MEDFORD, Ore. (Dec 16, 2025) — Total payroll employment in the Medford metropolitan area, which consists of Jackson County, rose in September as seasonal hiring boosted retail and education jobs, though unemployment remained elevated and overall employment was down from a year earlier.
According to the Oregon Employment Department, Jackson County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.7% in September, placing the Medford metro above most other Oregon metropolitan areas.
Monthly Job Gains
Payroll employment in Jackson County increased by 960 jobs in September, largely reflecting seasonal hiring:
• Retail trade added 790 jobs.
• Local government education employment rose 480 jobs.
Losses were recorded in:
• Leisure and hospitality: −300 jobs
• Construction: −80 jobs
Other published industries showed little change relative to total employment.
Comparison With Other Oregon Areas
Jackson County’s unemployment rate remains slightly higher than other metropolitan areas, though lower than several smaller rural counties in southern Oregon. Recent rates for September include:
• Jackson County (Medford MSA): 5.7% (seasonally adjusted)
• Lane County (Eugene–Springfield MSA): 5.0% (SA)
• Marion County primary (Salem MSA): 5.0% (SA)
• Multnomah County (Portland MSA): 5.9% (SA)
• Deschutes County primary (Bend MSA): 4.9% (SA)
Smaller southern Oregon counties continued to post higher rates:
• Josephine County: 7.3% (SA)
• Klamath County: 7.2% (SA)
• Douglas County: 6.2% (SA)
Year-Over-Year Trends
Despite September’s gains, payroll employment in Jackson County was down 440 jobs over the past year, a decline of 0.5%.
Industries adding jobs since September 2024:
• Health care and social assistance: +410
• Leisure and hospitality: +110
• Transportation, warehousing, and utilities: +70
Industries losing jobs over the year:
• Retail trade: −640
• Manufacturing: −190
• Financial activities: −120
• Other services: −60
• Information: −30
• Wholesale trade: −30
• Mining and logging: −30
Government Employment
Government employment in Jackson County fell by 120 jobs over the year:
• Local government: −60
• Federal government: −50
• State government: −10
Outlook
Economists say September’s job growth reflects seasonal increases, particularly in retail and education, rather than a broad-based acceleration in hiring. Persistent year-over-year losses in retail and manufacturing continue to weigh on the metro’s labor market.
While health care remains a source of growth, analysts note that Jackson County’s unemployment rate remains above several Oregon metropolitan areas, though it is lower than neighboring rural counties.
Additional labor market data are expected in coming months to show whether the Medford metro’s recovery continues into the winter season.
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