(1-28-26) Ohio’s unemployment rate was 4.5% in December 2025, unchanged from 4.5% in November 2025. Ohio’s nonagricultural wage and salary employment increased 3,500 over the month, from a revised 5,705,400 in November to 5,708,900 in December.

Household Survey Data
The number of workers unemployed in Ohio in December was 265,000, down from 270,000 in November 2025. The number of unemployed has remained unchanged in the past 12 months from 265,000. The November unemployment rate for Ohio remained unchanged from 4.5% in December 2024.

The U.S. unemployment rate for December 2025 was 4.4%, down from 4.5% in November 2025 and up from 4.1% in December 2024.

In December 2025, the labor force participation rate in Ohio was 62.3%, unchanged from 62.3% in November 2025 and down from 62.4% in December 2024. During the same period, the national labor force participation rate was 62.4%, down from 62.5% in November 2025 and down from 62.5% in December 2024.

Ohio County Unemployment Rates

Mercer County is tied with Holmes County with lowest unemployment in Ohio at 2.8%.

Area county rates:

  • Auglaize County 3.2%
  • Shelby County 3.6%
  • Van Wert County 3.6%
  • Darke County 3.8%
  • Logan County 3.9%
  • Allen County4.5%
  • Hardin County 4.6%

Highest county rates:

  • Pike County 6.7%
  • Ottawa County 6.5%
  • Meigs County 6.4%
  • Huron County 6.3%