Long-Term Employment Projections Show Broad-Based Job Growth in Oregon

This morning the Oregon Employment Department released its 10-year industry and occupational employment projections. Forecasters expect Oregon to add 258,000 jobs between 2012 and 2022. This represents a 15 percent increase in employment over the decade.

The growth stems from anticipated private-sector gains of 232,000 jobs (17%), and the addition of 26,000 jobs (9%) in government. The projected 15 percent growth rate by 2022 exceeds the 6 percent job growth seen over the past decade. 

Job opportunities span across all private-sector industry groups; all are expected to add jobs by 2022. The state's professional and business services sector -- which consists of computer systems design services, temporary employment agencies, business support services, and other firms -- is projected to add the most jobs (47,000), followed closely by the health care industry (45,000). Oregon's construction industry is projected to grow at the fastest rate (29%), due in part to a late rebound from tremendous recessionary job losses.

Federal government is the only major industry sector expected to shed jobs over the decade, largely due to losses in postal employment.

In addition to the 258,000 jobs from businesses opening or expanding, Oregon employers will also need sufficiently trained workers for the 392,000 openings due to the need to replace those leaving occupations for retirement or other reasons. Between 2012 and 2022, there will be job openings in almost all occupations. Health care and construction occupations tend to be the ones growing fastest, driven in large part by the aging population and construction's recession-recovery timing.

One-third of job openings typically require education beyond high school for entry into the occupation. More than half (58%) of all projected job openings require some sort of education beyond high school to be competitive in the hiring process. A bachelor's or advanced degree will be needed for roughly one-fourth (27%) of job openings at the competitive level.

Regional projections are also available from the Employment Department. The fastest growth will occur in the Portland tri-county area (16%) and Central Oregon (16%). All projections can be found at QualityInfo.org. Select a region from the map and look in the Publications tab for statewide and regional projections by industry and occupation for 2012 to 2022.

Audio clips for this news release are also available at tinyurl.com/ProjectionsPressRelease