April: Modest job gains and single-digit unemployment

This morning the Oregon Employment Department released the April unemployment rate and total nonfarm payroll employment numbers*. The big news: the state's unemployment rate (9.6% in April) hit its lowest point since December 2008.
On the employment side, the state gained 1,600 jobs in April. The private sector added 2,500 jobs over the month, while government shed 900. The largest gains over the month occurred in leisure and hospitality (+3,100 jobs), followed by educational and health services (+1,400) and manufacturing (+1,200). Manufacturing has added 4,900 jobs statewide since December 2010. Industries with large declines in April included professional and business services (-2,000) and financial activities (-1,300).

From April 2010 to April 2011, only two broad industry sectors posted a drop in employment: financial activities (-1,200 jobs or -1.3%) and government (-3,200 or -1.1%). Total nonfarm employment rose by 24,300 jobs (+1.5%) over the year.

Get more information in the full press release!

*Unless otherwise noted, all numbers in this post are seasonally adjusted.