If you’re wondering if you should stay in Maine or if the money is greener on the other side, we just ranked very high for US for jobs while stacked up next to the rest of the country. This coming from Wallethub’s recent 2024 Best States for Jobs report. 

Let’s dive in a bit and see where these numbers came from. According to Maine.gov, Maine’s current unemployment rate is 2.8%. With the national unemployment rate being at 4.1%, we are clearly holding strong with some of the best job opportunities in the country. 

WalletHub’s report states that Maine is ranked 6th in job opportunities, 4th in employment growth, and at the very top for low unemployment—making it easier for you to find work and keep it. Not to mention, it’s always nice when you can go to work everyday and not constantly ask yourself, “Why am I doing this?” That said, they said job satisfaction is ranked 4th, as it’s not just about having a job, but actually liking it too.

For those looking to build a life and maybe start a family, Maine proves to offer a great balance. You likely won’t be clocking crazy hours (ranked 12th for reasonable work weeks), and the average commute time is pretty manageable at 22nd overall. If you live here, it can be easy to get frustrated with morning traffic, but let’s try to keep in mind, it’s quite minimal compared to the bigger cities. 

We’re styling up here in our little corner of the country proving that we are more than just lobster rolls and stunning coastlines—it’s a pretty solid choice for building a career that’s got staying power.

Curious about who came in at #1? I guess a shoutout is in order for our neighbors next door in New Hampshire. Wallethub states they have an impressive 2% unemployment rate—one of the lowest in the country—plus the third-most job opportunities per capita. On top of that, like Maine, the state’s job security ranks quite high as well at 7th in the U.S.