Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.9% with the biggest shift in Education & Healthcare, which gained 3,500 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2022.

Total employment in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA market rose by 18,297 jobs in February and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 50 bps to 3.9%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 28 bps over the same time to 4.1%.

  • Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA unemployment rate is 24 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 250 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in February versus prior month by 4.1% 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 February 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.2% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 224,100; -800
  • Business Services: 189,000; +3,000
  • Education & Healthcare: 183,100; +3,500
  • Government: 150,800; +1,100
  • Manufacturing: 125,200; +1,100
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 108,600; +1,900
  • Construction, Mining: 77,500; +3,000
  • Financial Services: 74,900; +500
  • Other Jobs: 39,100; +300
  • IT & Development: 27,200; +300
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Unemployment by Industry February 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through February 2022 (Data published April 2022 and reports created on April 6, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.