Buckeye Reporter

Rea S. Hederman Jr., executive director of the Economic Research Center and vice president of policy at The Buckeye Institute, has commented on the latest jobs report from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

“Ohio’s June unemployment rate held steady for the third straight month at 4.9 percent, with the labor force participation rate remaining unchanged at 62.7 percent," said Hederman. He noted that Ohio's job market is weaker than the national average, which has an unemployment rate of 4.1 percent and a labor force participation rate of 62.3 percent.

“In a positive sign, Ohio’s private-sector hiring surged in June, adding 11,600 new jobs, erasing the 6,300 job loss in May," he continued. "A bright spot in the job market, private-sector hiring has averaged 5,000 new hires a month in 2025."

Hederman pointed out that Ohio is growing faster than some neighboring states like Michigan, which is losing jobs and workers and has a higher unemployment rate compared to Ohio.

“Along with the positive signs, there is concern," he added. "Ohio lags the national average and needs to generate more job opportunities for Ohioans." He emphasized that recent moves to implement a low flat tax rate have positioned Ohio for stronger economic growth and suggested that regulatory and energy reforms will attract employers to create more jobs in the state.