Overall unemployment rate stayed flat at 5.1% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 4,100 roles, based on the most recently available information published in July 2021.

Total employment in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA market rose by 2,274 jobs in June and the unemployment rate stayed flat. The national unemployment rate increased by 60 bps over the same time to 6.1%.

  • Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA unemployment rate is 99 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 580 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in June versus prior month by 1.7% and are down 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 June 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.9% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 222,200; +1,900
  • Business Services: 192,100; +400
  • Education & Healthcare: 178,500; +100
  • Government: 144,900; +500
  • Manufacturing: 121,400; +1,500
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 97,300; +4,100
  • Construction, Mining: 78,400; +1,700
  • Financial Services: 71,700; -200
  • Other Jobs: 39,000; +500
  • IT & Development: 25,400; -400
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Unemployment by Industry June 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through June 2021 (Data published July 2021 and reports created on July 28, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.