Overall unemployment rate moved down to 6.1% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 4,900 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2021.

Total employment in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA market rose by 8,850 jobs in April and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 30 bps to 6.1%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 43 bps over the same time to 5.7%.

  • Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA unemployment rate is 35 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 700 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in April versus prior month by 0.6% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Unemployment April 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.6% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 219,900; -1,200
  • Business Services: 188,200; +500
  • Education & Healthcare: 180,200; -1,000
  • Government: 143,700; +1,900
  • Manufacturing: 119,000; -600
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 90,300; +4,900
  • Construction, Mining: 73,300; +1,400
  • Financial Services: 71,200; +100
  • Other Jobs: 38,700; +500
  • IT & Development: 25,200; +300
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Unemployment by Industry April 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through April 2021 (Data published June 2021 and reports created on June 2, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.