Lighthouses perched on the edge of a rocky shoreline, lobster pots bobbing in the water, and miles of pine covered forests will tempt any nature lover to seek Maine employment. This sparsely populated state far in the Northeast corner of the U.S. appeals to those looking for stunning natural beauty and a place to escape from the busy cities of New England. The rugged coastline and abundant seafood brings in the tourist trade and the numerous interior lakes and wilderness lands offer endless places to explore. Remote yet easily accessible from New Hampshire and Massachusetts, living and working in Maine provides an attractive option.
Maine unemployment
Maine unemployment rate (seasonally adjusted) increased from October 2008 to October 2009 by 2.5% to a rate of 8.2%
[Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics]
Maine Employment Opportunities
A diverse selection of Maine employment opportunities may be found throughout the state. Several mid-sized cities offer traditional jobs in retail, administration, construction and finance. Jobs along the coast include shipbuilding, fishing and tourism while interior regions supply logging, agriculture and farm related work.
Jobs near the Ocean: The maritime industries comprise much of the employment scene in the towns along the Atlantic coastline. In the city of Portland (approximate population of 65,000), hundreds of commercial and pleasure boats add to the state’s economy and the port supports the largest shipbuilding operations in the country. Fishing and seafood production also provide substantial Maine employment. The quaint resort towns along the coast including Kennebunkport, Camden and Rockland offer many opportunities in hotel or restaurant management, hospitality services and tourist related employment. Many of these positions increase during the summer months when the tourist season peaks.
Jobs in the Cities and Suburbs: Portland, the largest city in Maine, offers job opportunities in all sectors including financial, retail, health care and education. The retail clothing and outdoor sports equipment company, L.L. Bean, maintains corporate headquarters, a manufacturing plant and a large supply store in town. Augusta (approximate population of 18,500), is the state capital where government related workers, legal assistants, administrators and security personnel may find open positions.
Health care workers, educators and shop or franchise owners often have success finding jobs in this location. In the Lewiston/Auburn area, the second largest district in Maine with a population near 32,000, the University of Southern Maine provides employment opportunities for teachers, clerical workers and food service personnel. A large medical center resides here and provides health care employment. Another major city in the state, Bangor (approximate population of 31,500), holds an international airport and supports several military facilities. The University of Maine campus in the small town of Orono offers additional employment opportunities in the Bangor area.
Jobs in Logging and Agriculture: A large portion of Maine’s interior landscape remains fully forested and the logging industry plays a major role in the local economy. Skilled labor, construction and seasonal farming positions may also be found for temporary work.
Unemployment Statistics: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for July, 2009 reached 8.4%, a slight increase from the previous year. Because the overall population in Maine is much less than other states in the U.S., unemployment rates tend to be somewhat lower than the national average of 9.5 %. Unfortunately, locating Maine employment may be more difficult because of the limited number of opportunities and small metropolitan areas.
Maine Employment Resources
The website, www.jobsinmaine.com, includes some of the best search features for locating Maine employment information. A job search may be performed by either selecting a specific town in Maine, a job category or both. For someone wanting to live and work in Kennebunk, for example, all available positions in that town will appear. Another job candidate looking for a nursing position in any region of Maine may choose that option. The search is quick and thorough and applicants may apply online, however, some listings may be expired or filled. This is a good method for locating potential employers even if the specific job is no longer available. Another thorough source of Maine employment may be accessed through the site www.maincareercenter.com.
In addition to locating specific positions throughout the state, the information presented at this website includes career planning, general job hunting tips, up to date local employment news and details about where to find additional career assistance. Another Internet source may be accessed through www.mainjobfair.com where listings of employment agencies include both temporary and permanent recruitment. This website provides a convenient method for tracking open positions particularly within specific areas of interest such as medical, legal, military and clerical work assignments.
Maine Living Conditions
In most regions of the state, moderately priced housing is available for families and all income levels. Escalated prices typically dictate the real estate market in the tourist oriented towns along the coast. The rugged beauty of the North Atlantic creates an ideal location for summer ocean sports activities, boating and seasonal fishing. The lucrative lobster trade is largely controlled by commercial fishermen but tours out of Portland offer a chance for the novice to pull in a catch.
Winter months in the state, particularly the interior regions, are long and cold. The summer months along the shore bring delightful pleasant weather and draw many tourists, the primary reason for a spike in seasonal Maine employment. Personal income tax is collected in Maine and the 5% sales tax is much lower than many other regions of the U.S.
Maine Employment
Known as the “Pine Tree State”, Maine’s miles of pristine wilderness and largely undeveloped landscape surpasses other regions of the U.S. for natural beauty. Hundreds of tourists visit the area each year to enjoy the interior forests and fresh water lakes and to drive along the dramatic rocky coastline. In just under 3 hours, a newly renovated train known as the “DownEaster” takes passengers from Portland to Boston. Residents of Maine who are fortunate to enjoy lucrative careers have the best of both worlds – a serene place to live and a stable source of income. Finding Maine employment may take a little longer than in other parts of the country but the effort will result in a quality lifestyle.
