Oregon's Diverse Professional and Business Services

Oregon's professional and business services industry includes a diverse mix of occupations at the top and the bottom of the wage scale, as well as occupations which require very little education and those that require advanced degrees. There are more than 465 occupations represented in this industry.

In 1990, employment in professional and business services accounted for 8.2 percent of Oregon's nonfarm payroll employment. By 2007, the industry made up 11.6 percent of total nonfarm payroll employment in Oregon, making it the fourth largest private-sector industry. It was the second-fastest-growing industry in terms of employment over that 17-year period.

During the recession (from December 2007 to December 2009), the industry lost 28,900 jobs (-14.4%), which was more than double the state's rate of total employment loss.

Although dramatic job loss occurred in this industry, the overall number of firms in the industry has grown. In 2007, there were 19,616 firms in professional and business services in Oregon; by 2009, there were 20,113 firms in the industry statewide. This is a groth of 2.5 percent. At the same time, the state lost 1.5 percent of all firms.

Read more about the professional and business services industry in the full article, written by Regional Economist Carolyn Eagan from Central Oregon (Carolyn.B.Eagan@state.or.us (541) 388-6442).