MAINE — Recently, State Labor Commissioner Jeanne Paquette released May workforce estimates for Maine.

Seasonally Adjusted Statewide Data

Household Survey Estimates – The preliminary seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 4.7 percent for May was unchanged from April and down from 5.7 percent one year ago. The number of unemployed declined 7,800 over the year to 32,200.

The employment to population ratio estimate of 60.3 percent remained above the U.S. average (59.4 percent) for the 92nd consecutive month.

The U.S. preliminary unemployment rate of 5.5 percent was little changed from 5.4 percent in April and down from 6.3 percent one year ago. The New England unemployment rate averaged 4.9 percent. Rates for other states were 3.8 percent in New Hampshire, 3.6 percent in Vermont, 4.6 percent in Massachusetts, 5.9 percent in Rhode Island, and 6.0 percent in Connecticut.

Payroll Survey Estimates – The preliminary nonfarm payroll jobs estimate for May of 609,900 was up 5,000 from one year ago. The estimate for private sector jobs was up 5,500 and government was down 500. The largest job gains were in the professional and business services, finance, healthcare, and hospitality sectors.

Not Seasonally Adjusted Substate Data

The not seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate was 4.7 percent in May, down from 5.7 percent one year ago. Not seasonally adjusted rates were down in all 16 counties, with the largest declines in Franklin (-1.9 points) and Oxford (-1.6 points) counties. Rates ranged from 3.7 percent in Cumberland and Sagadahoc counties to 7.2 percent in Somerset County.

The unemployment rate was below the statewide average in all three metro areas: Portland-South Portland (3.8 percent), Lewiston-Auburn (4.4 percent), and Bangor (4.5 percent).

June workforce estimates will be released Tuesday, July 21 (Data Release Schedule).