Oregon's unemployment rate edged up from 8 percent in April to 8.2 percent in May, the highest rate since 8.4 percent in January 2002.

In May of last year, Oregon's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 7.4 percent. Oregon started out 2003 with a seasonally adjusted rate of 7.6 percent in January.

Oregon's unemployment rate continues to be above the national unemployment rate, according to the Oregon Employment Department.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the United States was 6.1 percent in May, the highest U.S. rates since July 1994.