Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.9% with the biggest shift in Education & Healthcare, which gained 2,800 roles, based on the most recently available information published in November 2021.
Total employment in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA market rose by 1,615 jobs in September and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 50 bps to 3.9%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 72 bps over the same time to 4.6%.
- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA unemployment rate is 66 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 390 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in September versus prior month by 3.7% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.1% . Key sectors include:
- Transportation & Utilities: 223,200; -900
- Business Services: 199,400; +2,000
- Education & Healthcare: 180,600; +2,800
- Government: 142,900; +1,500
- Manufacturing: 121,900; +300
- Restaurants & Hotels: 102,100; -1,900
- Construction, Mining: 79,600; -1,900
- Financial Services: 73,100; +700
- Other Jobs: 38,100; -1,300
- IT & Development: 25,700; -600
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through September 2021 (Data published November 2021 and reports created on November 3, 2021). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.