Oregon Adds 1,000 Construction Jobs in January 2026 — A Bright Spot in Mixed Economy
Oregon began 2026 on an encouraging note for the construction industry, adding 1,000 construction jobs in January as part of an overall gain of 2,000 non-farm payroll jobs statewide — with the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate ticking down to 5.2% from December’s revised 5.3%. The construction job gains came alongside strong growth in leisure and hospitality and healthcare, offering a positive signal for NW contractors even as Oregon’s broader economy continues to face headwinds from manufacturing losses and a slower-than-national job growth pace that state economists say may begin to improve in the second half of 2026.
Source: Oregon Employment Department / KLCC Read the full story: https://www.klcc.org/economy-business/2026-04-01/oregon-began-2026-with-an-improving-job-market
