Oregon unemployment rate drops to 6 percent

PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon’s jobless rate dipped to 6 percent in October, down from 6.2 percent the month before.

The state Employment Department said Tuesday that Oregon gained 2,100 jobs, led by construction, manufacturing, professional services and leisure and hospitality. Two industries that declined were private educational services and transportation, warehousing and utilities.

The Employment Department also sharply revised its September numbers. The agency says Oregon dropped 900 jobs that month, not the 5,300 initially reported. The stats are revised each month to account for firms that report late.

The unemployment rate at this time last year was nearly 7 percent. The two industries expanding the fastest during the past year: construction and health care and social assistance.