Oregon Construction Employment Hits 118,200 — Near Record High for the 24th Consecutive Month

Oregon’s construction industry reached another near-record employment level, with the sector employing 118,200 workers on a seasonally adjusted basis — hovering close to 117,000 jobs throughout the past 24 consecutive months, representing one of the most sustained periods of construction employment strength in the state’s history. Oregon’s construction sector now represents 5.9% of all nonfarm payroll jobs — nearly matching the 6% share seen during the height of the pre-2008 housing boom — a level that reflects both the strength of the current public works pipeline and the sustained demand for commercial and residential construction across the state. The sustained employment strength is particularly notable given that residential permitting has softened significantly from its recent highs — suggesting that Oregon’s public infrastructure pipeline, commercial construction, and healthcare projects are more than compensating for any residential slowdown. For contractors competing for skilled workers in this environment, the data reinforces what most already know from experience: Oregon’s labor market for construction trades remains extremely tight.

https://qualityinfo.org/-/oregon-construction-employment-near-record-high-for-the-past-24-months