Oregon’s unemployment rate was 5.2% in both March and February. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.3% in March and 4.4% in February.
In March, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment declined by 4,800 jobs, following a loss of 6,900 jobs, as revised, in February. March’s gains were largest in retail trade (+900 jobs). Losses were largest in professional and business services (-2,400 jobs) and government (-800).
Retail trade rebounded somewhat from weak performance last year. It added 800 jobs in February and 900 jobs in March. However, it was still 1,900 jobs, or 0.9%, below its March 2025 level. Since March 2025, motor vehicle and parts dealers cut the most jobs of the published retail component industries. It employed 24,500 in March, which was a drop of 1,100 jobs over the past 12 months.
Government employment has declined over the past six months. Peaking at an all-time high of 318,700 jobs in September, it is now down to 313,200 by March. This was a loss of 5,500 jobs. Federal government continued to drop jobs. At 26,700 jobs in March, it is down 3,000 jobs from its recent high point of 29,700 jobs in October 2024. Local government, which employed 237,200 in March, has been trending downward over the past several months and is down 1,000 jobs, or 0.4%, in the past 12 months.
Professional and business services continued a three-year downtrend, cutting 2,400 jobs in March after a loss of 1,800 jobs in February. In the most recent 12 months, it cut 10,600 jobs, or 4.1%.
Next Press Releases
The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the March county and metropolitan area unemployment and jobs data on Tuesday, May 5, and the next statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for April on Wednesday, May 20.
About Workforce and Economic Research
The Workforce and Economic Research Division of the Oregon Employment Department develops and distributes quality economic and workforce information to help Oregonians make informed decisions and support a thriving economy. Staff collect data from state and federal records and surveys; analyze the available information; and share insights with the public in a variety of ways, including regular reports, publications, and the website, QualityInfo.org.
