Overall unemployment rate moved up to 3.8% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which lost 3,300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in December 2021.
Total employment in the Portland-South Portland, ME market declined by 2,671 jobs in November and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 20 bps to 3.8%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 37 bps over the same time to 3.9%.
- Portland-South Portland, ME unemployment rate is 9 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 60 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in November versus prior month by 5.1% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -1.3%. Key sectors include:
- Education & Healthcare: 42,700; -300
- Transportation & Utilities: 38,400; +700
- Business Services: 31,100; +200
- Government: 23,400; +200
- Restaurants & Hotels: 16,700; -3,300
- Financial Services: 16,600; no change
- Manufacturing: 15,100; -200
- Construction, Mining: 10,500; -100
- Other Jobs: 7,700; no change
- IT & Development: 3,000; no change
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through November 2021 (Data published December 2021 and reports created on January 6, 2021). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.