Maine Unemployment Rate generally unchanged

FROM the BLS:

Regional and state unemployment rates were generally little changed in August. Twenty-four states and the District of Columbia had unemployment rate increases from July, 15 states had decreases, and 11 states had no change . . .

In Maine, the UER ticked up 0.1 percentage points to 5.6% from last month, but more importantly is down 1.1% from a year ago, and down from a recession high of 8.4% in 2009.  The month-over-month and year-over-year trends parallel regional changes.

In New England, the UER ticked up to 5.9%, up 0.1 percentage points from last month, and down 1.3 percentage points from a year ago.  The northeast (New England and the Middle Atlantic region) saw the UER tick up 0.1 percentage points to 6.2% from July, down 1.4 percentage points from last July.

Seasonally adjusted nonfarm payrolls increased 1,400 from a month ago, and are up 8,100 from a year ago.  The year-over-year payroll changes by industry saw government continue to shed jobs, while the majority of new jobs were in leisure and hospitality:

  • Construction:  1,800
  • Manufacturing:  100
  • Trade/Trans./Util.:  1,000
  • Financial Activities:  900
  • Pro./Bus. Services:  1,600
  • Education/Health Svcs:  1,400
  • Leisure/Hospitality:  2,800
  • Government:  -1,300

The number of unemployed persons declined 7,400 from a year ago, an edged up 1,100 from July.

[UPDATE] Here are changes in employment for those industries noted above since the onset of the recession in December, 2007:

*The data is subject to subsequent revisions, and monthly data is volatile and should be taken with a grain of salt.  But let the political spin machines commence.”

John Haskell

About John Haskell

John graduated from the University of Southern Maine with a degree in Political Science, and from the University of Maine School of Law. He has worked in both the public and private sectors, and currently, works with a small business services company in the Mid-Coast area.