Industries with the highest employment in Portland, Oregon
Written by:
February 25, 2021
Updated on February 26, 2021
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Industries with the highest employment in Portland, Oregon
The COVID-19 pandemic radically altered the U.S. economy, with unemployment peaking at , according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). While jobs have been gaining since, millions of out-of-work Americans are still searching for jobs.
Before COVID-19 gutted the economy, the United States' economic landscape was , with health care, computer systems design, and scientific industries leading a push for more employment. On the flip side, industries like wired telecommunications, postal service, and textile production are showing a rapid decline. With the development of newer and more advanced technologies every day, the job landscape is shifting and so are the pay demands and prerequisite skills. There is a strong correlation between advanced education and a higher salary鈥攚orkers with higher education levels have higher wages and lower unemployment rates. Of course, it should be noted that obstacles remain for universal access to quality higher education.
compiled a list of industries with the highest employment in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Metro Area using data from . Industries are ranked by number of employees as of 2019.
Keep reading to see which industries in Portland are the surest bets for employment.
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#19. Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Metro Area
- Employed: 781 (0.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -23.9%
National
- Employed: 799,011
- Percent of total employment: 0.5%
- #19 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 781 (0.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -23.9%
National
- Employed: 799,011
- Percent of total employment: 0.5%
- #19 most common industry nationwide
#18. Management of companies and enterprises
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Metro Area
- Employed: 2,877 (0.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +207.0%
National
- Employed: 232,031
- Percent of total employment: 0.1%
- #20 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 2,877 (0.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +207.0%
National
- Employed: 232,031
- Percent of total employment: 0.1%
- #20 most common industry nationwide
#17. Utilities
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Metro Area
- Employed: 10,983 (0.9% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -4.1%
National
- Employed: 1,272,369
- Percent of total employment: 0.8%
- #18 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 10,983 (0.9% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -4.1%
National
- Employed: 1,272,369
- Percent of total employment: 0.8%
- #18 most common industry nationwide
#16. Information
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Metro Area
- Employed: 23,760 (1.8% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -0.6%
National
- Employed: 2,959,616
- Percent of total employment: 1.9%
- #16 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 23,760 (1.8% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -0.6%
National
- Employed: 2,959,616
- Percent of total employment: 1.9%
- #16 most common industry nationwide
#15. Arts, entertainment, and recreation
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Metro Area
- Employed: 27,647 (2.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +40.0%
National
- Employed: 3,532,697
- Percent of total employment: 2.2%
- #14 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 27,647 (2.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +40.0%
National
- Employed: 3,532,697
- Percent of total employment: 2.2%
- #14 most common industry nationwide
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#14. Real estate and rental and leasing
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Metro Area
- Employed: 28,693 (2.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +12.4%
National
- Employed: 3,034,330
- Percent of total employment: 1.9%
- #15 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 28,693 (2.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +12.4%
National
- Employed: 3,034,330
- Percent of total employment: 1.9%
- #15 most common industry nationwide
#13. Wholesale trade
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Metro Area
- Employed: 37,347 (2.9% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +9.4%
National
- Employed: 4,013,368
- Percent of total employment: 2.5%
- #13 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 37,347 (2.9% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +9.4%
National
- Employed: 4,013,368
- Percent of total employment: 2.5%
- #13 most common industry nationwide
#12. Public administration
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Metro Area
- Employed: 48,105 (3.7% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +18.8%
National
- Employed: 7,140,292
- Percent of total employment: 4.5%
- #11 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 48,105 (3.7% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +18.8%
National
- Employed: 7,140,292
- Percent of total employment: 4.5%
- #11 most common industry nationwide
#11. Finance and insurance
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Metro Area
- Employed: 50,849 (3.9% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +5.1%
National
- Employed: 7,263,440
- Percent of total employment: 4.6%
- #10 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 50,849 (3.9% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +5.1%
National
- Employed: 7,263,440
- Percent of total employment: 4.6%
- #10 most common industry nationwide
#10. Administrative and support and waste management services
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Metro Area
- Employed: 51,616 (4.0% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +25.2%
National
- Employed: 6,766,918
- Percent of total employment: 4.3%
- #12 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 51,616 (4.0% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +25.2%
National
- Employed: 6,766,918
- Percent of total employment: 4.3%
- #12 most common industry nationwide
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#9. Other services, except public administration
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Metro Area
- Employed: 57,730 (4.5% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +9.2%
National
- Employed: 7,584,054
- Percent of total employment: 4.8%
- #9 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 57,730 (4.5% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +9.2%
National
- Employed: 7,584,054
- Percent of total employment: 4.8%
- #9 most common industry nationwide
#8. Transportation and warehousing
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Metro Area
- Employed: 59,874 (4.6% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +47.0%
National
- Employed: 7,665,636
- Percent of total employment: 4.8%
- #8 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 59,874 (4.6% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +47.0%
National
- Employed: 7,665,636
- Percent of total employment: 4.8%
- #8 most common industry nationwide
#7. Construction
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Metro Area
- Employed: 81,851 (6.3% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +34.8%
National
- Employed: 11,036,894
- Percent of total employment: 7.0%
- #7 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 81,851 (6.3% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +34.8%
National
- Employed: 11,036,894
- Percent of total employment: 7.0%
- #7 most common industry nationwide
#6. Accommodation and food services
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Metro Area
- Employed: 89,096 (6.9% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +27.3%
National
- Employed: 11,801,878
- Percent of total employment: 7.4%
- #5 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 89,096 (6.9% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +27.3%
National
- Employed: 11,801,878
- Percent of total employment: 7.4%
- #5 most common industry nationwide
#5. Educational services
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Metro Area
- Employed: 103,293 (8.0% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +22.9%
National
- Employed: 14,839,461
- Percent of total employment: 9.3%
- #4 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 103,293 (8.0% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +22.9%
National
- Employed: 14,839,461
- Percent of total employment: 9.3%
- #4 most common industry nationwide
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#4. Professional, scientific, and technical services
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Metro Area
- Employed: 116,493 (9.0% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +55.0%
National
- Employed: 11,765,340
- Percent of total employment: 7.4%
- #6 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 116,493 (9.0% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +55.0%
National
- Employed: 11,765,340
- Percent of total employment: 7.4%
- #6 most common industry nationwide
#3. Retail trade
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Metro Area
- Employed: 141,418 (10.9% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +17.3%
National
- Employed: 17,216,634
- Percent of total employment: 10.8%
- #2 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 141,418 (10.9% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +17.3%
National
- Employed: 17,216,634
- Percent of total employment: 10.8%
- #2 most common industry nationwide
#2. Manufacturing
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Metro Area
- Employed: 156,458 (12.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +19.2%
National
- Employed: 15,770,698
- Percent of total employment: 9.9%
- #3 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 156,458 (12.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +19.2%
National
- Employed: 15,770,698
- Percent of total employment: 9.9%
- #3 most common industry nationwide
#1. Health care and social assistance
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Metro Area
- Employed: 187,351 (14.5% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +31.6%
National
- Employed: 22,131,751
- Percent of total employment: 13.9%
- #1 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 187,351 (14.5% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +31.6%
National
- Employed: 22,131,751
- Percent of total employment: 13.9%
- #1 most common industry nationwide
