Oregon’s Unemployment Rate Was 5.2% In January (Photo) - 04/01/26
For Immediate Release: April 1, 2026.
Media Contact:
Gail Krumenauer, State Employment Economist
(971) 301-3771
Video and Audio available at 10 a.m. PT
David Cooke, Economist (971) 375-5288
Oregon’s Unemployment Rate Was 5.2% in January
Oregon’s unemployment rate was 5.2% in January and 5.3%, as revised, in December. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.3% in January and 4.4% in December.
In January, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment rose by 2,000 jobs, following a gain of 100 jobs, as revised, in December. January’s gains were largest in leisure and hospitality (+1,800 jobs); health care and social assistance (+1,500); and construction (+1,000). Losses were largest in manufacturing (-1,500 jobs) and professional and business services (-1,300).
Leisure and hospitality performed better than the normal seasonal pattern in January and employed 209,800, which was 1,800 jobs, or 0.9%, above its January 2025 total. Despite these recent gains, it employed only slightly more workers than during most of the past few years.
Health care and social assistance rose by 4,100 jobs during the three months ending in January. During the 12 months ending in January, it added 9,800 jobs, or 3.2%, which was by far the fastest growth rate of Oregon’s major industries during that time.
Construction’s 1,000-job gain in January was a partial rebound from its 2,400-job loss the prior month. Over the past two years, construction generally declined from a high of about 118,000 jobs throughout much of 2023, to its January 2026 level of 111,600 jobs.
Manufacturing cut 1,500 jobs in January, following a gain of 1,300 in December. Since August, manufacturing has fluctuated around 178,000 jobs. Prior to this period of relative stability, manufacturing shrank rapidly from a recent high of 195,000 jobs in November 2022.
The 1,300-job decline in professional and business services in January left the industry 7,600 jobs, or 2.9%, below its year-ago total, and 17,000 jobs below its peak of 268,100 jobs in 2023.
Next Press Releases
The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the January county and metropolitan area unemployment and jobs data on Tuesday, April 7, and the next statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for February on Wednesday, April 15.
About Workforce and Economic Research
The Workforce and Economic Research Division of the Oregon Employment Department develops and distributes quality economic and workforce information to help Oregonians make informed decisions and support a thriving economy. Staff collect data from state and federal records and surveys; analyze the available information; and share insights with the public in a variety of ways, including regular reports, publications, and the website, QualityInfo.org.
The Oregon Employment Department (OED) is an equal opportunity agency. OED provides free help so you can use our services. Some examples are sign language and spoken language interpreters, written materials in other languages, large print, audio, and other formats. To get help, please call 503-947-1444. TTY users call 711. You can also send an email to communications@employ.oregon.gov.
El Departamento de Empleo de Oregon (OED) es una agencia de igualdad de oportunidades. El OED proporciona ayuda gratuita para que usted pueda utilizar nuestros servicios. Algunos ejemplos son intérpretes de lengua de señas e idiomas hablados, materiales escritos en otros idiomas, letra grande, audio y otros formatos. Para obtener ayuda, por favor llame al 503-947-1444. Usuarios de TTY pueden llamar al 711. También puede enviar un correo electrónico a communications@employ.oregon.gov.
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