Maine Unemployment Rate Rises to 5.1 Percent in December

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January 18, 2008 -- Augusta - Maine State Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman announced that the preliminary seasonally-adjusted December unemployment rate for Maine was 5.1 percent. The national unemployment rate for December was 5.0 percent.

“Reflecting national trends, seasonally-adjusted resident employment declined and unemployment rose in Maine between November and December,” said Commissioner Fortman. “Nationally, the rate rose from 4.7 percent to 5.0 percent, while in Maine the rate increased from 4.9 percent to 5.1 percent.”

The number of seasonally-adjusted nonfarm wage and salary jobs, one component of total resident employment, increased by 1,000 between November and December. This gain was primarily the result of an increase of 700 in the accommodation and food services industry. It is likely that increased demand for these services was driven in large part by the best conditions in years for winter sports enthusiasts.

Between December 2006 and December 2007, the total number of seasonally-adjusted nonfarm wage and salary jobs increased by 4,400. Over-the-year, the largest job gains were recorded in health care and social assistance; trade, transportation, and utilities; professional and business services; other services; and leisure and hospitality services. Job losses were registered in manufacturing, construction, and financial activities.

Other New England states reporting a seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for December include New Hampshire, 3.6 percent; Massachusetts, 4.5 percent; and Connecticut, 5.0 percent. The adjusted national rate for December was 5.0 percent, up from 4.7 percent for November and 4.4 percent for December 2006.

The not-seasonally-adjusted Maine unemployment rate for December was 5.0 percent, up from 4.8 percent for November and 4.5 percent for December 2006. The unadjusted national rate was 4.8 percent for December, up from 4.5 percent for November and 4.3 percent for December 2006. Not-seasonally-adjusted December unemployment rates for Maine counties ranged from 3.5 percent for Cumberland County to 8.1 percent for Piscataquis County.

Not-seasonally-adjusted nonfarm wage and salary jobs in Maine declined by 700 between November and October. Seasonal job losses were recorded by construction and accommodation and food services. Partially offsetting those losses, retail trade establishments geared up for the holidays.

Source: Maine State Labor Commissioner