Oregon issues September unemployment report, delayed months by federal government shutdown

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Wednesday's first release of Oregon's jobs report in several months due to the federal government shutdown showed a similar September picture as in previous months: a slow rise in the unemployment rate, despite job growth in several sectors of the economy.

The Oregon Employment Department released monthly employment and unemployment data for September "after a significant delay due to the federal government shutdown," the agency said.

Here's the full breakdown:

Oregon’s unemployment rate was 5.2% in September and 5.0% in August, after increasing for much of the past two years from the recent low of 3.6% during spring 2023. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.3% in August and 4.4% in September.

In September, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment rose by 3,300 jobs, following a revised gain of 3,500 jobs in August. September’s gains were largest in health care and social assistance (+1,300 jobs); construction (+700); and professional and business services (+700). Losses were largest in financial activities (-700 jobs).

Health care and social assistance continued its rapid expansion of the past several years, adding 11,400 jobs, or 3.7%, between September 2024 and September 2025.

Construction employment was down slightly this summer, compared with the two prior summers. September employment totaled 116,100 jobs, which was 1,600 jobs, or 1.4%, below its level in September 2024.

Professional and business services added 700 in September but lost jobs since early 2023. Since its peak of 268,900 jobs in March 2023, it has declined to 253,700 jobs in September (-15,200 jobs, or 5.7%). Each of the three component industries trended downward since early 2023. Over the last 12 months, cutbacks were as follows: administrative and waste services (-4,900 jobs or -4.8%); professional and technical services (-2,300 jobs, or -2.1%); and management of companies and enterprises (-1,000 jobs, or -2.0%).

Manufacturing slipped by 200 jobs in September and is down 9,600 jobs, or 5.1%, since September 2024, with both durable goods manufacturing and nondurable goods manufacturing each down close to 5%.

Next Press Releases

The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the September county and metropolitan area unemployment rates on Tuesday, Dec. 16, and the next statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for October and November on Wednesday, Jan. 7.