As Labor Day approaches, here are some key labor-related indicators relevant to Ohio manufacturers:

• Ohio currently has an estimated 682,700 manufacturing jobs — about 21,000 fewer than in mid-2019, prior to the pandemic, but 16,000 more than a year ago.
• The average hourly earnings of all Ohio manufacturing employees was nearly $30 as of July.
• Ohio’s initial jobless claims have fallen steadily since early July.
• Ohio’s labor force participation rate continues to trail its pre-pandemic levels.
• Ohio’s unemployment rate stands at a low 3.9% — but the jobless rates of all 88 counties vary widely, as shown by this map.

The OMA salutes the men and women who comprise the powerhouse that is Ohio manufacturing. 9/1/2022