July 2026 | Released August 21, 2026
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United States
Employment snapshot
In July, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 29, rose in 4, and remained unchanged in 18.
The highest unemployment rate was 5.9 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 4.1 percent.
In July, payroll jobs rose in 27 states and fell in 24. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.4 percent in Maryland. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.6 percent in New Jersey.
Maine
Employment snapshot
In July, Maine added 400 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.1 percent. In the prior month, Maine lost 200 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, Maine lost 900 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.2 percentage points from 3.3 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls fell by 23,000 in July, or 0 percent. Maine is tied for 39th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In July, Maine’s private sector added 300 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it lost 800 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Maine added 100 net private payroll jobs.
In July, employment in Maine fell by 2,303, and over the past 12 months it fell by 6,925.
Maine’s labor force participation rate fell to 58.8 percent in July from 59 percent and is tied for 41st in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has fallen by 1 percentage point.
Maine
Payroll employment
Maine added 400 net payroll jobs, or 0.1 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during July. In the prior month, Maine lost 200 jobs. Maine nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 6 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls fell by 23,000 in July, or 0 percent. Maine is tied for 39th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
Maine added 300 private sector jobs, or 0.1 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during July. In the prior month, Maine added 100 jobs. Maine private sector payroll employment has increased in 6 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 30,000 jobs in July, 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 June 2026 to July 2026:
- The best performing sectors were Leisure and Hospitality (+800) and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+200).
- The worst performing sectors were Manufacturing (-300) and Financial Activities (-200).
From July 2025 to July 2026:
- The best performing sectors were Leisure and Hospitality (+1,200) and Private Education and Health Services (+800).
- The worst performing sectors were Professional and Business Services (-1,100) and Construction (-900).
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 58.8 percent in July from 59 percent in the prior month.
Maine is tied for 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 0.1 percentage points to 61.4 percent in July.