December 15, 2020 3:35 a.m.
Oregon’s unemployment rate dropped to 6.0 percent in November, down from 6.8 percent, as revised, in October.
A release from the Oregon Employment Department said this put the state’s rate below the U.S. unemployment rate, which dropped to 6.7 percent in November, from 6.9 percent in October.
On November 18th, Oregon implemented a “freeze” to combat the rise of COVID-19 in the state. The release covers the state’s employment situation just prior to the ongoing freeze. That freeze has affected employers and tens of thousands of workers in recent weeks, according to State Employment Economist Gail Krumenauer.
Oregon’s total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 4,200 jobs in November, following a revised gain of 9,800 jobs in October. Oregon employers added jobs in each of the past seven months. The state has recovered 46 percent of the jobs cut in March and April. The release said over the past five months, the rate of job growth slowed. Monthly growth averaged 9,600 jobs in September and October, while more rapid gains averaging 17,000 per month, occurred in July and August.
Over-the-month job gains in November were largest in transportation, warehousing and utilities which each gained 3,100 jobs. Professional and business services added 2,600 jobs. Manufacturing gained 1,700 jobs while health care and social assistance added 1,500 jobs. Monthly losses were concentrated in construction which lost 2,300 jobs, government which lost 1,800 positions and retail trade which lost 1,100 jobs.
Transportation, warehousing and utilities added the most jobs in November and was the only major industry to add jobs since November of 2019. The release said online shipping is booming and the industry has hired thousands of workers to keep up with demand in warehouses and for delivery drivers. The industry is up 7,500 jobs, or 10.3 percent since November of 2019.
Leisure and hospitality added 300 jobs in November, following a revised gain of 3,300 in October. However, those gains recovered only a fraction of the 110,500 jobs cut in March and April. The industry, which includes restaurants, bars, motels and arts, entertainment and recreation employers – has been the hardest hit industry due to the pandemic. In November, it employed 161,300 in Oregon. That’s nearly 25 percent fewer than in November 2019 when it employed 214,900.