Latest Oregon Jobs Report Highlights Growth in Health Care and Construction Despite Regional Losses

Significant trends in unemployment and industry changes across the state are reflected in the Oregon Employment Department’s latest data, which analyzes trends through July 2025.

The employment change across Oregon metro areas is illustrated in the respective cities’ data, showing:

• Salem experienced the highest job growth.
• Medford had a slight job gain.
• Several other metro areas faced job losses, including Grants Pass, which saw the highest decline.
• Klamath County remains the area with the highest unemployment rate in Oregon.

Shifts in employment trends triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic have become evident, particularly in industries such as manufacturing, retail, financial services, leisure, hospitality, professional services, wholesale, and other services, where job numbers have dropped.

But there are growth areas: The construction, transportation and warehousing, government, education, and health services sectors have higher employment levels. The health care industry leads with a 10% increase in job numbers.

In comparison, the transportation industry grew by 7%, but both outpaced the 4% government job growth figure.