Grant Butler/The Oregonian

Oregon's unemployment number

, the lowest number on record since the state started keeping records in 1976. That compares to 3.9 percent unemployment nationally in August.

Even with the relatively low number of people out of work, retailers and those in the package delivery business are hoping to hire a lot of people for the holiday season.

that nationally, retailers are expected to hire more than 700,000 seasonal workers for the 2018 holiday season.

In Oregon, the low unemployment rate and high demand for seasonal employees could translate into higher wages for those temporary workers and a challenging environment for employers looking to fill positions.

"People can expect to earn more," Gail Krumenauer, a senior economic analyst at the Oregon Employment Department, said over the phone Monday, "if nothing else because the minimum wage is higher than it was a year ago."

Holiday hires are generally in sectors that are paid close to minimum wage, she said.



"Then there's also this competition aspect that's happening," she said, noting that Amazon plans to raise its minimum wage to $15 an hour beginning Nov. 1.

As far as companies looking to hire, Krumenauer said, they consistently report that their biggest challenge is a lack of applicants. With what she calls "the lowest unemployment numbers in decades," that could continue to be a big problem for employers this season.



In the Portland area, many businesses need seasonal employees. If you're looking for a job to get some extra cash through the holidays, there is no shortage of opportunities. Here are 24 businesses hiring locally for the holidays.

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Adidas

The Adidas employee store is hiring

.

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Amazon

Amazon has many seasonal jobs listed for the holiday season.

start at $14.25.

for the many hiring events in the Portland area.

start at 13.75.

Amazon is also looking for

.

Starting Nov. 1, all Amazon employees will earn at least $15 an hour.

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Anthropologie

Anthropologie is hiring

.

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Athleta, Banana Republic, Gap and Old Navy

Seasonal employees for GAP, Inc. get 50 percent off at Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy and Athleta.

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Barnes & Noble College

Barnes & Noble College has openings for

.

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Big Lots

Big Lots needs

.

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C2F

C2F in Beaverton is paying $12 for

.

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The Columbia Employee Store

The Columbia Employee Store is looking for

for the holiday season.

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Delta Air Lines

If you're looking for a

, Delta is hiring.

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Dyson

Dyson is hiring

to be brand representatives in the Portland metro area.

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FedEx

FedEx expects to hire 800 positions at FedEx Ground in Portland for the holiday season. You can find more information at

.

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Iconic Group

A company that stages holiday photos at malls is looking to hire

for Pioneer Place and Washington Square.

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J-Crew

The Pioneer Place J. Crew store is looking for

.

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Kohl's

Kohl's is hiring

.

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Lush

If you want a 50 percent discount on Lush products, apply to be a

for one of their Portland stores.

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Macy's

Macy's is hiring a variety of positions for the holiday season -- from customer service associates to Macy's Starbucks baristas -- and is

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Maurices

Maurices

get a 40 percent discount at the store.

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Nike

The Nike Portland Community store is looking to fill

positions.

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Nordstrom

Nordstrom is looking for seasonal employees at the

.

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Paper Source

Paper Source is hiring

to do a variety of in-store jobs.

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Pink

Pink at Clackamas Town Center is hiring

to work flexibly throughout the store.

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Powell's Books

Powell's Books is hiring for the holidays, in the warehouse and the stores.

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Sock It to Me

for Portland sock company Sock It to Me start at $13.

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Target

Target is hiring seasonal team members. Currently,

.

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Are you hiring for the holidays? Send us an email with your job posting at

.