Salem, Oregon Unemployment

The BLS reported that the unemployment rate for Salem rose 0.2 percentage points in February 2018 to 4.0%. For the same month, the metro unemployment rate was 0.1 percentage points lower than the Oregon rate. The unemployment rate in Salem peaked in April 2009 at 11.5% and is now 7.5 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 3.6% in February 2017, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.4 percentage points. You can also compare Salem unemployment with unemployment in other cities.

Unemployment Rate	February 2018	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	4.1%	0.0	-0.6
Oregon	4.1%	0.0	0.0
Salem	4.0%	+0.2	+0.4

Note: Metro level data is now seasonally adjusted.¹ All comparisons are made with February 2018 data as March 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 14,723 fewer people unemployed in the metropolitan area. From a recent trough of 7,148 in February 2017, the number of unemployed has now grown by 1,013. Salem employment and jobs data (including jobs lost/gained in Salem, Oregon) is also available.

Unemployed Persons	February 2018	Month/Month	Year/Year
Salem	8,161	+289	+1,013

Number of Unemployed Persons

Salem, Oregon Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Oregon Unemployment Rate	Salem Unemployment Rate	Salem Unemployed
March 2018	4.1%	—	—	—
February 2018	4.1%	4.1%	4.0%	8,161
January 2018	4.1%	4.1%	3.8%	7,872
December 2017	4.1%	4.1%	4.0%	8,256
November 2017	4.1%	4.2%	4.2%	8,596
October 2017	4.1%	4.2%	4.6%	9,478
September 2017	4.2%	4.2%	4.8%	9,902
August 2017	4.4%	4.2%	4.7%	9,600
July 2017	4.3%	4.1%	4.4%	9,036
June 2017	4.3%	4.1%	4.1%	8,289
May 2017	4.3%	4.1%	3.8%	7,747
April 2017	4.4%	4.1%	3.8%	7,654