Oregon’s unemployment rate was 5.2% in both November and December. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.5% in November and 4.4% in December.
In December, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment dropped by 2,200 jobs, following a gain of 800 jobs, as revised, in November. December’s gains were largest in professional and business services (+1,100 jobs) and government (+500). Losses were largest in construction (-2,500 jobs); retail trade (-900); and transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-900).
Professional and business services added 1,900 jobs during the last two months of 2025, recovering some of the jobs it lost during the first half of the year. Each of its three component industries rose between October and December, with administrative and waste services growing the fastest (+900 jobs, or 0.9%).
Construction cut 3,000 jobs during the last two months of 2025, following relatively strong growth during July through October. At 113,900 jobs in December, it is close to its spring level, and slightly below its three-year average of 116,900 jobs during 2022 through 2024.
Holiday hiring in retail trade was 1,200 jobs below the normal seasonal pattern during the last two months of the year. Since early 2023, retail trade has trended downward. It employed 199,200 in December, which was 11,300 jobs, or 5.4%, below three years prior.
Transportation, warehousing, and utilities cut 1,400 jobs during November and December, following growth of a similar amount during the summer. It employed 78,200 in December, which was close to its three-year average of 78,500 jobs during 2022 through 2024.