Employment / Economy

Before you ask: Monthly U.S. Unemployment Rankings
According to the Oregon Department of Labor, in April 2009, Oregon's unemployment rate was 12.1%. The national average was 8.6%.
More unemployment information, specific to Oregon, including links to specific city information.

Forbes Magazine, "In Depth: U.S. Cities Where It's Hardest To Get By" Portland ranks #6 out of 20.

One Fortune 500 company is headquartered in Oregon, Nike.

Oregonian article, June 3, 09, "Greater Portland posts nation's biggest jobless jump"

The percent of population over 25 with a Bachelors Degree + is higher in Oregon than the general U.S.
More than half of Oregon residents have a college degree.

Wall Street Journal, May 16, 09, "Youth Magnet' Cities Hit Midlife Crisis"

Portland's median salary is nearly 9% lower than the rest of the U.S. Portland Monthly, April 2008

NY Times March 26, 09, "A Downturn Wraps a City in Hesitance"

Average salary for a full-time Oregon private-practice attorney in 2006 = $140,000
Average salary for a full-time Oregon public defender in 2006 = $55,000
Portland Monthly, June 2008

Portland Tribune article, March 5, 09, "Taking a job - almost any job Economy suffers when workers, and the jobs they find, don’t match"

Average annual wage in the 6-county (surrounding Portland) region in 2001: $37,285
Average annual wage in the 6-county region in 2005: $41,069
Percent change in inflation-adjusted real wages in the 6-county region between 2001 & 2005: 0
Portland Monthly, Feb 2008

Willamette Week article, 2005, "Portland's New Economy"

Use the The Prosperity Planner to understand what it takes to meet your basic needs and develop strategies to achieve your career and earning goals. The Planner can help you see how well wages from several different jobs meet your family's needs here in Oregon, get information you need to set higher wage goals and develop strategies for achieving these goals. The The Prosperity Planner is a product of Worksystems, Inc., a provider of employment and training programs. To find a Worksource Center near you, in Oregon, go to Worksource Oregon