Maine Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Maine fell 0.0 percentage points in December 2018 to 3.4%. The state unemployment rate was 0.5 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Maine peaked in June 2009 at 8.3% and is now 4.9 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 2.7% in March 2018, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.7 percentage points. You can also see Maine unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	December 2018	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.9%	+0.2	-0.2
Maine	3.4%	0.0	+0.3

Note: All comparisons are made with December data as January state level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Maine, National

Note: Recessions shown in gray

Maine Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Maine peaked in June 2009 at 57,483. There are now 33,466 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 19,162 in April 2018, the number of unemployed has now grown by 4,855. Maine job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	December 2018	Month/Month	Year/Year
Maine	24,017	+58	+1,969

Number of Unemployed Persons

Maine Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Maine Unemployment Rate	Maine Unemployed
January 2019	4.0%	—	—
December 2018	3.9%	3.4%	24,017
November 2018	3.7%	3.4%	23,959
October 2018	3.8%	3.4%	23,831
September 2018	3.7%	3.3%	23,189
August 2018	3.8%	3.2%	22,434
July 2018	3.9%	3.0%	21,496
June 2018	4.0%	2.9%	20,390
May 2018	3.8%	2.8%	19,551
April 2018	3.9%	2.7%	19,162
March 2018	4.0%	2.7%	19,187
February 2018	4.1%	2.9%	20,009