June, 16, 2022 3:20 a.m.

Nonfarm payroll employment in Oregon grew by 6,200 jobs in May, following gains averaging 6,000 jobs in the prior six months.

A release from the Oregon Employment Department said monthly gains in May were largest in leisure and hospitality with an increase of 3,200 jobs. Transportation, warehousing and utilities was up by 1,300 jobs, wholesale trade gained 900 jobs while manufacturing added 800 jobs.

Economist David Cooke said over the past twelve months, nonfarm payrolls rose by 82,700 jobs or 4.4 percent. Leisure and hospitality accounted for more than a third of these gains, growing by 29,400 jobs or 17.2 percent. Private educational services grew by 3,000 jobs or 9.3 percent, which was the second fastest growth rate of the major industries. Cooke said several industries grew by close to 5 percent since May 2021, including construction, wholesale trade, professional and business services and manufacturing. None of the major industries declined a substantial amount over the past twelve months.

The release said Oregon’s unemployment rate edged down to 3.6 percent in May, from 3.7 percent in April. The rate is close to Oregon’s record low of 3.4 percent, which occurred in each of the four months of November 2019 through February 2020. The U.S. unemployment rate was 3.6 percent in both April and May of 2022.