Overall unemployment rate moved up to 2.3% with the biggest shift in Education & Healthcare, which gained 1,000 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2023.
Total employment in the Portland-South Portland, ME market rose by 75 jobs in February and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 2.3%. The national unemployment rate increased by 3 bps over the same time to 3.9%.
- Portland-South Portland, ME unemployment rate is 159 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 100 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in February versus prior month by 4.7% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.1% . Key sectors include:
- Education & Healthcare: 44,600; +1,000
- Transportation & Utilities: 37,400; -500
- Business Services: 31,100; -400
- Government: 23,600; +400
- Restaurants & Hotels: 17,200; no change
- Financial Services: 16,500; -100
- Manufacturing: 15,600; no change
- Construction, Mining: 10,500; -200
- Other Jobs: 7,600; no change
- IT & Development: 3,300; no change
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through February 2023 (Data published April 2023 and reports created on April 10, 2023). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.