Oregon Job Market Stumbles in July

Oregon's job market pulled back in July with employers cutting more than 4,000 jobs despite a steady unemployment rate. The state's seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment declined by 4,100 jobs in July, following a revised gain of 1,300 jobs in June.

The largest job losses were in professional and business services, down 1,800 jobs, followed by leisure and hospitality, which shed 900 positions, and government, losing 700 jobs. Retail trade, however, posted the biggest gain with an addition of 500 jobs.

Over the past year, professional and business services have seen a slight downward trend, declining by 2,500 jobs, or 1%. Most of this decline came from management of companies and enterprises, which cut 2,200 jobs, or 4.6%.