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By Jake Procino | Workforce Analyst/Economist, Multnomah County | Oregon Employment Department
Central Oregon Economy in View
After a reporting delay due to the government shutdown, the September 2025 numbers are here! Oregon’s total nonfarm payroll employment shrunk -0.6%, losing 11,700 jobs over the last 12 months ending in September 2025. During that same period, the Bend MSA (consisting of Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties) lost 310 jobs, a -0.3% change.
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Oregon ticked up to 5.2% in September, up from 4.2% in September 2024. Oregon’s unemployment rate remains higher than the U.S.’s unemployment rate of 4.4%. All counties in the Bend MSA experienced increased year-over-year unemployment.
Find more about the Central Oregon economy here.
Topic of the Month: 10 Year Industry Projections for Oregon
The Employment Department recently published 2024-2034 industry and occupational projections for Oregon and regional areas within the state. According to the new projections, the state’s total employment will grow by 140,600 jobs between 2024-2034.
In 2024, there were 2,196,000 jobs in Oregon. The projected 6% increase in employment between 2024 and 2034 includes private-sector gains of 125,500 jobs (+7%), growth of 7,700 jobs in government (+2%), and an additional 7,400 self-employed Oregonians (+5%).
All broad sectors in Oregon are expected to add jobs by 2034 except for federal government which is projected to decline by 3% (-1,000 jobs). The private health care and social assistance sector is projected to increase the fastest, growing by 13%. Private health care and social assistance is also projected to add the largest number of jobs over the next 10 years (+40,400 jobs).
Employment in Central Oregon (Jefferson, Deschutes, and Crook Counties) is expected to grow at a faster rate than the state. Total employment is projected to grow by 7%, a net gain of 1,620 jobs, from 2024-2034. Sectors projected to grow the most are like the state, with all sectors broadly expected to add jobs except jobs in federal government.
The 2024-2034 employment projections for Oregon are produced for about 100 industries and 800 occupations. More information on industry and occupational projections for Oregon and sub-state areas can be found at QualityInfo.org/projections.
Articles of Interest
“Oregon Labor Market After the Jolt: JOLTS in Oregon,” Jeremy Robertson, Oregon Employment Department.
“Oregon’s Seafood Processing Industry,” by Shaun Barrick, Oregon Employment Department.
The articles, research and publications herein are solely for educational purposes and do not imply endorsement nor reflect the views of the Oregon Employment Department.
