Overall unemployment rate moved up to 2.5% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which gained 200 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2022.
Total employment in the Portland-South Portland, ME market declined by 206 jobs in August and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 20 bps to 2.5%. The national unemployment rate stayed flat over the same time period at 3.8%.
- Portland-South Portland, ME unemployment rate is 129 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 130 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 8.2% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs stayed flat. Key sectors include:
- Education & Healthcare: 42,300; no change
- Transportation & Utilities: 39,100; +200
- Business Services: 34,400; no change
- Restaurants & Hotels: 30,200; +100
- Government: 21,100; -200
- Financial Services: 17,000; -100
- Manufacturing: 16,000; +100
- Construction, Mining: 11,500; +200
- Other Jobs: 8,000; -100
- IT & Development: 3,200; -100
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through August 2022 (Data published September 2022 and reports created on September 28, 2022). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.