August 2026

Released September 18, 2026

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United States

Employment snapshot

• In August, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 28, rose in 4, and remained unchanged in 19.

• The highest unemployment rate was 5.7 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 2 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate remained unchanged in August.

• In August, payroll jobs rose in 35 states and fell in 16. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.6 percent in New Mexico. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.3 percent in Maryland.

Maine

Employment snapshot

• In August, Maine added 200 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point to 3.2 percent. In the prior month, Maine lost 400 net payroll jobs.

• Over the past 12 months, Maine lost 600 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point from 3.3 percent.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 162,000 in August, or 0.1 percent. Maine is tied for 40th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• In August, Maine’s private sector added 200 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it lost 100 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Maine remained unchanged with 0 net private payroll jobs.

• In August, employment in Maine fell by 2,764, and over the past 12 months it fell by 10,065.

• Maine’s labor force participation rate fell to 58.6 percent in August from 58.8 percent and ranks 42nd in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has fallen by 1.2 percentage points.

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Maine

Payroll employment

• Maine added 200 net payroll jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during August. In the prior month, Maine lost 400 jobs. Maine nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 6 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 162,000 in August, or 0.1 percent. Maine is tied for 40th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• Maine added 200 private sector jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during August. In the prior month, Maine remained unchanged with 0 jobs. Maine private sector payroll employment has increased in 6 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 127,000 jobs in August, or 0.1 percent. Maine is tied for 39th in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.

From July 2026 to August 2026:

• The best performing sectors were Professional and Business Services (+300) and Construction (+300).
• The worst performing sectors were Leisure and Hospitality (-500) and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-300).

From August 2025 to August 2026:

• The best performing sectors were Private Education and Health Services (+800) and Financial Activities (+500).
• The worst performing sectors were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-700) and Professional and Business Services (-500).

Maine

Labor force

The labor force participation rate is the percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population age 16 and older who are employed or actively looking for work.

• The labor force participation rate in Maine fell to 58.6 percent in August from 58.8 percent in the prior month.

• Maine ranks 42nd in the nation.

• The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in Maine was 63.7 percent occurring in February 2017, and the 10-year low was 58.2 percent occurring in April 2020.

• The national labor force participation rate rose by 0.2 percentage points to 61.6 percent in August.