Job Rise Slows

Portland Or – Oregon Employment Department’s latest jobless data showed job growth has continued to rise, but at a relatively slow pace.

The state’s unemployment rate dropped to 8% in September, down 0.5% from 8.4% in August to 7.9% in September.

Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 5,100 jobs last month, following a revised gain of 16,200 jobs in August, according to OED.

Retail trade and health care are closer to being back at pre-pandemic employment levels.

Retail added nearly 5,000 jobs over the past two months.
Health care and social assistance added 2,300 during the same span.