Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.9% with the biggest shift in Education & Healthcare, which gained 1,200 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2021.
Total employment in the Portland-South Portland, ME market rose by 889 jobs in August and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 60 bps to 3.9%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 38 bps over the same time to 5.3%.
- Portland-South Portland, ME unemployment rate is 139 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 50 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in August versus prior month by 4.1% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.9% . Key sectors include:
- Education & Healthcare: 43,200; +1,200
- Transportation & Utilities: 38,000; +900
- Business Services: 31,000; -200
- Restaurants & Hotels: 28,500; +600
- Government: 20,100; -400
- Financial Services: 16,800; -200
- Manufacturing: 15,200; +200
- Construction, Mining: 10,800; -100
- Other Jobs: 7,900; -100
- IT & Development: 3,000; no change
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through August 2021 (Data published September 2021 and reports created on September 29, 2021). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.