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- calendar_today November 2, 2026
Oregon's labor market has experienced notable shifts in employment and wage patterns across its counties over the past year, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Examining the most recent data gives insight into regional variations and the broader health of the state labor market.
Employment Trends Among Major Counties
From March 2025 to March 2026, six of Oregon’s seven largest counties saw a decline in employment, with only Marion County posting gains (+1.4%). Washington County registered the largest drop at -2.8%, followed by Multnomah (-1.9%), Clackamas (-1.5%), Lane (-1.4%), Jackson (-0.6%), and Deschutes (-0.4%). Statewide, Oregon’s employment declined by 1.3% over the year to approximately 1,952,300. Multnomah County, which includes Portland, remained the state’s highest-employment county, accounting for 484,400 jobs as of March 2026. Together, the seven largest counties comprised 75% of total covered employment in Oregon, underscoring their significance to the state's overall employment base. [BLS County Employment and Wages, March 2026]
This pattern of employment contraction among most large counties was also evident at the end of 2025: from December 2024 to December 2025, five of seven large counties experienced declines, with Washington County again showing the largest decrease at -3.3%. Marion and Jackson counties bucked the trend with employment increases of 2.4% and 0.7%, respectively. [BLS County Employment and Wages, December 2025]
Wage Growth Across Counties
Despite a cooling employment landscape, average weekly wages grew robustly in much of Oregon. For the first quarter of 2026, six of the seven largest counties reported wage growth above the national average of 3.9%. Washington County stood out with a 9.2% increase in average weekly wages to $1,882, the highest among Oregon counties and notably higher than the U.S. average of $1,654. Other counties saw increases ranging from 5.8% (Jackson) down to 3.1% (Marion). Statewide, Oregon’s average weekly wage hit $1,481, up 4.6% year-over-year, ranking 8th nationwide in wage growth. [BLS County Employment and Wages, March 2026]
Looking at the end of 2025, wage increases persisted in most large counties, with Clackamas recording the highest gain at 6.4% (to $1,505). Multnomah, Jackson, Lane, and Deschutes each saw wage growth ranging from 5.1% to 4.2%. Washington County, however, experienced a 2.0% decline in average weekly wages during this fourth quarter period. [BLS County Employment and Wages, December 2025]
Smaller counties continue to lag in both wage levels and growth. For example, in the first quarter of 2026, no small county exceeded the national average wage, with Morrow County leading the group at $1,420 and Wheeler County at the low end with $825. [BLS County Employment and Wages, March 2026]
Statewide Labor Market Dynamics
As of August 2025, Oregon’s labor market held steady with 83,000 job openings—a rate of 4.0%. The state had a ratio of 1.3 unemployed persons per job opening. During the same period, Oregon recorded 71,000 hires and 81,000 separations, including 45,000 quits and 23,000 layoffs or discharges. These figures suggest ongoing churn in the labor market, as hires and separations move closely in tandem. [BLS Oregon Job Openings and Labor Turnover, August 2025]
Conclusion
While the overall employment level in Oregon’s major counties has recently fallen, wage growth has remained robust—particularly in key counties like Washington and Multnomah. The divergence between falling or stagnant employment and rising wages highlights a complex labor market, possibly shaped by factors like labor force participation and industry composition. For workers and businesses, these patterns suggest continued opportunity in wage growth, even as job creation slows—yet also indicate ongoing competitive pressures and adjustment across the state’s regional labor markets.
