July 2026
Released August 21, 2026
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United States
Employment snapshot
In July, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 29, rose in 4, and remained unchanged in 18.
The highest unemployment rate was 5.9 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 2 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point to 4.1 percent.
In July, payroll jobs rose in 27 states and fell in 24. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.4 percent in Maryland. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.6 percent in New Jersey.
Oregon
Employment snapshot
In July, Oregon lost 4,100 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.2 percent. In the prior month, Oregon added 1,300 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, Oregon lost 18,000 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point from 5.3 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls fell by 23,000 in July, or 0 percent. Oregon ranks 48th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In July, Oregon’s private sector lost 3,400 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it lost 11,700 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Oregon added 2,300 net private payroll jobs.
In July, employment in Oregon rose by 982, and over the past 12 months it fell by 10,593.
Oregon’s labor force participation rate remained steady at 62.4 percent in July and ranks 23rd in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has fallen by 0.6 percentage points.
Oregon
Payroll employment
Oregon lost 4,100 net payroll jobs, or -0.2 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during July. In the prior month, Oregon added 1,300 jobs. Oregon nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 6 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls fell by 23,000 in July, or 0 percent. Oregon ranks 48th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
Oregon lost 3,400 private sector jobs, or -0.2 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during July. In the prior month, Oregon added 2,300 jobs. Oregon private sector payroll employment has increased in 5 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 30,000 jobs in July, or 0 percent. Oregon ranks 48th in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.
From June 2026 to July 2026:
- The best performing sectors were Financial Activities (+400) and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+200).
- The worst performing sectors were Professional and Business Services (-1,800) and Leisure and Hospitality (-900).
From July 2025 to July 2026:
- The best performing sectors were Private Education and Health Services (+10,100) and Construction (+600).
- The worst performing sectors were Manufacturing (-6,400) and Professional and Business Services (-5,900).
Oregon
Labor force
The labor force participation rate is the percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population age 16 and older who are employed or actively looking for work.
The labor force participation rate in Oregon remained unchanged at 62.4 percent in July.
Oregon ranks 23rd in the nation.
The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in Oregon was 63 percent occurring in July 2025, and the 10-year low was 59.4 percent in April 2020.
The national labor force participation rate fell by 0.1 percentage points to 61.4 percent in July.