Oregon's New Job Holders

As Oregon's recovery continues, the number of new Oregon job holders continues to increase. New Oregon job holders are those who worked during the fourth quarter of 2013, but had not worked in Oregon since at least 1990. It's likely that individuals in this group are holding their first job in the state -- either by moving here and getting a job, or joining the ranks of the Oregon workforce for the first time.

Between the fourth quarters of 2013 and 2014, Oregon had a gain of nearly 11 percent in new job holders. That's an increase from 34,600 new job holders to 38,400. Perhaps even more interesting is that the change in the number of new Oregon job holders began to decline in the fourth quarter of 2006, about one year before the Great Recession began.

There can be many explanations for the drop in the number of new Oregon job holders that occurred late in 2006. If one reason is that Oregon employers were concerned about their future need for these workers, this measure could serve as a sign for future recessions.

You can find more information about new Oregon job holders in the quarterly Oregonians at Work summary, written by Regional Economist Erik Knoder.