September 19, 2024 3:30 a.m.

In August, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment gained 1,500 jobs, following a revised increase of 6,800 jobs in July.

An Oregon Employment Department release said August’s gains were largest in private educational services which rose by 2,000 jobs, and health care and social assistance which added 1,200 jobs. Declines in August were largest in leisure and hospitality where 1,700 jobs were lost, and the government category which dropped by 800 jobs.

State Employment Economist Gail Krumenauer said health care and social assistance expanded rapidly, adding 1,200 jobs in August and 16,100 jobs over the past 12 months. Krumenauer said social assistance grew by 8,100 jobs or 11.0 percent in 12 months. Meanwhile, the health-care component industries each added more than 2,000 jobs since August 2023: nursing and residential care facilities gained 3,400 jobs or 6.3 percent, ambulatory health care services added 3,300 jobs or 3.3 percent and hospitals added 2,300 jobs or 3.9 percent.

OED said government cut 800 jobs over the month of August but added 6,000 jobs or 1.9 percent since August 2023. In the past 12 months each of its three components grew: local government added 3,700 jobs or 1.6 percent, state government gained 1,400 jobs or 3.0 percent, and the federal government added 900 jobs or 3.1 percent.

Krumenauer said despite gains over the past year in health care and government, several industries cut jobs. Three major industries declined by at least 3,000 jobs since August 2023: retail trade lost 6,800 jobs or 3.3 percent, professional and business services lost 4,200 jobs or 1.6 percent and leisure and hospitality saw a loss of 3,000 jobs or 1.4 percent. Manufacturing, construction, information and financial activities each declined by about 1 percent.

Oregon’s unemployment rate was 4.0 percent in August and 4.1 percent in July and has been in a tight range between 4.0 and 4.2 percent since October 2023. The U.S. unemployment rate was little changed at 4.2 percent in August and 4.3 percent in July.