May 21, 2026 3:35 a.m. 

Oregon’s unemployment rate was 5.2 percent in each of the first four months of 2026. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.3 percent in both March and April.

An Oregon Employment Department release said in April, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment rose by 500 jobs, following a loss of 4,300 jobs, as revised, in March. April’s gains were largest in health care and social assistance and construction, which gained 1,900 jobs and 800 jobs, respectively. Losses were largest in professional and business services, financial activities and retail trade, which fell by 1,000, 900 and 800 jobs, respectively.

State Employment Economist Gail Krumenhauer said health care and social assistance grew rapidly in the past 12 months, adding 12,500 jobs or 4.0 percent. Krumenhauer said during the past four years, the sector grew rapidly and consistently, adding a total of 58,100 jobs or 21.7 percent, since April 2022. In the past 12 months, each of its component industries grew quickly. Social assistance added 5,500 jobs or 6.6 percent, while nursing and residential care facilities gained 2,800 jobs or 4.7 percent, ambulatory health care services added 2,500 jobs or 2.3 percent, and hospitals gained 800 jobs or 1.2 percent.

OED said professional and business services continued to shed jobs at a pace similar to the past three years. This major industry cut 9,300 jobs, or 3.6 percent, in the past 12 months. Losses were large in each of its three component industries: Administrative and waste services shed 4,300 jobs or 4.4 percent, professional and technical services lost 3,200 jobs or 2.9 percent, and management of companies cut 1,800 jobs or 3.7 percent.

Krumenhauer said manufacturing dropped 400 jobs in April, following steep losses over the prior three years. In the past 12 months, durable goods manufacturing cut 5.500 jobs or 4.4 percent while nondurable goods manufacturing cut 1,500 jobs or 2.7 percent.