Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.4% with the biggest shift in Government, which gained 6,300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in December 2021.
Total employment in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA market rose by 15,020 jobs in October and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 60 bps to 3.4%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 30 bps over the same time to 4.3%.
- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA unemployment rate is 86 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 330 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in October versus prior month by 5% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.3% . Key sectors include:
- Transportation & Utilities: 226,000; +2,800
- Business Services: 201,000; +2,100
- Education & Healthcare: 181,500; +500
- Government: 149,600; +6,300
- Manufacturing: 122,800; +1,200
- Restaurants & Hotels: 104,200; +1,800
- Construction, Mining: 81,700; +800
- Financial Services: 72,400; -700
- Other Jobs: 38,300; -600
- IT & Development: 26,900; +700
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through October 2021 (Data published December 2021 and reports created on December 2, 2021). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.