May 15, 2025 3: 40 a.m.
Oregon’s unemployment rate was 4.7 percent in April and 4.6 percent in March, after rising gradually over the past year from 4.1 percent in April 2024.
An Oregon Employment Department release said Oregon’s 4.7 percent unemployment rate was 1.1 percentage points higher than the recent low of 3.6 percent during spring 2023. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.2 percent in both March and April.
State Employment Economist Gail Krumenauer said in April, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment rose by 1,200 jobs, following a revised gain of 6,200 jobs in March. Krumenauer said April’s gains were largest in leisure and hospitality, which rose by 3,300 jobs, and professional and business services which gained 900 jobs. Declines were largest in transportation, warehousing and utilities which lost 1,300 jobs and the other services category which shed 600 jobs. None of the other major industries had a change of more than 400 jobs.
OED said leisure and hospitality had a larger-than-expected increase in seasonal hiring in April, adding 3,300 jobs. The April jobs total of 212,700 was 5,600 jobs or 2.7 percent above its average during the prior two years. Its component industry of arts, entertainment and recreation added 500 jobs in April, to reach a record high of 30,200. During the past two years, it has expanded consistently.
Krumenauer said meanwhile, the other component industry – accommodation and food services – is estimated to have grown rapidly this year, adding 2,800 jobs in April and 5,000 jobs so far this year, following slight declines over the past two years.
The release said construction employment slipped by 200 jobs in April to a total of 114,600 jobs, continuing a gradual downward trend. Since reaching a peak of 119,000 jobs in June 2023, construction has shed 4,400 jobs or 3.7 percent.
Transportation, warehousing and utilities cut 1,300 jobs in April, following a gradual gain of nearly the same amount during the prior 12 months. Most of the April loss occurred in couriers and messengers which cut 800 jobs in April and shed 1,200 jobs since April 2024.