Find a Job You Really Want In
Are you preparing for a job search in 2026?
The landscape of job markets has significantly evolved, and understanding the current state of employment opportunities in your region is crucial. Cities within Oregon showcase vastly different job markets, and your experience in one area may be starkly different from another. Some regions may offer a wealth of opportunities, while others could present challenges in securing interviews.
At Zippia, we dive deep into the data to reveal where it is currently easiest to land a job in Oregon.
Here are the ten hottest job markets in Oregon for 2026.
The 10 Hottest Job Markets In Oregon
These ten cities represent the best environments for job seekers in Oregon today. If your city isn’t listed, continue reading to find out where it ranks in the complete list.
How We Determined the Best Job Markets in Oregon
Using the latest data from the Census American Community Survey, we analyzed major Oregon metro areas with a civilian workforce exceeding 5,000.
While the unemployment rate provides insight into the job market, it only tells part of the story. To paint a comprehensive picture, we assessed four key factors in ranking these job markets:
- Unemployment Rate
- Change in Unemployment Rate
- Household Income Growth
- Current Average Household Income
A lower score in each category indicates a stronger job market. For instance, Happy Valley had the lowest unemployment rate at 2.75%, earning it the top spot. These four categories were averaged to create the final ranking of the 44 metro areas, with the most favorable job markets appearing at the top of the list.
1. Sherwood
Unemployment Rate: 2.95%
Average Income: $118,144
2. West Linn
Unemployment Rate: 4.14%
Average Income: $138,142
3. Happy Valley
Unemployment Rate: 2.75%
Average Income: $156,270
4. Lake Oswego
Unemployment Rate: 3.17%
Average Income: $151,917
5. Portland
Unemployment Rate: 5.45%
Average Income: $90,382
6. Bend
Unemployment Rate: 4.77%
Average Income: $86,969
7. Tigard
Unemployment Rate: 4.97%
Average Income: $95,435
8. Tualatin
Unemployment Rate: 4.55%
Average Income: $101,757
9. Wilsonville
Unemployment Rate: 4.07%
Average Income: $102,111
10. Hillsboro
Unemployment Rate: 5.05%
Average Income: $91,173
Measuring the Best Job Markets in Oregon
If you reside in Happy Valley and are struggling with unemployment, you might question the accuracy of these rankings. This is understandable.
While Happy Valley leads the pack in job market strength, individual circumstances such as education, work experience, and occupation significantly influence employment success. Nevertheless, job seekers in high-ranking areas like Happy Valley generally have better prospects than those in lower-ranked regions.
Detailed List of the Hottest Job Markets in Oregon
| Rank | Place | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sherwood | 2.95% |
| 2 | West Linn | 4.14% |
| 3 | Happy Valley | 2.75% |
| 4 | Lake Oswego | 3.17% |
| 5 | Portland | 5.45% |
| 6 | Bend | 4.77% |
| 7 | Tigard | 4.97% |
| 8 | Tualatin | 4.55% |
| 9 | Wilsonville | 4.07% |
| 10 | Hillsboro | 5.05% |
| 11 | Milwaukie | 4.46% |
| 12 | Oregon | 4.94% |
| 13 | Salem | 6.27% |
| 14 | Beaverton | 5.35% |
| 15 | Canby | 3.97% |
| 16 | Redmond | 6.72% |
| 17 | Hermiston | 6.05% |
| 18 | Keizer | 5.74% |
| 19 | Sandy | 2.96% |
| 20 | Gladstone | 6.88% |
| 21 | Ashland | 5.21% |
| 22 | Forest Grove | 7.31% |
| 23 | Cornelius | 4.78% |
| 24 | Albany | 7.9% |
| 25 | Corvallis | 6.95% |
| 26 | Lebanon | 7.32% |
| 27 | Troutdale | 6.41% |
| 28 | Medford | 6.95% |
| 29 | Mcminnville | 5.85% |
| 30 | Central Point | 6.75% |
| 31 | St. Helens | 6.37% |
| 32 | Newberg | 4.54% |
| 33 | Eugene | 6.96% |
| 34 | Gresham | 6.86% |
| 35 | The Dalles | 4.37% |
| 36 | Woodburn | 5.58% |
| 37 | La Grande | 8.04% |
| 38 | Dallas | 8.18% |
| 39 | Pendleton | 11.39% |
| 40 | Roseburg | 8.05% |
| 41 | Grants Pass | 6.07% |
| 42 | Klamath Falls | 10.27% |
| 43 | Coos Bay | 8.31% |
| 44 | Springfield | 8.05% |
Author
Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.
