Total payroll employment in Josephine County fell by 290 jobs in January, but it was little changed over the past year.
According to the Oregon Employment Department, there were 32,436 people working in Josephine County in January for a seasonally-adjusted jobless rate of 7.4%, which was up sharply over the 5.8% mark in December.
Retail trade had the largest estimated decline while seasonal industries leisure & hospitality and construction also lost jobs. Transportation, warehousing & utilities, professional & business services, private education & health services, and financial activities all declined in the first month of 2025.
Manufacturing bucked the overall trend with a gain of 20 jobs in January. Federal government fell by 20 jobs.
Over the past year, payroll employment in Josephine County was little changed, up by 20 jobs.
Industries adding jobs since January 2024 included leisure & hospitality (+260) and other services (+70). Industries losing jobs over the year were retail trade (-130), manufacturing (-110), professional & business services (-70), wholesale trade (-40) and construction (-30).
Government employment rose by 80 jobs over the year. Gains were posted in state (+50) and local government (+30).
