Overall unemployment rate moved down to 6.3% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 8,600 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2021.

Total employment in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA market rose by 9,211 jobs in March and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 6.3%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 38 bps over the same time to 6.2%.

  • Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA unemployment rate is 12 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 230 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in March versus prior month by 4.2% 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 March 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.3% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 221,500; +1,300
  • Business Services: 186,900; +1,100
  • Education & Healthcare: 180,000; +700
  • Government: 141,900; -1,000
  • Manufacturing: 121,500; +1,300
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 85,400; +8,600
  • Construction, Mining: 72,400; +2,000
  • Financial Services: 70,700; +100
  • Other Jobs: 38,200; +500
  • IT & Development: 25,000; -300
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Unemployment by Industry March 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through March 2021 (Data published April 2021 and reports created on April 29, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.