Employment decreased in 5 of the 7 largest counties in Oregon from September 2024 to September 2025, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regional Commissioner Chris Rosenlund noted that Washington County had the largest over-the-year decrease in employment, with a loss of 3.9 percent. (See chart 1 and table 1.)

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Chart 1. Over-the-year percent change in covered employment among the largest counties in Oregon, September 2025

County	Percent change, September 2025
Washington	-3.9
Clackamas	-1.9
Lane	-1.4
Multnomah	-1.1
Deschutes	-0.6
Jackson	0.0
Marion	1.4

Among the seven largest counties in Oregon, employment was highest in Multnomah (492,600) in September 2025. Together, the seven largest counties accounted for 74.7 percent of total covered employment within the state. Nationwide, the 372 largest counties comprise 73.2 percent of total covered employment in the United States. (Large counties and county equivalents are those with annual average employment levels of 75,000 or more in 2024.)

All seven large Oregon counties reported average weekly wage increases over the year. (See chart 2.) Marion had the largest increase (+6.0 percent). Over-the-year wage changes for Oregon's other large counties ranged from 5.6 percent to 3.2 percent.

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Chart 2. Over-the-year percent change in covered average weekly wages among the largest counties in Oregon, third quarter 2025

County	Percent change, third quarter 2025
Marion	6.0
Deschutes	5.6
Jackson	4.4
Lane	4.4
Clackamas	4.3
Multnomah	3.8
Washington	3.2

Weekly wages in 2 of the 7 largest counties in Oregon were above the national average of $1,459. Average weekly wages ranged from $1,780 in Washington to $1,160 in Jackson.

Employment and wage levels (but not over-the-year changes) are also available for the 29 small counties in Oregon, defined as having employment below 75,000 in 2024. (See table 2.) Wage levels in all 29 smaller counties were below the national average. Morrow reported the highest average weekly wage ($1,403). Wheeler reported the lowest average weekly wage ($864) in the state.

Among all 36 Oregon counties, 8 reported average weekly wages of less than $1,050, 10 had wages from $1,050 to $1,099, 5 had wages from $1,100 to $1,149, and 13 had average weekly wages of $1,150 or higher. (See map 1 and table 2.)