Oregon Unemployment Rate Held Steady in September

The state unemployment rate settled at 5.0% as Oregon employers added 5,800 nonfarm payroll jobs during the month.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Employment

Oregon Unemployment Rate Held Steady in September

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Oregon maintained a 5.0% unemployment rate in September 2026, a slight decline from the 5.1% recorded in August. Total nonfarm payroll employment across the state grew by 5,800 jobs during the same period.

Why it matters

Employment fluctuations reflect the underlying strength of the regional labor market compared to national trends. Monitoring these figures provides insight into the state's economic trajectory as industries experience varied growth and contraction cycles.

The state saw a net increase of 5,800 nonfarm jobs in September, with construction adding 2,000 positions and health care gaining 1,700. Conversely, retail trade employment declined by 1,500 jobs during the month.

The details

Job growth in construction accelerated in September following gradual gains observed since April. While private sectors like leisure and hospitality added 1,300 jobs, manufacturing and government sectors have faced notable declines over the past 12 months, losing 4,300 and 4,000 jobs respectively.

March 2025: The state unemployment rate was 5.0%.
August 2026: The state unemployment rate was 5.1%.
September 2026: The state unemployment rate was 5.0%.

Macro View

This employment report mirrors historical recovery cycles where periodic sector-specific job losses contrast with overall payroll growth. The current data reflects a stabilization phase compared to past years of more volatile labor market shifts.

The steady unemployment rate suggests a stable environment for job seekers, though specific sectors like retail may show reduced hiring demand. Families should note that while payrolls are growing, ongoing losses in manufacturing and government may influence local wage growth.

The takeaway

Workers should remain aware of which industries are expanding to optimize career planning during this period of mixed growth. Balancing skill development toward growing sectors like construction can help navigate the shifts in the state job market.