Non-profits surpass manufacturing jobs (Intel, Daimler bleed)

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon Foundation

As major Oregon manufacturers Intel and Daimler North America make deep cuts to their workforces in Oregon, a Portland Business Journal report notes that employment in Oregon’s burgeoning nonprofit sector now threatens to surpass the state’s total manufacturing employment base.

“All told, nonprofits comprise 6% of all businesses in the state. They supply about 10% of all state jobs, or about the same as Oregon’s manufacturers.”

In addition, the state’s nonprofit workers earn more ($70,596) than the average private business employee ($69,905), according to Oregon Employment Department statistics.

With the non-profit sector heavily reliant on grants, it begs the question of how sustainable this trend is for Oregon’s economic future.