Oregon’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in September, 8.7 percent, was a slight decline from August’s 8.9 percent, but essentially unchanged, the state Employment Department said Tuesday.
The rate has ranged between 8.4 percent and 8.9 percent since January. In September 2011, it was 9.4 percent, according to a news release.
The state lost about 7,900 jobs in September, ending a half-year string of monthly job gains, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Year over year, however, the estimates show a net gain of 10,100 jobs. The private sector added 15,700 jobs between September 2011 and last month, while government shed 5,600 jobs, the news release stated.
