Available Workforce:
The Douglas County workforce is over 45,000, and as of 2009, over 10,000 Douglas County residents were commuting out of the County for employment. Douglas County employers are also able to tap workers from Eugene (MSA workforce of 180,000, 1 hour to the north) and Medford (workforce of 100,000, 1.5 hours to the south) (driving times from Roseburg).
Unemployment (October 2011 report here)
As of May 2011, Douglas County’s economy is recovering from a severe recession. What started in construction and manufacturing spread to the more localized economy with employment losses in retail trade and services. The seasonally adjusted rate peaked in May 2009 at 16.2 percent while the unadjusted rate peaked at 17.9 percent in March of that year- the highest March rate recorded since 1982 when it was 19.3 percent. The rate has since dropped to 12.5 percent.
Wage Rates
| Wages for Largest Employment Occupations in Douglas County, 2011 | ||
| SOC Code | Occupational Title | Annual Mean Wage |
| 41-2031 | Retail Salespersons | $25,490 |
| 35-3021 | Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food | $29,422 |
| 53-3032 | Truck Drivers, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer | $37,170 |
| 53-7062 | Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $28,285 |
| 41-2011 | Cashiers | $21,844 |
| 29-1111 | Registered Nurses | $72,618 |
| 43-9061 | Office Clerks, General | $28,592 |
| 37-2011 | Janitors and Cleaners | $29,422 |
| 43-3031 | Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $31,697 |
| 66-2051 | Home Care Workers | $39,996 |
| 53-7063 | Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $28,285 |
| 35-3031 | Waiters and Waitresses | $29,422 |
| 25-9041 | Teacher Assistants | $26,137 |
| 25-2021 | Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $47,845 |
| 43-6014 | Secretaries, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $28,111 |
| 37-2012 | Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $29,422 |
| 53-6031 | Service Station Attendants | $20,015 |
| 53-7051 | Fork Lift, Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $33,362 |
| 49-9042 | Maintenance and Repair Workers, General | $38,923 |
| 25-2031 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Vocational Education | $48,026 |
| 43-4171 | Receptionists and Information Clerks | $23,805 |
The most recent quarterly report on covered employment and wages is here.
For an industry-specific reports, on employment, wages, and establishments, visit: OLMIS Business Information Center. Current Employment Statistics are also available by County and Industry.
Information on specific occupations — both statewide and Douglas County — is available through OLMIS Occupational Information Center or their Occupational Explorer.
To request detailed information for labor wates and labor availability by occupation, contact info@uedpartnership.org or Annette Shelton-Tiderman, Oregon Employment Department, Workforce Analyst, 541-530-0605, Annette.I.Shelton-Tiderman@state.or.us .
