Oregon Payroll Employment Adds 5,800 Jobs
The state's unemployment rate fell to 5.0% in September as construction and healthcare sectors saw growth.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Employment
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Oregon businesses added 5,800 nonfarm payroll jobs in September 2026, helping lower the state unemployment rate to 5.0%. This growth occurred as payroll expansion more than doubled compared to August 2026 figures.
Why it matters
The labor market recovery impacts household income stability and local economic health across Oregon. Monitoring state-level job growth relative to national trends helps residents understand the broader competitive environment for wages and hiring.
Oregon added 5,800 jobs in September 2026 compared to 2,600 in August, while the state unemployment rate fell to 5.0% from 5.1%.
The details
Job growth was led by the construction sector, which added 2,000 positions, alongside gains in health care and social assistance at 1,700 and leisure and hospitality at 1,300. These increases offset a loss of 1,500 jobs within the retail trade sector. Payroll additions represent net changes, reflecting the balance between new hires and workforce reductions across these diverse state industries.
Timeline
March 2025: Oregon unemployment rate was 5.0%.
August 2026: State unemployment was 5.1% with 2,600 jobs added.
September 2026: State unemployment fell to 5.0% with 5,800 jobs added.
Money Landscape
The state's labor market shows resilience with unemployment returning to 5.0%, a level last seen in March 2025. This compares to a national unemployment rate that climbed to 4.2% in September 2026.
Workers seeking opportunities may find increased hiring activity in construction and healthcare sectors across the state. Households should track these trends to gauge local wage competition and potential shifts in regional hiring demand.
The takeaway
Oregon payroll growth accelerated in September, outperforming the previous month's job gains significantly. Residents should monitor future monthly employment reports to see if current sector-specific hiring trends persist into the final quarter of the year.
Further reading
Find additional information on state workforce trends in the Oregon Employment section.
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