Total payroll employment in Josephine County rose by an estimated 60 jobs in October.
According to the Oregon Employment Department, there were 34,706 people working in Josephine County last month for a seasonally adjusted jobless rate of 4.8%, which was up slightly from 4.7% in September.
Private education & health services added 80 jobs over the month with a smaller gain of 20 jobs posted in professional & business services. On the other hand, leisure & hospitality shed 60 jobs in October.
Government employment was little changed over the month. Local government education added 70 jobs while there were slight declines in federal government and local government excluding educational services.
Over the past year, payroll employment in Josephine County rose by 250 jobs, a gain of 0.9%. However, local employment is still 340 jobs below the October 2019 total prior to the pandemic.
Industries adding jobs since October 2022 included private education & health services (+500), transportation, warehousing & utilities (+80), and construction (+40). Sectors with estimated losses over the year included retail trade (-140), leisure & hospitality (-120), and manufacturing (-70). Smaller losses totaling 40 jobs each were estimated in professional & business services, wholesale trade and financial activities.
Government education rose by 80 jobs over the year. Local government education, state government and federal government all added jobs since October 2022.
