Portland's Uneven Job Market: Tech Boom, Rural Woes, and Workforce Challenges

Portland’s job market is cooling but remains relatively diverse and resilient. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Oregon Employment Department, Oregon’s unemployment rate rose to about 5.2 percent in September 2025, up a full percentage point from a year earlier, with Portland mirroring this elevated but not recessionary level. Right Now Oregon and The Registry report that statewide job growth has slowed, with net gains concentrated in health care and social assistance, while sectors such as information and some manufacturing have shed jobs over the past two years. Marca and state analyses note a clear spli...