PORTLAND – Oregon’s unemployment rate fell modestly in October as the state’s employers continued adding jobs.
The jobless rate dropped from 5.5 percent in September to 5.3 percent last month, according to data out Tuesday from the Oregon Employment Department. The state added 55,400 jobs, a growth rate of 3.1 percent.
The fastest-growing industries were construction, health care and social assistance, leisure and hospitality, government, and retailing.
Oregon’s labor participation rate — representing the number of people in the work force — is also climbing, up to 63.3 percent from 61.3 percent.