The Oregon Employment Department expects jobs in the state will grow by 16% between 2020 and 2030.
The department projected Oregon’s total employment to gain 317,600 jobs in that timeframe, a Thursday news release said.
That’s because the department anticipates historically high job growth over the next decade as the state recovers from low employment and the recession in 2020 brought on by the Covid pandemic.
“In addition, many job openings are expected due to the need to replace workers who leave their occupations,” the news release said.
There were 1,998,400 jobs in Oregon in 2020. The projected increase will include 283,500 jobs in private sector industries, 25,700 government jobs and 8,300 self-employed jobs.
By 2030, the department also expects 2,197,200 job openings to replace workers who retire or change jobs.
It projected all sectors will add jobs by 2030 in Oregon, with leisure and hospitality growing the fastest and adding the most jobs at 73,800. That’s a 46% growth from 2020 largely due to economic recovery from Covid. “Restaurants, hotels, and arts, cultural, and recreational establishments are expected to see increased demand as in-person and recreational activities resume,” the news release said.
The department expects the second-largest number of jobs added to be in private health care and social assistance, growing 19% by adding 51,000 jobs, due to the state’s population growing in both numbers and age.
-Ardeshir Tabrizian
