Oregon added 29,500 new jobs over the past 12 months, representing an annual growth rate of 1.5%. The current pace of job growth continues the slowdown that started in mid-2018. I am not overly concerned by this slowdown in growth, as it is typical for this stage in the economic cycle.

Job growth in Idaho continues to moderate. The state added 19,400 new jobs over the past 12 months, representing an annual growth rate of 2.7%. That said, the growth rate remains well above the national average of 1.7%. In March, Idaho’s unemployment rate was 2.9%, matching the level seen a year ago.

Washington State employment slowed to an annual growth rate of 1.7% — a level not seen since 2012 — and continues a trend of slowing that started in the summer of 2018. Over the past 12 months, the state added 56,100 new jobs. Month-over-month, all metropolitan areas in the state either saw the number of jobs contract or remain at their existing levels. This is a little unusual and may be...

Utah’s economy continues to outperform the country with the addition of 43,700 non-agricultural jobs over the past 12 months, representing a growth rate of 3.1% that is very solid compared to the U.S. rate of 1.7%. However, growth has started to slow — albeit modestly — and this is likely to continue given the maturity of the economic cycle...