SALEM, OR -- Statewide unemployment held steady in July at 3.5%, matching the national rate. Employment Economist Gail Krumenauer says Oregon employers added 4,200 jobs last month, "Oregon is continuing to experience a strong labor market, with ongoing hiring and really low unemployment. As of July, we’ve added back 94% of the jobs that were lost in the pandemic recession."

She adds, "Leisure and hospitality added 1,500 jobs over the month, Other Services, which includes auto repair shops and hair salons - they added 1,400 jobs in July. And both the Private Education Services and Manufacturing sector each added 1,300 jobs over the month." Retail Trade has inched downward over the past year, with general merchandise stores seeing the biggest job losses. 

Oregon’s labor participation rate is now 63.5%, which is the highest in a decade.