Total payroll employment in Josephine County rose by 320 jobs in May, with three industries accounting for most of the change.
According to the Oregon Employment Department, there were 34,445 people working in Josephine County last month for a seasonally adjusted jobless rate of 5.4%, which was the same as in April.
Local job increases were in leisure & hospitality with 120, private education & health services with 70, and retail trade with 40. Other industries showed little change. Government employment increased by 50 jobs with gains in federal, state and local government.
Over the past year, payroll employment in Josephine County slipped by 190 jobs, a decrease of 0.7%.
Industries adding jobs since May 2023 included private education & health services (+320), professional & business services (+100), and financial activities (+20).
Industries with estimated loss over the past year were leisure & hospitality (-240), manufacturing (-140), retail trade (-110), wholesale trade (-60), and other services (-40).
Government employment rose by 50 jobs over the year. Federal, state and local government education all added jobs since May 2023.
