Rising Software and Engineering Enrollments in Oregon

An article from The Oregonian reports on the spike in software and engineering enrollments at Oregon universities. Portland State University describes an "enrollment storm" in the engineering school, with almost 300 more students than last year.

The article notes that universities and technology companies across the state have been working for years to increase interest in technical programs, in order to build the pipeline of workers for these industries. Perhaps those efforts are paying off, or as the article states, the growth may stem from the recognition by students that software and engineering (and technical) skills are in high demand from employers.

Analysis from our Research Division here at the Employment Department shows that software jobs pay an average of $92,900 in Oregon, which sits well above the all-industry average wage in the state.

You can find more information in the full article from The Oregonian, or in the analysis written by our Portland-area Regional Economist Amy Vander Vliet.