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Oregon Job Vacancies Flatten as Unemployment Climbs to One of the Highest Levels in the Nation Top Stories By Diane Megaw On Feb 27, 2026 Last updated Feb 27, 2026 FILE - Oregon Employment Department In 2025, Oregon private employers reported 58,500 job openings at any given time, essentially unchanged from the 57,800 job openings seen in 2024, as unemployment increased, with the state experiencing one of the highest unemployment levels nationwide. Oregon Private Job Vacancies Flatten Out Based on new data from the Oregon Employment Department’s Job Vacancy Survey, research published by senior research analyst Anna Johnson indicates that the healthcare and social assistance industry saw the strongest level of hiring in 2025, with over a quarter of all vacancies coming from companies in that sector. Tidings Data Snapshot Oregon private job vacancies stayed flat in 2025 58,465 Average openings in 2025 57,767 Average openings in 2024 16,110 Health care and social assistance vacancies 80.1% Vacancies listed as full time $26.72 Average hourly wage on vacancies Source: Oregon Employment Department / Oregon Job Vacancy Survey of private employers (QualityInfo, Feb 26 2026) Dailytidings.com While the state experienced record-high levels of job vacancies after the pandemic recession in 2021 and 2022, vacancies returned to pre-pandemic levels in 2024 and 2025. The research suggests that the market has now levelled out, as Oregon 2025 private job vacancies remained flat . Most Oregon job openings tended to be for full-time and permanent positions. Vacancies with higher education requirements also had a greater likelihood of prior experience requirements, but came with higher average wages. Tidings Data Snapshot Vacancy wages rise with education requirements Bachelor or advanced degree : $43.33 per hour Postsecondary or other certification : $35.66 per hour No requirement : $21.99 per hour High school diploma : $21.97 per hour Source: Oregon Employment Department Job Vacancy Survey of private employers via QualityInfo Feb 26 2026 Dailytidings.com Oregon’s Broader Job Market Deteriorated In 2025 Despite flat job vacancies, Oregon’s broader labor market deteriorated in 2025. The state lost jobs overall, and the unemployment rate hit its highest level in a decade outside of a recession. Research indicated that Oregon employers lost 3,300 jobs (-0.2%) from nonfarm payrolls in 2025. In addition, the state’s unemployment rate was 5.1% last year- the highest rate outside of a recession/recovery period since 2015. A separate report suggested that overall, the state lost jobs in 2025 as the unemployment rate rose nearly a point to 5.2%. At the same time, Oregon experienced the highest unemployment rate outside a recession or recovery period in a decade. See also : Oregon’s Unemployment Hits 5.2% as State Falls to 47th Worst in the Nation. Share Twitter Facebook ReddIt WhatsApp Pinterest Email