Oregon's unemployment rate remained higher than the national average in May

PORTLAND, Ore. (PORTLAND TRIBUNE) -- Oregon’s economy continues to add jobs as the statewide unemployment rate held steady at 4.2% in May.

The Oregon Employment Department reported a gain of 4,000 last month after a revised gain of 2,400 in April. It released its monthly report on Thursday, June 20.

The unemployment rate remained at 4.2% for the fourth consecutive month; the national average for May was 4%. Oregon’s monthly unemployment rate has been at 4.2% or less since October 2021.

Health care and social assistance gained 1,900 jobs in May, for a total of 16,200 (5.7%) in the past 12 months. All four components in this category have shown growth. But private-sector jobs overall have gained a net of just 3,500 — for .2% growth — as manufacturing dropped 3,700 jobs, retail trade 3,400, and construction 2,200.

Retail trade (800) and construction (400) led job losses for May.

Read more at PortlandTribune.com.

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