Employment rose in Maine’s two large counties, Cumberland and York, from June 2022 to June 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. (Large counties are those with annual average employment levels of 75,000 or more in 2022.) Regional Commissioner William J. Sibley noted that Cumberland County’s employment gain ranked 188^th among the 360 large U.S. counties. (See table 1.)

National employment increased 2.4 percent over the year, with 337 of the 360 largest U.S. counties reporting gains. Midland, TX, had the largest increase in employment (+7.0 percent). Elkhart, IN, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment (-7.7 percent).

Employment in Cumberland County was 191,000 in June 2023; York County reported 81,300 employed. Within Cumberland County’s private industry, health care and social assistance accounted for the largest employment share. Together, the two largest Maine counties accounted for 41.6 percent of total employment within the state. Nationwide, the 360 largest counties made up 72.9 percent of total U.S. employment.

Employment and wage levels (but not over-the-year changes) are also available for the 14 counties in Maine with employment below 75,000. Wage levels in all of these smaller counties were below the national average of $1,332 in the second quarter of 2023. (See table 2.)

The two large Maine counties reported average weekly wage gains from the second quarter of 2022 to the second quarter of 2023. The 3.0-percent wage increase in Cumberland County ranked 157^th among the 360 largest U.S. counties. York County’s 2.8-percent wage increase ranked 179^th.

Nationwide, wages increased by 3.2 percent over the year. Among the 360 largest counties in the United States, 332 had over-the-year wage increases. Clayton, GA, had the largest percentage wage increase (+17.2 percent). Elkhart, IN, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease (-13.2 percent).

Cumberland County’s average weekly wage of $1,272 was below the national average of $1,332 and ranked 124^th among the 360 large U.S. counties in the second quarter of 2023. York County’s average weekly wage of $1,091 ranked 261^st.

Among the largest U.S. counties, 88 reported average weekly wages above the U.S. average in the second quarter of 2023. Santa Clara, CA, had the highest average weekly wage ($3,321). Average weekly wages were below the national average in the remaining 272 counties. Hidalgo, TX, had the lowest average weekly wage ($795).

Among the 14 smaller counties in Maine—those with employment below 75,000—Sagadahoc County ($1,123) reported the highest average weekly wage. Piscataquis County ($883) and Washington County ($884) reported the lowest average weekly wages in the state.

When all 16 counties in Maine were considered, all had weekly wages lower than the national average of $1,332. Two had wages of $899 or lower, five had wages from $900 to $949, three had wages from $950 to $999, three had wages from $1,000 to $1,049, and three had wages of $1,050 or higher. (See map 1.) The highest-paid counties were located in the southwest portion of the state within the Portland-South Portland metropolitan area.

QCEW data for states have been included in this release in table 3. For additional information about quarterly employment and wages data, please read the Technical Note for the County Employment and Wages News Release or visit the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages website.

Employment and Wages Annual Averages Online features comprehensive information by detailed industry on establishments, employment, and wages for the nation and all states. This publication is typically published in September of the following year of the reference period or shortly after the QCEW first quarter full data update.

The County Employment and Wages release for the third quarter 2023 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, February 21, 2024. The County Employment and Wages full data update for the third quarter 2023 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, March 6, 2024.