OED Press Release: Oregon’s Unemployment Rate Was Unchanged At 5.2% In May (Photo) - 06/17/26
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 17, 2026
CONTACT INFORMATION:
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 Unchanged at 5.2% in May
Oregon’s unemployment rate was 5.2% in each of the first five months of 2026. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.3% in March, April, and May.
In May, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment rose by 3,600 jobs, following a gain of 600 jobs, as revised, in April. May’s gains were largest in other services (+2,000 jobs) and professional and business services (+1,800). Losses were largest in manufacturing (-1,100 jobs).
Although nonfarm payroll employment rose by a total of 4,200 jobs during April and May, this broad measure of Oregon’s employment was still 9,100 jobs, or 0.5%, below its May 2025 level. Over the past 12 months, nine of the major industries have cut jobs, while only five industries have added jobs. At 1,977,100, Oregon nonfarm payroll employment has been slightly below two million jobs for the past four years and is down 20,900 jobs from its peak of 1,998,000 in September 2024.
The rapid expansion during the prior three years within health care and social assistance is slowing. Since October 2025, growth appears to have leveled off in ambulatory health care services and in hospitals. However, the other two industries within the broader sector continued their rapid expansion. Since October, nursing and residential care facilities added 1,500 jobs, while social assistance added 4,600.
Manufacturing employment dropped 1,100 jobs in May, following steep losses over the prior three years. In the past 12 months, durable goods manufacturing cut 5,900 jobs, or 4.7%, while nondurable goods manufacturing cut 2,200 jobs, or 4.0%.
Next Press Releases
The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the May county and metropolitan area unemployment and jobs data on Tuesday, June 23, and the next statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for June on Wednesday, July 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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