Oregon’s Unemployment Rate Continues to Climb, Leaving an Estimated 103,858 People Without Work

Oregon’s unemployment rate is well above the national average, rising steadily from a low of 3.6% in 2023 and leaving an estimated 103,858 people without work.

According to the Oregon Employment Department, the unemployment figure for April 2025 was 4.7%, increasing by 0.6% over the last 12 months.

Most Jobs Were Lost in the Transportation and Warehousing Sectors

Oregon’s unemployment rate is also well above the national average of 4.2% and increased a further 1% since last month.

The biggest job losses were in the transportation, warehousing, and utilities sectors, where 1,300 jobs were shed.

Couriers and messenger services were the hardest hit, with 800 posts vacated.

There were also 600 posts lost in other service areas.

The Construction Industry Continues its Downhill Slide

The construction industry continues to dip, shedding 200 jobs in April. This loss reflects a continuing downward trend. Since peaking in June 2023 with 119,000 jobs, construction is now down to 114,600 posts, a total loss of 4,400 jobs, representing a 3.7% decline.

The largest gains in April were in the leisure and hospitality trades, which added 3,300 jobs. Also on the upward trend are professional and business services, adding 900 jobs. The overall increase in the non-farm payroll in April was 1,200 posts.

Arts, entertainment, and recreation industries have been steadily growing over the last two years, adding 500 jobs in April to reach a new record of 30,200.

Other sectors that have shown rapid growth in 2025 are accommodation and food services, adding 2,800 jobs in April. That represents 5,000 additional posts this year after recording slight declines over the previous two years.

The Oregon Employment Department will release the April county and metropolitan area unemployment rates on 20 May, and the next statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for May on 18 June.