June 2026 | Released July 21, 2026

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United States

Employment snapshot

• In June, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 30, rose in 7, and remained unchanged in 14.

• The highest unemployment rate was 6 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 2 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point to 4.2 percent.

• In June, payroll jobs rose in 34 states and fell in 17. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.6 percent in Alaska and New Hampshire. The largest payroll job percent decline was 1.2 percent in West Virginia.

Maine

Employment snapshot

• In June, Maine lost 200 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.1 percent. In the prior month, Maine lost 1,000 net payroll jobs.

• Over the past 12 months, Maine lost 700 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.2 percentage points from 3.3 percent.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 57,000 in June, or 0 percent. Maine is tied for 39th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• In June, Maine’s private sector lost 600 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it lost 900 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Maine lost 1,300 net private payroll jobs.

• In June, employment in Maine fell by 1,991, and over the past 12 months it fell by 4,533.

• Maine’s labor force participation rate fell to 59 percent in June from 59.2 percent and ranks 41st in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has fallen by 0.8 percentage points.

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Maine

Payroll employment

• Maine lost 200 net payroll jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during June. In the prior month, Maine lost 1,000 jobs. Maine nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 6 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 57,000 in June, or 0 percent. Maine is tied for 39th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• Maine lost 600 private sector jobs, or -0.1 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during June. In the prior month, Maine lost 1,300 jobs. Maine private sector payroll employment has increased in 5 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 49,000 jobs in June, or 0 percent. Maine is tied for 40th in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.

From May 2026 to June 2026:

• The best performing sectors were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+300) and State and Local Government (+300).
• The worst performing sectors were Leisure and Hospitality (-400) and Professional and Business Services (-400).

From June 2025 to June 2026:

• The best performing sectors were Private Education and Health Services (+600) and State and Local Government (+500).
• The worst performing sectors were Professional and Business Services (-1,400) and Construction (-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 59 percent in June from 59.2 percent in the prior month.

• Maine ranks 41st 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 fell by 0.3 percentage points to 61.5 percent in June.