Which PDX job markets are slowing? (Portland, Dallas: best cities, credit card, school)

[SeattlitefromNC]

Originally Posted by oldtintype

Without comparisons it makes it look like Portland has the worst economy or job options in the nation, which obviously isn't true. I'm curious how it compares to other locations as well (or at least places of similar size). I think it's constantly compared to close by (larger) cities such as SF and Seattle but not many other places.

Portland has a VERY BAD job market, though. That is truth. And the reasons why it has a crappy market are a bit unique -- especially the lack of turnover -- but at the end of the day, I doubt highly that there are many other markets where people with graduate degrees are expected to take $8/hr jobs (and that's not counting the income tax)!

I used to do payroll in Seattle. The only people that I saw who made $8/hr in payroll were servers, who then made much more money in tips on top of their pay. Even before I got my bachelor's, it was no problem to be offered $30k a year as an entry level job. And no income tax!

The very same job that I did in Seattle is "worth" about a third of its value in the Portland market. That is unbelievable, and quite frankly, unacceptable. Life is too short to be jerked around.

I think that the number of job markets that are healthier than Portland is much higher than the ones that are not as healthy. Common sense -- and $4 gas -- dictates that someone who has invested $40,000 in their education cannot survive on an $8/hr job.

[Leisesturm]

Originally Posted by SeattlitefromNC

I think that the number of job markets that are healthier than Portland is much higher than the ones that are not as healthy. Common sense -- and $4 gas -- dictates that someone who has invested $40,000 in their education cannot survive on an $8/hr job.

Unless we can come up with some names in this thread we are simply continuing the wild speculation and we don't need another thread to do that. Gas is closer to $4.50 than $4.00 in many places at this point and people invest upwards of $100,000 on their education, so, agreed, they cannot, will not survive on $8/hr. So, again, where is it better?

H

[lucero32]

Unemployment rates can be deceiving in that they do not account for the "underemployed" or people who have stopped looking for full time employment. That being said, it is a valuable tool used to determine the overall state of a regions economy.

I've attached a link to the Dept. of Labor's data regarding unemployment in metropolitan areas. The national avg. is 4.8%, while the greater Portland area's unemployment ranks ties at 93 with a rate of 3.7%. Incidentally, it is equal to Seattle's.

Also, through simple observation one can see that there has to be some gainful employment here in Portland. The shops and restaurants in the Pearl are packed, and I've seen a rise in conspicuous consumption (luxury cars). From my experience, if you are a highly skilled worker, you will find employment in Portland. Regarding people with degrees working for $8.0 an hour, well...it could be by choice or their own lack of planning. It would be interesting to find out how many of these people with degrees were taking internships while at college in an effort to bolster their resumes.

Unemployment Rates for Metropolitan Areas

[SeattlitefromNC]

Originally Posted by Leisesturm

Unless we can come up with some names in this thread we are simply continuing the wild speculation and we don't need another thread to do that. Gas is closer to $4.50 than $4.00 in many places at this point and people invest upwards of $100,000 on their education, so, agreed, they cannot, will not survive on $8/hr. So, again, where is it better?

H

Seattle, New York City, Research Triangle Park, Austin, Houston, Atlanta ...

Those are the ones I know of personally.

[SeattlitefromNC]

Originally Posted by lucero32

Unemployment rates can be deceiving in that they do not account for the "underemployed" or people who have stopped looking for full time employment. That being said, it is a valuable tool used to determine the overall state of a regions economy.

I've attached a link to the Dept. of Labor's data regarding unemployment in metropolitan areas. The national avg. is 4.8%, while the greater Portland area's unemployment ranks ties at 93 with a rate of 3.7%. Incidentally, it is equal to Seattle's.

Also, through simple observation one can see that there has to be some gainful employment here in Portland. The shops and restaurants in the Pearl are packed, and I've seen a rise in conspicuous consumption (luxury cars). From my experience, if you are a highly skilled worker, you will find employment in Portland. Regarding people with degrees working for $8.0 an hour, well...it could be by choice or their own lack of planning. It would be interesting to find out how many of these people with degrees were taking internships while at college in an effort to bolster their resumes.

Unemployment Rates for Metropolitan Areas

Can you seriously tell me that the employment picture is the same as Seattle's?

Have you been to Seattle lately?

Everyone that I know of here is scraping for $8/hr jobs. In Seattle, the pay is about 30% more, with no income tax.

Just look at Craigslist:

Entry to mid-level @ $14/hr (about the average) in Seattle:

Great Entry - Mid Level Adminstrative Position Available!!!!!!!!

"Experienced" administrative assistant in Portland ... $10 to $12/hr:

Administrative Assistant

By the way, rent is about the same in both cities.

That's simple math.

[lucero32]

Regarding my post regarding the unemployment rate. I errored and used Portland, ME and not Portland, OR. Portland OR unemployment is 5.0% and this puts it at 229, with San Diego and above Colorado Springs.

Regarding interpreting the information, it is only data, use it as you'd like. I'm not saying the economics here are equal to that of San Diego, but the unemployment rate is. Take it for what it is.

Oh,and I have visited Seattle recently, it's a great city. Have you visited Portland recently? Take a drive through SE Eastmoreland, or maybe Irvington or Laurelhurst in the NE. How about the West Hills or Dunthorpe. There are people who are thriving and doing well in this city regardless of the 5.0% unemployment. Unemployment and Underemployment are very industry or service specific. While Portland's economy certainly lacks the diversity and size of other cities, it does have core industries which continue to thrive and present economic opportunity.

[Cat_Person]

[quote

Oh,and I have visited Seattle recently, it's a great city. Have you visited Portland recently? Take a drive through SE Eastmoreland, or maybe Irvington or Laurelhurst in the NE. How about the West Hills or Dunthorpe. There are people who are thriving and doing well in this city regardless of the 5.0% unemployment. Unemployment and Underemployment are very industry or service specific. While Portland's economy certainly lacks the diversity and size of other cities, it does have core industries which continue to thrive and present economic opportunity.[/quote]

That's what I was wondering. It doesn't seem that the entire city is homeless...does it?

I live in Ventura county California and the employment situation for a person in my field is a nightmare. There are no positions, period except part-time or on call. I have held 2-3 "part-time" jobs in order to make ends meet. The problem with that is there is no end to it unless you become an independent contractor or start your own business. People who do this usually end up losing "the farm" in an effort to stay alive. We also offer plenty of sub-standard pay positions starting at minimum wage to about $15 an hour. All this on top of California costs of living, some of the highest in the nation, especially in housing. The bubble has burst here in a big way (foreclosure rate at 1000%+) but prices are NOT falling as they should. Consequently, there is a mass exodus out of Ventura County to elsewhere. Santa Barbara has the same problems. So, I am wondering if this problem is specific to Portland, or a problem everywhere to some degree. This may apply to tourist friendly spots, I don't know. I do believe most companies have cut middle-management jobs across the board...and that has left everyone with nowhere to go or "grow to" in a company.

[PNW-type-gal]

Originally Posted by SeattlitefromNC

Can you seriously tell me that the employment picture is the same as Seattle's?

Have you been to Seattle lately?

Everyone that I know of here is scraping for $8/hr jobs. In Seattle, the pay is about 30% more, with no income tax.

Just look at Craigslist:

Entry to mid-level @ $14/hr (about the average) in Seattle:

Great Entry - Mid Level Adminstrative Position Available!!!!!!!!

"Experienced" administrative assistant in Portland ... $10 to $12/hr:

Administrative Assistant

By the way, rent is about the same in both cities.

That's simple math.

The Portland position is temporary, working for a small firm, doing what sounds like a form of dictation and phone receptionist. The Seattle position (Bellevue, actually) is permanent, is a large investment company, and has a very long list of attributes they are looking for. I don't think you can just randomly take jobs off the net and compare them.

Also, Seattle is about 1/3 again bigger than Portland (a 3+ million metro population, compared to Portland's almost 2 million). Generally, the bigger the city, the more jobs, in percentages as well as actual numbers.

[oldtintype]

[quote=SeattlitefromNC;4352631]Can you seriously tell me that the employment picture is the same as Seattle's?

Have you been to Seattle lately?

Everyone that I know of here is scraping for $8/hr jobs. In Seattle, the pay is about 30% more, with no income tax.>>

Where are they working for $8 given that minimum wage is $7.95? I honestly can't say I know anyone working for less than $12 and that includes the various slackers I know.

[blackrabbit]

I can tell you first hand my company pays 80k to 115k in Atlanta and Dallas for senior Cisco engineers and our 2 guys in Portland are getting just over 65k and mainly sitting on the bench as there is little work, we may have to lay off one soon. This reflects both the availability of staff and also the billing rates that we can charge in various markets.