Unemployment in Maine has remained relatively consistent in recent months, holding steady at 3.2 percent in March. This is down from 3.8 percent at this same time last year.

Compared to the rest of the country, Maine is faring about a percentage point better, with nationwide unemployment coming in at 4.3 last month.

Similarly, unemployment in New England averaged at 4.4 percent in March.

Compared to a year ago, unemployment is down in all Maine counties by a figure of anywhere from 0.1 percent to 1 percent.

Labor force participation rates continued to trend downward in Maine, falling to 59.5 percent, slightly below the national average of 61.8 percent.

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Mainers on average worked 33.3 hours per week in March with an hourly wage of $33.63, up 3.9 percent over this same time last year.

Construction and manufacturing employees were tied for the longest average work week at 37.5 hours, while leisure and hospitality jobs saw the shortest average work weeks.

This industry was also the lowest paid, at an hourly rate of $24.60. This, however, does represent a 4.5 percent year-over-year increase.

Professional and business service workers were the most highly paid per hour at a rate of $39.35, an increase of 5.7 percent over last year.

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