June 18, 2026 3:40 a.m.

Oregon’s unemployment rate was 5.2 percent in each of the first five months of 2026.

The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.3 percent in March, April and May.

An update from the Oregon State Employment Department said in May, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment rose by 3,600 jobs, following a gain of 600 jobs, as revised, in April. May’s gains were largest in the other services category, which went up by 2,000 jobs, and professional and business services, which gained 1,800 jobs. Losses were largest in manufacturing, which shuttered 1,100 jobs.

State Employment Economist Gail Krumenauer said although nonfarm payroll employment rose by a total of 4,200 jobs during April and May, this broad measure of Oregon’s employment was still 9,100 jobs, or 0.5 percent below its May 2025 level. Krumenauer said over the past 12 months, nine of the major industries have cut jobs, while only five industries have added jobs. At 1,977,100, Oregon nonfarm payroll employment has been slightly below two million jobs for the past four years and is down 20,900 jobs from its peak of 1,998,000 in September 2024.

OED said the rapid expansion during the prior three years within health care and social assistance is slowing. Since October 2025, growth appears to have leveled off in ambulatory health care services, and in hospitals. However, the other two industries within the broader sector continued their rapid expansion. Since October, nursing and residential care facilities added 1,500 jobs, while social assistance added 4,600.

Krumenauer said manufacturing employment dropped 1,100 jobs in May, following steep losses over the prior three years. In the past 12 months, durable goods manufacturing cut 5,900 jobs or 4.7 percent, while nondurable goods manufacturing cut 2,200 jobs or 4.0 percent.