Regional Employment Comparisons in Oregon

As part of an ongoing project, we've been compiling several employment metrics for industries in various sub-state areas across Oregon. So far, we've put together employment, establishment, wage, and location quotient data for most of the western side of the state. Here are two snapshots of what we've found to date.

In terms of private payroll employment, the largest jobs number for any given area is in food services and drinking places. Beyond food services, a health care-related industry made the top three for every area except the South Coast (Coos, Curry, and Douglas counties). Professional and technical services were prominent in Clackamas County, and the employment total for the accommodation industry in Northwest Oregon -- which includes Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook, and Lincoln counties -- hints at the perennial importance of tourism along the coast.

Private utilities was among the highest-paying industries in nearly all areas. The high average wage in Clackamas County's publishing industries is driven by software publishing firms. In Lane County, two manufacturing-related industries made the list.

For more information about employment and wages in Oregon, visit the Industry Employment and Wages page at QualityInfo.org.