Oregon reported 83,000 job openings in August 2025, according to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This figure is slightly lower than July’s total of 84,000 openings. Regional Commissioner Chris Rosenlund stated that “the job openings rate in Oregon was 4.0 percent in August, unchanged from the previous month.” Nationally, the job openings rate also remained steady at 4.3 percent.
The ratio of unemployed persons per job opening in Oregon stood at 1.3 for August. In comparison, 34 states and the District of Columbia had ratios below the national average of 1.0 unemployed persons per job opening during the same period; 13 states recorded higher ratios and three matched the national measure.
In terms of hiring activity, Oregon saw an increase with 71,000 hires in August compared to 64,000 in July. Separations—employees leaving jobs for any reason—rose as well, reaching 81,000 in August versus July’s count of 71,000. Over the past year ending in August, monthly averages were reported at 73,000 hires and 70,000 separations.
Breaking down separations further: “Among the August separations in Oregon, 45,000 were quits and 23,000 were layoffs and discharges, compared to 45,000 quits and 21,000 layoffs and discharges in July.” Over a twelve-month span through August, quits averaged about 44,000 per month while layoffs and discharges averaged around 21,000.
The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) provides these figures by incorporating data from several sources including JOLTS samples as well as employment statistics programs such as QCEW and CES.
Job openings are defined as positions open on the last business day of each reference month if they meet specific criteria outlined by JOLTS methodology. The ratio of unemployed persons per job opening compares unemployment estimates from both national surveys like CPS and state models such as LAUS; a ratio above one indicates more competition among unemployed individuals for available jobs.
Hires reflect all payroll additions during a given month while separations account for departures categorized into quits or involuntary exits like layoffs or discharges.
Further technical definitions regarding these statistics can be found through resources provided by BLS.
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