Maine employers say they need workers, so why is it hard to find a good job?
Maine Survey Shows Wide Economic Divide, Rising Costs Hit Workers and Small Businesses
A statewide poll of 824 Mainers reveals a population grappling with a stubborn job market, soaring material costs, and stark regional disparities. The findings, released by the Maine Trust for Local News, paint a picture of both persistent challenges and pockets of resilience.
What the Numbers Say
The Siena Research Institute conducted the 62‑question survey in July for the Maine Trust for Local News. Respondents overwhelmingly expressed doubt about their ability to secure suitable work and earn a living wage. Fifty‑one percent rated their chances of finding appropriate employment as “only fair” or “poor,” while 41 percent said making a living wage was “not very likely” or “not at all likely.”
Opportunities for advancement appear more elusive. Only 32 percent of participants said it was “almost certain” or “very likely” that they could move up in a current or future role. Nearly a third—27 percent—described advancement as “not very likely” or “not at all likely,” and another 39 percent called it a toss‑up.
When asked about the overall business climate, the sentiment split almost evenly: 46 percent viewed it positively, while 52 percent called it “only fair” or “poor.” The regional breakdown deepens the contrast. In the Southern and Coastal counties (Cumberland and York), 57 percent said Maine is a good place for businesses to succeed, yet the same question drew 58 to 60 percent negative responses elsewhere in the state.
Housing affordability emerged as a top concern, with 85 percent of respondents labeling it a problem. At the same time, 75 percent acknowledged strong access to affordable adult education and job‑training programs, which have been expanded through community colleges, construction trade initiatives, defense contractors, and the Small Business Administration.
Regional Gaps Under Review
Amanda Rector, Maine’s state economist, highlighted the puzzling optimism gap. “I was surprised that only 32 percent of respondents were positive about job advancement,” she said, noting that Maine faces a worker shortage and an aging population that will accelerate retirements. “Near‑term uncertainties—rising costs, potential AI displacement, and businesses scaling back hiring—are likely weighing heavily on peoples’ minds.”
Rector also pointed out that Southern and Coastal residents were more likely to see a healthy job market (51 percent) and better advancement prospects (38 percent) than those in other parts of the state, where the numbers drop sharply.
Business Realities on the Ground
Sheila Richardson, a Turner resident who has been hanging wallpaper for more than three decades, said the current economic climate has forced her to tighten her budget. She learned the trade from her grandmother and father, grew the business through word‑of‑mouth, and now, at 78, still climbs ladders despite health setbacks. “I’m up and down the ladder a hundred times a day,” she said. “I’m a doer. I don’t depend on anybody else.”
Rising prices for materials and fuel have eaten into her margins. “The price of everything has gone up and you have to charge customers what it costs,” she noted. “You really have to pinch pennies when you don’t have money coming in.”
Across the state, manufacturers echo similar concerns. Alex Thibodeau runs Kenway Composites in Augusta, a firm that employs 50 people to produce fiber‑reinforced plastic tanks for heavy industry and the military. He praised technical training programs, noting that seven recent hires came from the Foster Career and Technical Education Center’s composites program. “Technical training is one of the only salvations for manufacturers who need workers,” he said. “They’re so underrated and deserve more funding.”
Despite offering wages from $23 to $35 an hour, bonuses, and benefits, Thibodeau said he has been forced to turn away roughly $2 million in contracts because reliable labor is scarce. “We as taxpayers end up paying for that,” he added, citing tariffs that ballooned a single part’s cost from $80,000 to $130,000. “One of Maine’s greatest struggles is our location. Most of the truck traffic is outbound, so you have to pay for the trip in. We are disadvantaged in a lot of ways already.”
Hospitality Sees Both Gains and Pressures
Nathan Gurtman, a chef at the York Harbor Inn with three decades in local kitchens, described a strong summer for the hospitality sector. “It was a good season. We were booked up with plenty of events and functions and our daily business was good,” he said. Yet the boost has been tempered by escalating food and delivery costs, higher fuel prices, and increased insurance premiums. “We make everything from scratch. We’ve definitely seen price fluctuations because fuel is more expensive, insurance is more expensive, everything related to doing business is more expensive,” Gurtman explained. He remains committed to the state, noting that the seasonal influx of visitors helps sustain the local economy.
A Young Worker’s Frustration
Zack Gauley, a 28‑year‑old who moved to western Maine from California, has struggled to find steady employment. After losing his seasonal job at Black Mountain Ski Resort and finding all fishing crews already staffed, Gauley said he has applied for positions at gas stations, grocery stores, and fast‑food restaurants without success. He hopes to land a manufacturing job that offers training and higher pay. “I’m dismayed with a lot of things, but I just have to apply myself a little more,” he said. “I just hope I can get a job as soon as possible, and then I can get a better job and build a life for me and my girlfriend.”
The Chamber’s Take
Patrick Woodcock, president and CEO of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, called the regional disparity “pretty stark.” While Southern and Coastal respondents expressed relatively more confidence in Maine’s business climate, the rest of the state leaned heavily negative. “Some pessimism has taken root. There are distinct challenges between the regions, and we have to recognize and respect those differences,” he said. Housing affordability, he added, is a workforce issue that cannot be ignored. “Our members have identified affordable housing as a workforce issue. We cannot attract workers, foster economic growth and have a robust business climate without addressing affordable housing.”
Woodcock did note a few bright spots. State sales‑tax reports show lodging receipts up 12.8 percent in July compared with the previous year, and restaurant sales rising 6.8 percent, suggesting a robust tourism season that is helping some sectors.
Looking Ahead
The survey, coupled with on‑the‑ground accounts from business owners and workers, paints a picture of a state at a crossroads. While Maine’s training initiatives and tourism demand offer optimism, rising costs, labor shortages, and regional inequities pose serious obstacles. Policymakers, business leaders, and community organizations are increasingly urged to address housing, workforce development, and the logistical challenges that make operating a business in Maine more expensive than in many other states.
For now, residents like Sheila Richardson continue to climb those ladders, each day weighing the costs against the need to provide for their families and keep their enterprises alive.
