Salem, Oregon Unemployment

The BLS reported that the unemployment rate for Salem rose 0.2 percentage points in October 2018 to 4.5%. For the same month, the metro unemployment rate was 0.7 percentage points higher than the Oregon rate. The unemployment rate in Salem peaked in April 2009 at 11.5% and is now 7.0 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 3.9% in January 2018, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.6 percentage points. You can also compare Salem unemployment with unemployment in other cities.

Unemployment Rate	October 2018	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.7%	0.0	-0.4
Oregon	3.8%	0.0	-0.4
Salem	4.5%	+0.2	+0.1

Note: Metro level data is now seasonally adjusted.¹ All comparisons are made with October 2018 data as November metro level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Salem, Oregon, National

Note: Recessions shown in gray.

Salem, Oregon Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Salem peaked in April 2009 at 22,884. There are now 13,676 fewer people unemployed in the metropolitan area. From a recent trough of 7,918 in January 2018, the number of unemployed has now grown by 1,290. Salem employment and jobs data (including jobs lost/gained in Salem, Oregon) is also available.

Unemployed Persons	October 2018	Month/Month	Year/Year
Salem	9,208	+490	+168

Number of Unemployed Persons

Salem, Oregon Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Oregon Unemployment Rate	Salem Unemployment Rate	Salem Unemployed
November 2018	3.7%	—	—	—
October 2018	3.7%	3.8%	4.5%	9,208
September 2018	3.7%	3.8%	4.3%	8,718
August 2018	3.9%	3.8%	4.1%	8,285
July 2018	3.9%	3.9%	4.0%	8,069
June 2018	4.0%	4.0%	4.0%	7,945
May 2018	3.8%	4.1%	4.0%	8,071
April 2018	3.9%	4.1%	4.1%	8,297
March 2018	4.1%	4.1%	4.1%	8,225
February 2018	4.1%	4.1%	4.0%	8,130
January 2018	4.1%	4.1%	3.9%	7,918
December 2017	4.1%	4.1%	4.1%	8,468