| Like
everywhere else in the eastern U.S., the Lincoln County labor market
is tight. But, the low unemployment rate masks two facts: there is
considerable underemployment in Maine and Midcoast Maine has a high
percentage of seasonal jobs. The result is that there is a larger
potential employee pool than labor statistics reveal. The Lincoln County population is educated, with a higher percentage of college and graduate school degree holders than Maine’s average. Most sectors of the Lincoln County economy pay a living wage, though weekly wage averages here tend to be below Maine’s average. The goal is to have a living wage paid for all jobs. In Lincoln County, a living wage ranges from $8.82 per hour for a single person to $15.70 per hour for a one wage earner couple with two children. Because of Lincoln County’s proximity to other labor markets (Rockland, Augusta, Bath-Brunswick, Portland), more than twice as many Lincoln County residents work beyond their county’s border than the Maine average. The 1990 Commuting Time table depicts a pool of 12,000 workers in other labor markets, who based on commuting time, may be available to Lincoln County employers. Given the preference for shorter commutes, employers have the opportunity to exploit these demographics. |
Bigelow
Labs, Boothbay Harbor |
|
Industry |
Employers |
Total Employed |
Avg Weekly Wage |
Avg Hourly Wage |
State Avg Weekly Wage |
State Avg Hourly Wage |
|
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing |
63 |
138 |
$326 |
$8.15 |
$377 |
$9.43 |
|
Mining and Construction |
171 |
513 |
$429 |
$10.75 |
$549 |
$13.73 |
|
Manufacturing |
92 |
974 |
$497 |
$12.43 |
$639 |
$15.98 |
|
Transportation and Public Utilities |
61 |
426 |
$977 |
$24.43 |
$612 |
$15.30 |
|
Wholesale Trade |
55 |
278 |
$374 |
$9.35 |
$631 |
$15.78 |
|
Retail Trade |
327 |
2,846 |
$281 |
$7.03 |
$300 |
$7.50 |
|
Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate |
61 |
414 |
$504 |
$12.60 |
$715 |
$17.88 |
|
Services |
416 |
3,131 |
$375 |
$9.38 |
$458 |
$11.45 |
|
State Government |
8 |
63 |
$653 |
$16.33 |
$576 |
$14.40 |
|
Local Government |
59 |
1,514 |
$400 |
$10.00 |
$461 |
$11.53 |