Oregon’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.2% in both November and December, according to the Oregon Employment Department, even as overall job totals declined at the end of the year.
While Oregon’s jobless rate stayed steady, the U.S. unemployment rate slipped slightly, moving from 4.5% in November to 4.4% in December.
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In December, Oregon’s nonfarm payroll employment dropped by 2,200 jobs overall. The biggest setback came from the construction sector, which recorded the steepest monthly decline, losing 2,500 jobs.
Other parts of the economy also posted decreases, though not as sharply as construction.
Despite the statewide decline, a few industries showed growth. The professional and business services sector added 1,100 jobs, while government employment grew by 500 jobs, helping cushion the broader losses.
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Retail trade saw a 900-job decline in December, continuing a downward slide that has been underway since early 2023. Employment in the sector is now 5.4% lower than it was three years ago, showing that retailers remain under pressure.
The transportation, warehousing and utilities sector also lost 900 jobs during the month. Even with the reduction, employment levels in that category remain close to the sector’s three-year average, indicating some stability despite recent shifts.
The Oregon Employment Department is expected to release December county and metro unemployment figures on Jan. 27, offering a more detailed look at how job trends are affecting different parts of the state.
The agency also notes that support services are available for job seekers and residents, including interpreters and materials in alternative formats.
Originally reported by Newsroom Staff in KDTV.
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