Trimmed Payrolls Leave Oregon Unemployment Rate Unchanged for June

In June, 28 percent of unemployed Oregonians were unemployed for six months or more, the smallest share since July 2009.

After adding almost 44,000 jobs in 11 straight months of growth, Oregon's payroll employment dropped by 4,300 in June, as several industries trimmed payrolls. Photo: Salem-News.com File

(SALEM, Ore. ) - After adding almost 44,000 jobs in 11 straight months of growth, Oregon's payroll employment dropped by 4,300 in June, as several industries trimmed payrolls.

Construction dropped by 3,600 jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis, while the following major industries each cut more than 1,000: manufacturing (1,300 jobs), professional and business services (1,100), leisure and hospitality (1,100) and government (1,500).

These losses were partially offset by gains in private educational services (+1,700 jobs) and health care and social assistance (+1,800).

June Labor Market Highlights:

1. Payroll employment dropped 4,300 in June, following a gain of 3,900 in May.

2. Construction slipped by 3,600 jobs in June but is still up 4,200 jobs, or 5.7 percent, since June 2013.

3. Oregon's unemployment rate was 6.8 in June, the same as in April and May.

4. The long-term unemployed dropped to 40,700, the lowest since 2008.

The June change in construction employment was weaker than normal. Most of its component industries failed to add jobs at the robust rate that is typical in June.

Construction's weak June followed rapid gains in prior months. In fact, on a seasonally adjusted basis, construction was still up by 4,200 jobs, or 5.7 percent, since June 2013.

Several industries had a lackluster June following rapid gains in prior months. These industries include retail trade; manufacturing; leisure and hospitality; and professional and business services. All of these are still up strongly over the year.

In June, health care and social assistance continued its strong growth, with a seasonally adjusted job gain of 1,800. Since June 2013 it has been one of the fastest growing industries, adding 7,800 jobs, or 3.8 percent.

Unemployment Oregon's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.8 percent in June and 6.8 percent, as revised, in May. Oregon's unemployment rate has been between 6.8 and 7.0 percent for each of the first six months of the year.

The number of long-term unemployed continued to drop. In June, roughly 40,700 Oregonians were unemployed for six months or more, the fewest since December 2008. Since reaching a peak of more than 100,000 in mid 2010, the number of long-term unemployed has trended downward.

In June, 28 percent of unemployed Oregonians were unemployed for six months or more, the smallest share since July 2009.

Source: Oregon Employment Department