BUSINESS

Oregon unemployment rate stuck at a low 4.1 percent

Associated Press

Data from the Oregon Employment Department says people under age 35 make less than the same age group in 2000.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon's low unemployment rate refuses to budge.

The state Employment Department said Tuesday the jobless rate for March was 4.1 percent — the same as in February, January and December. It was also 4.1 percent in March 2017.

Oregon's nonfarm payroll employment increased by 4,200 jobs last month, following a revised gain of 700 jobs in February.

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Manufacturing rebounded in March after a lackluster February, and state economists say the retail industry has been hiring at a strong clip after a tepid holiday-hiring season. Motor vehicles and parts dealers have been adding a lot of workers in the retail sector, and food and beverage outlets have also been hiring.

Another unemployment measure, known as U-6, was at 8.3 percent in March, slightly below the 8.6 percent recorded in March 2017. The figure includes discouraged workers who stopped looking and part-time workers who want but can't get full-time jobs.

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