Oregon (Un)Employment Down in March

This morning the Oregon Employment Department released the employment estimates and unemployment rate for March*. Employment increased 4,600 from February to March, but the growth was 2,500 jobs short of what we expect to see at this time of year.

Meanwhile, the statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 10.0 percent, its lowest point in more than two years. Oregon's unemployment rate has gradually drifted downward from the recession peak of 11.6 percent in May and June of 2009. However, the jobless rate in Oregon sits 1.2 percentage points above the U.S. rate.

In March, Oregon saw the largest employment declines in construction (-1,200 jobs) and trade, transportation, and utilities (-1,100). Industries with the largest month-to-month gains included: professional and business services (+800); educational and health services (+500); and financial activities (+500).

Industries with strong employment gains during the year included professional and business services (+7,400 jobs); educational and health services (+5,300); manufacturing (+3,900); and trade, transportation, and utilities (+3,900).

Get all the details in the full press release!

*Employment estimates are nonfarm payroll figures from the Current Employment Statistics. Unless otherwise indicated, the employment data and unemployment rates in this post are seasonally adjusted.