December 2024 | Released January 28, 2025

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United States Employment Snapshot

• In December, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 7, rose in 25, and remained unchanged in 19.

• The highest unemployment rate was 5.7 percent in Nevada, and the lowest was 1.9 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point to 4.1 percent.

• In December, payroll jobs rose in 43 states and fell in 7. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.4 percent in Missouri. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.2 percent in Vermont.

Maine Employment Snapshot

• In December, Maine added 200 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point to 3.2 percent. In the prior month, Maine lost 2,200 net payroll jobs.

• Over the past 12 months, Maine added 2,000 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.2 percentage points from 3.4 percent.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 256,000 in December, or 0.2 percent. Maine ranks 49th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• In December, Maine’s private sector remained unchanged with 0 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it lost 500 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Maine lost 2,500 net private payroll jobs.

• In December, employment in Maine fell by 383, and over the past 12 months it rose by 16,005.

• Maine’s labor force participation rate rose to 60.2 percent in December from 60.1 percent and ranks 38th in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has risen by 0.9 percentage points.

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Maine Payroll Employment

• Maine added 200 net payroll jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during December. In the prior month, Maine lost 2,200 jobs. Maine nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 8 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 256,000 in December, or 0.2 percent. Maine ranks 49th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• Maine remained unchanged with 0 private sector jobs, or 0 percent. on a seasonally adjusted basis during December. In the prior month, Maine lost 2,500 jobs. Maine private sector payroll employment has increased in 6 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 223,000 jobs in December, or 0.2 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 December were Professional and Business Services (800) and Government (200).

• The poorest performing sectors during the month were Leisure and Hospitality (-300) and Financial Activities (-400).

• The best performing sectors during the last 12 months were Government (2,500) and Education and Health Services (1,800).

• The poorest performing sectors during the last 12 months were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-900) and Professional and Business Services (-1,500).

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 rose to 60.2 percent in December from 60.1 percent in the prior month.

• Maine ranks 38th in the nation.

• The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in Maine was 63.8 percent occurring in July 2017, and the 10-year low was 58.1 percent in August 2020.

• The national labor force participation rate remained steady at 62.5 percent in December.