May 2025 | Released June 24, 2025

Download the full PDF for Maine

Download the summary PDF for Maine

United States Employment Snapshot

• In May, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 13, rose in 14, and remained unchanged in 24.

• The highest unemployment rate was 5.9 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 1.8 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate remained unchanged in May.

• In May, payroll jobs rose in 37 states and fell in 11. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.4 percent in Montana. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.4 percent in Connecticut.

Maine Employment Snapshot

• In May, Maine lost 1,200 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point to 3.4 percent. In the prior month, Maine added 400 net payroll jobs.

• Over the past 12 months, Maine lost 300 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.5 percentage points from 2.9 percent.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 139,000 in May, or 0.1 percent. Maine ranks 48th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• In May, Maine’s private sector lost 800 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it lost 500 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Maine lost 200 net private payroll jobs.

• In May, employment in Maine fell by 61, and over the past 12 months it fell by 273.

• Maine’s labor force participation rate fell to 60 percent in May from 60.1 percent and ranks 39th in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has remained unchanged.

---

Maine Payroll Employment

• Maine lost 1,200 net payroll jobs, or -0.2 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during May. In the prior month, Maine added 400 jobs. Maine nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 5 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 139,000 in May, or 0.1 percent. Maine ranks 48th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• Maine lost 800 private sector jobs, or -0.1 percent. on a seasonally adjusted basis during May. In the prior month, Maine lost 200 jobs. Maine private sector payroll employment has increased in 5 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 140,000 jobs in May, or 0.1 percent. Maine ranks 50th in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• The best performing sectors on a seasonally adjusted basis during May were Professional and Business Services (400) and Financial Activities (200).

• The poorest performing sectors during the month were Government (-400) and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities tied with Leisure and Hospitality (-500).

• The best performing sectors during the last 12 months were Leisure and Hospitality (900) and Education and Health Services (500).

• The poorest performing sectors during the last 12 months were Manufacturing (-700) and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-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 60 percent in May from 60.1 percent in the prior month.

• Maine ranks 39th in the nation.

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

• The national labor force participation rate fell by 0.2 percentage points to 62.4 percent in May.