The state’s unemployment rate continues to drop as reflected in March’s 3.4 percent jobless rate.

The Maine Department of Labor released preliminary figures Friday that show March’s rate is slightly lower than February’s 3.6 percent rate and significantly below the 4.6 percent rate of March 2015.

The U.S. preliminary unemployment rate of 5.0 percent was little changed from February and down from 5.5 percent one year ago.

The New England unemployment rate averaged 4.5 percent. Rates for other states were 2.6 percent in New Hampshire, 3.3 percent in Vermont, 4.4 percent in Massachusetts, 5.4 percent in Rhode Island and 5.7 percent in Connecticut.

The not seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate estimate of 4.2 percent for March was down from 5.4 percent one year ago. The metro area unemployment rate was below the statewide average in the Portland-South Portland (3.1 percent) and Lewiston-Auburn (3.8 percent), and close to the average in Bangor (4.1 percent).


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.