Oregon’s Unemployment rate remains above 5% in recent report

The Dalles, Ore., Jan. 7, 2026 — Oregon’s unemployment rate was 5.2% in November, unchanged from September, according to data released by the Oregon Employment Department following a delay caused by the federal government shutdown.

The October unemployment rate was not available because underlying data was not collected during the shutdown. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.6% in November - 0.6% lower than the rate in Oregon for the same month.

Specific rates for Wasco and Hood River counties will not be released until next week.

Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment increased by 1,600 jobs in November, rebounding from a revised loss of 2,000 jobs in October. Job gains were led by leisure and hospitality, which added 2,100 jobs, and health care and social assistance, which gained 1,000 jobs.

The largest losses occurred in government, which shed 800 jobs, and information, which lost 600 jobs.

Leisure and hospitality has seen renewed hiring momentum in recent months, adding 3,900 jobs between July and November after employment remained largely flat from 2023 through mid-2025. Within the sector, accommodation and food services accounted for most of the growth, adding 4,900 jobs since July.

Health care and social assistance continued its long-term expansion, adding 10,900 jobs, or 3.5%, between November 2024 and November 2025.

Government employment declined by 2,300 jobs from September through November. Federal government payrolls fell by 800 jobs during that period, largely reflecting early retirement incentives, with separations recorded in October.

The information industry cut 1,200 jobs between September and November. Total employment in the sector stood at 33,400 jobs in November, down sharply from a peak of 37,300 jobs reached three years earlier.