2024-2034 Projections Show Broad-Based Employment Growth in Northwest Oregon
April 23, 2026The Northwest Oregon Workforce Area (Benton, Clatsop, Columbia, Lincoln, and Tillamook counties) will add nearly 6,000 jobs between 2024 and 2034. This represents a 5% increase in employment over 10 years. This growth stems from anticipated private-sector gains of roughly 5,000 jobs (6%), 600 jobs in government (2%), and an addition of 240 jobs in self-employment (3%). Beyond gains from economic growth, an additional 132,000 job openings will be created by 2034 as workers change occupations or leave employment for other reasons, such as retirement.
The 2024-2034 employment projections bring together several ongoing trends over the past few years. Healthcare is expected to continue to add jobs at more than twice the rate of the region at large (12%), due in part to increased demand for services from an aging population. Professional and technical services continues to be the industry with the largest projected growth on a percentage basis at 17%. Another trend expected to continue is slower growth in the public sector than the private sector. Government is expected to add jobs at a third of the rate of the private sector (2% versus 6%, respectively).
Industry Projections
There will be job growth in most broad private-sector industries by 2034.
Private education and health services is expected to add the most jobs (+1,810). Leisure and hospitality is expected to add the second most jobs (+1,280) and grow at a faster rate than the region as a whole (8%). The public sector is expected to add 610 jobs overall. Federal government is expected to decrease by 5%, a loss of 60 jobs. State and local governments are expected to grow by 4% and 3%, respectively. State government is expected to add 60 jobs over the decade, while local government is expected to add 610 jobs, with nearly half of that growth centered in local education.
Two industries are expected to lose a small number of jobs by 2034. Natural resources and mining is expected to decrease by about 20 jobs (-1%). Manufacturing is projected to remain nearly flat with a loss of 40 jobs. Those job losses come from expected losses in paper manufacturing over the decade.
Between 2024 and 2034, there will be job openings in all occupations in Northwest Oregon.
Service occupations are expected to have the most job openings over the decade. Many of these jobs are present in industries tied to tourism, such as leisure and hospitality and retail trade. These occupations highlight how replacement openings shape the available job market much more than job growth tied to economic expansion.
Occupations with the most job openings in Northwest Oregon, 2024-2034
- Fast Food and Counter Workers
- Educational Instruction and Library Workers
- Cashiers
- Retail Salespersons
- Waiters and Waitresses
- Stockers and Order Fillers
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
- Cooks, Restaurant
- Janitors and Cleaners
Healthcare as well as professional and technical services occupations are expected to be some of the fastest growing occupations in the region. Nurse practitioners have been a fast-growing occupation for several years and are expected to continue to grow faster than all other occupations. Data scientists, surveying and mapping technicians, and civil engineers highlight the growing demand for technical services across the region. Finally, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental heath counselors are expected to grow by nearly 21%.
Fastest growing occupations in Northwest Oregon, 2024-2034
- Nurse Practitioners
- Psychiatric Technicians
- Data Scientists
- Physician Assistants
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians
- Medical and Health Services Managers
- Veterinarians
- Civil Engineers
- Operations Research Analysts
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
Other Regional Projections
All areas of Oregon expect to see job opportunities due to both economic growth and to replace workers leaving the labor force or their occupation in the coming years. Central Oregon (7%) and the Portland Tri-County area (7%) are expected to grow faster than the statewide average of 6%. Northwest Oregon is expected to grow slightly slower than the statewide average at 5%.