Maine Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Maine rose 0.1 percentage points in December 2019 to 2.9%. The state unemployment rate was 0.6 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 5.4 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 2.8% in October 2019, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.1 percentage points. You can also see Maine unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	December 2019	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.5%	0.0	-0.4
Maine	2.9%	+0.1	-0.6

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 37,737 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 19,446 in November 2019, the number of unemployed has now grown by 300. Maine job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	December 2019	Month/Month	Year/Year
Maine	19,746	+300	-4,681

Number of Unemployed Persons

Maine Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Maine Unemployment Rate	Maine Unemployed
January 2020	3.6%	—	—
December 2019	3.5%	2.9%	19,746
November 2019	3.5%	2.8%	19,446
October 2019	3.6%	2.8%	19,526
September 2019	3.5%	2.9%	19,697
August 2019	3.7%	2.9%	20,114
July 2019	3.7%	3.0%	20,923
June 2019	3.7%	3.2%	22,041
May 2019	3.6%	3.3%	22,759
April 2019	3.6%	3.3%	23,094
March 2019	3.8%	3.4%	23,563
February 2019	3.8%	3.5%	24,106