Recently, Klamath County employers have been actively recruiting health care professionals, while health care related educational offerings have expanded at postsecondary institutions. According to data for the first quarter of 2009, the hard work seems to have paid off. During the first three months of 2009, the industry with the most private-sector jobs in the county was health care and social assistance. The industry has added jobs steadily since the beginning of the decade, and in 2008 salaries in the industry were about the highest in the county.
In 2002, jobs in health care and social assistance exceeded the number of jobs in manufacturing for the first time in the county's history. Wages at that time in health care and social assistance were still, on average, lower than in those paid in manufacturing. Historically in Klamath County, jobs in manufacturing were among the best paid. It took another six years, but in 2008, the average pay in health care and social assistance exceeded the average pay in manufacturing. If the trends continue, it appears that in Klamath County, health care and social assistance may be the post-manufacturing era industry.
This article was written by Central Oregon Regional Economist Carolyn Eagan. Check out more information about economic events in Central Oregon and Southern Oregon.
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