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| October statewide unemployment rate | ||
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Contact: Art Ayre, State Employment Economist (503) 947-1268 Art.Ayre@state.or.us Oregon’s Employment Situation: October 2007 Oregon’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was essentially unchanged at 5.5 percent in October after being 5.3 percent in September. The U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.7 percent in both September and October. In October, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment dropped by 1,400, following a loss of 1,600 in September. Industry Payroll Employment (Establishment Survey Data) In October, seasonally adjusted payroll employment declined 1,400 after a revised loss of 1,600 in September. Seasonally adjusted payroll employment peaked in August at 1,728,800, but is now back to the same level as in May. Thus, there has been no net expansion over that five month period. Over the 12 months ending in October, payroll employment has grown by 13,700 jobs or 0.8 percent. In October, two major industries — government (-2,400 jobs) and trade, transportation and utilities (-1,800) — posted seasonally adjusted job declines. In contrast, two major industries added substantial numbers of jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis — educational and health services (+1,800 jobs) and professional and business services (+1,000). Government added 14,900 jobs in October, a month in which a gain of 17,300 was expected as schools ramped up to full autumn employment. State education employed 28,000 in October and is at essentially the same level as in October 2006. Local government education, which includes K through 12 schools and community colleges, employed 101,700 in October, up from 99,700 in October 2006. Elsewhere in government, federal employment continued its long-term downtrend. It contracted by 700 jobs in October and is now 400 jobs lower over the year. Conversely, Indian tribal employment has expanded by 500 jobs over the year. Trade, transportation, and utilities dropped 300 jobs when a gain of 1,500 would be the normal seasonal increase. Retail employment added 400 jobs in October, close to the normal seasonal gains, but not as large as the October gains in recent years. Truck transportation cut 300 jobs in October, weighing down the broader sector. Educational and health services added 3,600 jobs in October when a gain of 1,800 was the expected seasonal gain. The sector grew by 5,000 jobs over the past year, boosted by a gain of 3,000 in ambulatory health care services, which includes doctors’ offices and dentists’ offices. Professional and business services added 600 jobs in October. During late 2006 it expanded rapidly, but has pulled back this summer. The sector is only 800 jobs or 0.4 percent above its year-ago level, held down by lackluster performance in employment services, which has shed 3,300 jobs. Construction is being closely watched for signs of how the downturn of the national residential housing market is affecting Oregon. Since early 2006, the monthly employment numbers indicate a stable pattern for construction as a whole. The sector performed about in line with seasonal expectations for October, posting a decline of 1,700 jobs when a loss of 1,200 is normal. Seasonally adjusted employment notched down to 102,000 in October, which was near the midpoint of the industry’s range of approximately 100,000 to 104,000 since April 2006. Unemployment (Household Survey Data) Oregon’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.5 percent in October and 5.3 percent in September. It remains close to levels seen throughout the past 22 months, when the rate ranged from 5.0 percent to 5.5 percent. In October, 96,164 Oregonians were unemployed, compared with 89,466 in October 2006. The Oregon Employment Department will release statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for November 2007 at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 17, 2007. — end —
For the complete version of the news release, including tables and graphs, visit: www.QualityInfo.org/pressrelease.For help finding jobs and training resources, visit one of the state's WorkSource Oregon Centers or go to: www.WorkSourceOregon.org. Equal Opportunity program — auxiliary aids and services available upon request to individuals with disabilities. |
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