{"schema_version": 1, "id": "corvalis-or-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10", "product": "Metro Job Market Pulse", "metro": {"geography_id": 167, "label": "Corvalis, OR MSA", "slug": "corvalis-or-msa"}, "focus_area": {"key": "general_conditions", "slug": "metro-job-market", "label": "General Market Conditions"}, "period": "2026-10", "public_after": "2026-10-01", "frozen_at": "2026-11-03T07:34:52.531935+00:00", "headline": "Corvallis outpaces Oregon, but strength looks narrow", "headline_summary": "Benton County's 4.1% unemployment rate beats Oregon's 5.0% statewide average, even as local manufacturing wages climb 22% above the national median while management-tier pay for warehouse and account roles falls sharply.", "key_indicators": [{"label": "Benton County unemployment", "value": "4.1%", "context": "vs. 5.0% Oregon, 4.2% U.S. (Sept. 2026)"}, {"label": "Oregon annual payroll growth", "value": "0.1%", "context": "2,600 jobs added statewide over 12 months"}, {"label": "Metro avg. hourly wage", "value": "$35.58", "context": "vs. $33.54 national average (May 2025)"}, {"label": "Oregon wage growth ranking", "value": "30th nationally", "context": "2020-2026, down from historical top-5 status"}], "takeaways": [{"headline": "Corvallis is outperforming Oregon, but on a narrow base.", "body": "A 4.1% unemployment rate beats the state's 5.0% and sits at the national average, but the advantage traces largely to education and public-sector anchors, with diversified private-sector growth still limited. Commerce leaders should weigh whether this resilience extends to goods-producing and service sectors facing statewide contraction."}, {"headline": "Manufacturing wages are climbing locally even as the sector shrinks statewide.", "body": "Manufacturing production worker pay in the metro rose significantly to $48,402, well above the $39,520 national median, even as Oregon manufacturing shed 4,300 jobs over the past year. That divergence may suggest local manufacturers are competing hard for a shrinking pool of specialized workers, with broad headcount expansion still limited."}, {"headline": "Management-tier pay softness could flag caution in local business expansion.", "body": "Warehouse manager pay ($89,000) and account manager pay ($79,432) both fell significantly, a pattern distinct from the stable-to-rising trend in frontline and technical roles. Downward movement concentrated in management tiers is consistent with employers delaying expansion-related hiring even where frontline demand holds."}, {"headline": "Real wages are eroding nationally, and Corvallis is not exempt.", "body": "National median weekly earnings rose 1.5% against 3.5% CPI growth in Q3, and Oregon has fallen to 30th nationally in cumulative wage growth since 2020. Local wage levels remain above national medians in several roles, but the erosion of purchasing power statewide is a headwind for consumer-facing business activity in the metro."}], "local_conditions": "Benton County's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held at 4.1% in September, one of only three Oregon counties at or below the national rate of 4.2%, while the metro's education-anchored employment base \u2014 Oregon State University and related institutions account for 11.5% of local jobs versus 5.7% nationally \u2014 continues to insulate Corvallis from the manufacturing and government job losses affecting the rest of the state. Statewide stagnation (0.1% annual payroll growth, unemployment stuck between 5.0% and 5.3% for 19 months) has not yet reached Benton County, where local average hourly wages of $35.58 outpace the national average of $33.54.", "implications": "Corvallis's labor market reads stronger than Oregon's as a whole, a position tied to the stability of its institutional and public-sector anchors, which should inform how commerce leaders calibrate local investment and expansion timing against statewide headlines of manufacturing and government contraction. Divergent local pay signals \u2014 manufacturing production wages up significantly while warehouse management and account manager pay are down significantly \u2014 suggest the metro's advertised wage gains are concentrated in specific sectors, a distinction that matters for anyone reading county-level unemployment data as a uniform signal of strength. Current conditions suggest monitoring sector-level pay divergence locally before treating the county's favorable unemployment rate as evidence of across-the-board economic momentum.", "looking_ahead": [{"category": "Expected data release", "body": "Oregon Employment Department publishes October county-level unemployment data on November 24, the first look at whether Benton County's favorable standing held through the month. A widening gap from the state average would reinforce the metro's relative resilience; convergence would suggest the county is catching down."}, {"category": "Worth watching", "body": "Statewide health insurer PacificSource has filed four rounds of WARN layoffs since September 2025, with 134 more positions cut across Oregon by December 31. No Benton County-specific WARN activity has surfaced this month, but commerce leaders should watch whether healthcare-sector disruption spreads beyond the Springfield-Bend-Salem-Portland corridor already affected."}, {"category": "Emerging pressure point", "body": "Statewide labor force participation is softening as retirements accelerate, a demographic trend Oregon Employment Department data ties to the 19-month unemployment plateau. Corvallis's university and institutional employment base may buffer this locally, but commerce leaders expanding operations should track whether the local labor pool is deepening or thinning."}, {"category": "Potential inflection point", "body": "National job ads growth, a signal of hiring demand where one ad often covers several openings, turned positive year-over-year (+2.8%) for the first time since late 2025, per Indeed's Job Postings Index. Whether that national inflection shows up in local job-ad volume over the next data cycle will help clarify if Corvallis's hiring demand is building or simply holding steady."}], "roles": [{"role": "Retail Sales Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 28730.0, "metro_p50": 34468.0, "metro_p75": 38384.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 33340.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Retail Cashier", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 32166.0, "metro_p50": 33280.0, "metro_p75": 34320.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 31268.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Warehouse/Fulfillment Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 31121.0, "metro_p50": 37960.0, "metro_p75": 37960.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 38480.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "CDL Truck Driver", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 64904.0, "metro_p50": 78593.2, "metro_p75": 87844.75, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 78872.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Delivery Driver", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 30636.0, "metro_p50": 33771.2, "metro_p75": 36400.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 34826.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Construction Laborer", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 37470.0, "metro_p50": 43680.0, "metro_p75": 46862.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 40726.6, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Electrician", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 73290.5, "metro_p50": 81330.0, "metro_p75": 88500.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 71835.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Manufacturing Production Worker/Assembler", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 44720.0, "metro_p50": 48401.6, "metro_p75": 48922.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 39520.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Customer Service Representative", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 37792.25, "metro_p50": 43264.0, "metro_p75": 46820.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 39520.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Food Service Worker", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 31676.5, "metro_p50": 36920.0, "metro_p75": 40335.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 33764.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Certified Nursing Assistant / Home Health Aide", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 39708.0, "metro_p50": 54152.0, "metro_p75": 54153.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 41600.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Administrative Assistant/Office Clerk", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 36363.0, "metro_p50": 46800.0, "metro_p75": 52000.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 44552.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "HVAC Technician", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 65520.0, "metro_p50": 76960.0, "metro_p75": 83274.75, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 71406.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Registered Nurse", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 107494.0, "metro_p50": 122895.2, "metro_p75": 128231.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 102252.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Software Engineer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 78821.0, "metro_p50": 103174.0, "metro_p75": 114400.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 154403.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Data Engineer", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 99902.0, "metro_p50": 140971.0, "metro_p75": 156063.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 138000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Accountant", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 59280.0, "metro_p50": 63448.4, "metro_p75": 63875.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 72000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Financial Analyst", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 77006.0, "metro_p50": 95659.0, "metro_p75": 105046.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 94646.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "HR Generalist/Manager", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 61827.0, "metro_p50": 78000.0, "metro_p75": 85000.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 74477.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Marketing Specialist", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 53500.0, "metro_p50": 68208.0, "metro_p75": 79713.5, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 62916.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Operations Manager", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 74251.25, "metro_p50": 84721.6, "metro_p75": 97465.75, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 86294.2, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Elementary/Secondary School Teacher", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 39520.0, "metro_p50": 61986.8, "metro_p75": 72323.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 55908.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Account Manager", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 70103.0, "metro_p50": 79431.6, "metro_p75": 92500.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 94009.4, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Warehouse Manager", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 62370.0, "metro_p50": 89000.0, "metro_p75": 109959.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 75000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Business Analyst", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 82917.0, "metro_p50": 94801.8, "metro_p75": 106024.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 98302.2, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}], "industry_snapshot": [{"sector": "Construction", "median_pay": 67600.0, "pay_trend_direction": "stable", "pay_trend_magnitude": "stable", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Manufacturing", "median_pay": 93725.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Retail Trade", "median_pay": 34840.0, "pay_trend_direction": "stable", "pay_trend_magnitude": "stable", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities", "median_pay": 64905.0, "pay_trend_direction": "stable", "pay_trend_magnitude": "stable", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Information", "median_pay": 118600.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Financial Activities", "median_pay": 51151.0, "pay_trend_direction": "stable", "pay_trend_magnitude": "stable", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Professional & Business Services", "median_pay": 79709.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Education & Health Services", "median_pay": 89860.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Leisure & Hospitality", "median_pay": 33332.0, "pay_trend_direction": "stable", "pay_trend_magnitude": "stable", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Government", "median_pay": 66906.5, "pay_trend_direction": "down", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "stable", "postings_trend_magnitude": "stable"}], "citations": [{"source_name": "Oregon Employment Department", "source_url": null, "statement": "Benton County unemployment at 4.1%, one of three OR counties at/below U.S. rate"}, {"source_name": "Oregon Employment Department / BLS", "source_url": null, "statement": "Corvallis educational employment at 11.5% of local jobs vs. 5.7% national"}, {"source_name": "Oregon Employment Department", "source_url": null, "statement": "Oregon manufacturing employment fell 4,300 jobs over the past year"}, {"source_name": "Oregon Employment Department / state wage analysis", "source_url": null, "statement": "Oregon ranks 30th nationally in wage growth 2020-2026"}, {"source_name": "Oregon WARN Act filings", "source_url": null, "statement": "PacificSource filed WARN notice for 134 workers effective Dec. 31"}, {"source_name": "Indeed Hiring Lab", "source_url": null, "statement": "National Job Postings Index up 2.8% year-over-year in October"}], "methodology": "Advertised pay from active employer job postings, not survey data. WageScape's median is calibrated to correct for spurious low-value postings: distribution analysis shows roughly the lowest 10% of raw values are erroneous entries, so the reported median is the 60th percentile of raw advertised pay.", "edition_label": "November 2026", "files": {"html": "corvalis-or-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.html", "pdf": "corvalis-or-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.pdf", "sources_html": "corvalis-or-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.sources.html"}, "published_at": "2026-11-03T08:20:33.117255+00:00", "report_html_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/corvalis-or-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.html", "report_pdf_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/corvalis-or-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.pdf"}