Oregon’s software publishers produce software for banking, payroll, human resources, casinos, computer games and operating systems, to name just a few examples. In the late ’90s, software publishers experienced rapid employment growth while paying wages significantly higher than those of other industries.
Oregon’s software publishers produce software for banking, payroll, human resources, casinos, computer games and operating systems, to name just a few examples. In the late ’90s, software publishers experienced rapid employment growth while paying wages significantly higher than those of other industries. Then came the 2001-2003 recession and employment quickly declined. But growth resumed during the past two years. As of June 2006, the industry had 7,700 employees — 400 more than in June 2005, not including self-employed workers. However, the industry remains almost 2,000 jobs below the pre-recession peak. Like high-tech manufacturing, software publishing is concentrated in Oregon’s metropolitan areas. In 2005, seven counties contained 94% of the state’s software publishing employment, with Washington County dominating, and 10 counties, predominately in Eastern Oregon, reported no jobs in the industry. Software publishing appears to have a promising future with employment projected to grow 22.7% from 2004 to 2014, well above the statewide projected job growth rate of 15%.
— Mary Lee Wright, workforce analyst
Oregon Employment Department
| Software publishing geographic profile and average payroll, 2005 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Area | Employment | Average payroll |
| Oregon total | 7,400 | $84,118 |
| Washington County | 2,883 | $101,061 |
| Multnomah County | 1,931 | $82,833 |
| Lane County | 1,225 | $62,865 |
| Clackamas County | 299 | $72,410 |
| Benton County | 290 | $69,711 |
| Deschutes County | 211 | $75,737 |
| Jackson County | 146 | $57,045 |
