U.S. Private Hiring Slows for Fifth Straight Week as Oregon Employers Post Fewer New Job Ads

Despite U.S. private employers adding an average of 15,000 jobs per week during the four weeks ending July 11, hiring slowed, falling from 35,750 weekly jobs in early May. In Oregon, employers posted 900 fewer job ads.

Hiring nationwide slowed for the fifth consecutive week, falling from 35,750 weekly jobs. While U.S. hiring is slowing, Oregon trends show similar warning signs. The state had more job listings in June, but the number of newly posted openings fell by 900.

Oregon employers have flattened out their private job vacancies, reflecting a cooling labor market with reduced hiring demand across several sectors. Impacted Industries are:

• Professional and business services: dropped by 7,500 positions.
• Construction: decreased by 5,100 jobs.
• Manufacturing: reduced by 4,600 jobs.
• Retail trade: fell by 4,500 jobs.

AT the same time, Oregon employers are struggling to fill open jobs, despite starting pay of $26.77 an hour among full-time vacancies per hour. Spring hiring for 2026 remained flat from winter as employers reported that 61% of vacancies are difficult to fill.

Oregon had 1.1 unemployed residents for every advertised job. In June, Oregon had 102,800 active online job ads- up from 98,300 in May, but employers posted 900 fewer new ads. In Portland, 1,270 fewer new job postings were recorded.

Aside from unemployment, families struggle to stay afloat as more than 70,000 Oregonians lost SNAP benefits over the last year, while food bank visits hit a record high.