor vehicle assembly employment.

Salaries

Pay levels.

Average weekly earnings, private sector
$1,135
2025 · BLS Current Employment Statistics
Average hourly earnings, private sector
$33
2025 · BLS Current Employment Statistics
Median annual wage
$47,930
Mean annual wage
$59,760
Minimum wage
$10.45 /hr
2024

Average weekly earnings, private sector

2007–2025
$1,135▲ 65%

BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED SMU39000000500000011).

Average hourly earnings, private sector

2007–2025
$33▲ 64%

BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED SMU39000000500000003).

IndicatorOhioU.S.
Median annual wage (USD)2023, BLS4793048060

Remote Work

Working from home.

Workers who work from home
11.9%
2024 · Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates
Avg. commute saved
48 min/day

Workers who work from home

2006–2024
11.9%

Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, share of workers 16+, B08301 (2020 not released).

IndicatorOhioU.S.
Remote work share (%)2023, ACS1518

Workforce Participation

Share of adults in the labor force.

Labor force participation rate
62.7%
2024 · BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics
Participation rate
62.4%
Prime-age (25-54)
82.5%
Women's participation
58.6%

Labor force participation rate

1976–2024
62.7%

BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average (FRED LBSSA39).

IndicatorOhioU.S.
Labor force participation (%)2024, BLS62.462.6

More figures

Unemployment rate
4.5%
2024
Employment
5.59 M
Labor force participation
62.4%
Median annual wage
$47,930
Minimum wage
$10.45 /hr
2024
Remote workers
≈ 15%
Largest sector
Trade, transportation & utilities