Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Unemployment rate
1990–2024BLS state series.
Employment
Maine had about 692,000 employed workers in 2023, with steady job growth in healthcare and hospitality.
Total nonfarm payroll jobs
1990–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED MENA).
| Indicator | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Employment growth (%) | 1.1 | 1.7 |
- •Maine added more healthcare jobs than any other sector in 2023.
Unemployment
Maine's unemployment rate was 3.2% in 2023, below the national rate of 3.6%.
Unemployment rate
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average of seasonally adjusted months (FRED MEUR).
| Indicator | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate (%) | 3.2 | 3.6 |
- •Maine's unemployment rate has remained below the national average for several consecutive years.
Labor Force
Maine's labor force totaled about 715,000 people in 2023, with a labor force participation rate of 60.8%.
Civilian labor force
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average (FRED MELF).
| Indicator | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Labor force participation rate (%) | 60.8 | 62.6 |
- •Maine's labor force participation rate is below the national average due to its older population.
Occupations
Office and administrative support is Maine's largest occupational group, employing about 82,000 workers in 2023.
Workers in management, business, science and arts occupations
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, civilian employed 16+, C24010 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Office & admin support workers (thousands) | 82 | 18500 |
- •Fishing and forestry, iconic to Maine, employ far fewer workers than office and healthcare occupations.
Salaries
Maine's mean annual wage was about $56,780 in 2023, below the national mean wage of $65,470.
Average weekly earnings, private sector
2007–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED SMU23000000500000011).
Average hourly earnings, private sector
2007–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED SMU23000000500000003).
| Indicator | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Mean annual wage (thousands USD) | 56.8 | 65.5 |
- •Portland-area workers in Maine earn notably more than the statewide average wage.
Remote Work
About 19.6% of Maine workers worked primarily from home in 2023, above the national share of 13.8%.
Workers who work from home
2006–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, share of workers 16+, B08301 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Remote work share (%) | 19.6 | 13.8 |
- •Maine saw a surge of remote workers relocating from Massachusetts and New York during the pandemic.
Workforce Participation
Maine's workforce participation rate was 60.8% in 2023, ranking below the national average amid its aging population.
Labor force participation rate
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average (FRED LBSSA23).
| Indicator | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Workforce participation rate (%) | 60.8 | 62.6 |
- •Maine's high median age directly contributes to its below-average labor force participation rate.