Why Oregon's State Government Employment is Increasing

Employment in state government rose sharply over the past two years, adding 5,900 jobs between March 2013 and March 2015. What's behind that increase?

Roughly two out of three (3,900) of those added jobs were home care workers paid by the Oregon Department of Human Services to care for the elderly and disabled. The recent opening of a new hospital in Junction City contributed roughly 400 in job gains, and state education (universities) added more than 200 jobs over the two-year period. Much of the remaining job growth occurred at the Department of Human Services and the Oregon Health Authority.

For additional information, contact State Employment Economist Nick Beleiciks.