Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.5% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 3,500 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2021.

Total employment in the Portland-South Portland, ME market rose by 5,066 jobs in July and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 4.5%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 43 bps over the same time to 5.7%.

  • Portland-South Portland, ME unemployment rate is 116 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 430 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in July versus prior month by 4.3% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Portland-South Portland, ME Unemployment July 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.3% . Key sectors include:

  • Education & Healthcare: 42,000; -300
  • Transportation & Utilities: 37,400; +100
  • Business Services: 31,400; +700
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 27,600; +3,500
  • Government: 20,500; -1,800
  • Financial Services: 17,000; -100
  • Manufacturing: 15,000; +100
  • Construction, Mining: 10,800; +100
  • Other Jobs: 8,100; +500
  • IT & Development: 3,000; no change
Portland-South Portland, ME Unemployment by Industry July 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through July 2021 (Data published September 2021 and reports created on September 1, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.