March 11, 2025 3:40 a.m.

Oregon’s unemployment rate was 4.4 percent in January, and 4.3 percent, as revised, in December, after rising gradually over the past year from 4.1 percent in January 2024.

A release from the Oregon Employment Department said the state’s 4.4 percent unemployment rate was the highest since September of 2021, when the rate was also 4.4 percent. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.1 percent in December 2024 and 4.0 percent in January 2025.

State Employment Economist Gail Krumenauer said in January, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment rose by 2,400 jobs, following a revised decline of 2,000 jobs in December. Krumenauer said January’s largest gains were 1,400 in professional and business services, 1,200 in leisure and hospitality, and 900 each in retail trade, and private educational services. The largest declines were 2,200 in manufacturing and 1,300 in health care and social assistance.

OED said during the past three years, health care and social assistance was by far the fastest growing sector of Oregon’s economy, adding 15,100 jobs or 5.2 percent, in the past 12 months through January. However, a large strike at a major health care provider contributed to the one-month drop of 1,300 jobs in this industry during January.

Krumenauer said industries that grew moderately during the most recent 12 months included:

*Other services by 2,100 jobs or 3.2 percent

*Private educational services by 1,100 jobs or 3.0 percent

*Professional and business services by 2,900 jobs or 1.1 percent

*Construction by 900 jobs or 0.8 percent

The release said manufacturing continued its decline of the past two years, cutting 6,900 jobs or 3.7 percent, while retail trade shed 2,300 jobs or 1.1 percent during that time.