Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.1% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 5,200 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2022.

Total employment in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA market rose by 3,605 jobs in May and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 30 bps to 3.1%. The national unemployment rate increased by 4 bps over the same time to 3.4%.

  • Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA unemployment rate is 28 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 220 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in May versus prior month by 7% and are up 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 May 2022

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

  • Transportation & Utilities: 222,600; +1,000
  • Business Services: 193,000; +1,500
  • Education & Healthcare: 184,500; -1,200
  • Government: 152,500; +100
  • Manufacturing: 129,600; +2,300
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 117,400; +5,200
  • Construction, Mining: 80,700; +1,100
  • Financial Services: 75,800; +500
  • Other Jobs: 40,500; +600
  • IT & Development: 27,400; no change
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Unemployment by Industry May 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through May 2022 (Data published June 2022 and reports created on June 29, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.