Oregon’s unemployment rate was little changed at 5.0% in September and 5.1% in August. It has held to a tight range between 5.0% and 5.3% for the past 19 months, since March 2025 when it was 5.0%. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.2% in September and 4.1% in August.
In September, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment rose by 5,800 jobs, following a revised gain of 2,600 jobs in August. September’s gains were largest in construction (+2,000 jobs); health care and social assistance (+1,700); and leisure and hospitality (+1,300). Losses were largest in retail trade (-1,500 jobs).
In the past 12 months, payroll employment rose by 2,600 jobs, or 0.1%. Health care and social assistance continued its rapid growth during the past four years by adding 12,100 jobs, or 3.8%, in the past 12 months. Other services (+1,600 jobs, or 2.4%) and private education (+1,300, or 3.6%) were the other major industries that added the most jobs since September 2025. Manufacturing (-4,300 jobs, or -2.4%) cut the most jobs in that time, followed by government (-4,000 jobs, or -1.3%).
Construction employment drifted upward during April through August, then jumped higher by 2,000 jobs in September. In the past 12 months, each of the three component industries expanded: construction of buildings (+900 jobs); specialty trade contractors (+500); and heavy and civil engineering construction (+100).
Several industries rebounded over the most recent two months. Government added 1,300 jobs since July, following losses in prior months. Nonetheless, it has cut 4,000 jobs in the past 12 months. Manufacturing added 1,700 jobs since July, partially reversing steady declines during the past three years. Leisure and hospitality’s September gain reversed losses in June and July.
Next Press Releases
The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the September county and metropolitan area unemployment and jobs data on Tuesday, Oct. 20, and the next statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for October on Wednesday, Nov. 18.
About Workforce and Economic Research
The Workforce and Economic Research Division of the Oregon Employment Department develops and distributes quality economic and workforce information to help Oregonians make informed decisions and support a thriving economy. Staff collect data from state and federal records and surveys; analyze the available information; and share insights with the public in a variety of ways, including regular reports, publications, and the website, QualityInfo.org.