SALEM, Ore. — Oregon state officials say the pace of job growth in Oregon has slowed in recent months, and figures Tuesday reflect that.
The state Employment Department said the unemployment rate remained at 7.1 percent in September, and payroll employment was down by 300 jobs.
The unemployment rate has been at about 7.0 percent during 2014.
Especially early in the year, hiring picked up, so unemployed workers returned to the labor force to look for jobs.
The agency said jobs were up by about 4,200 in August before dropping by 300 in September.
For the 12 months ending in September, the state recorded 37,300 additional jobs, a 2.2 percent increase.
