Value-Added

-0.6

In 2022, value-added per worker fell 0.6%, and was 22% below the U.S. average.

No significant movement since the last available data

Benchmark: Maine’s value-added per worker will improve to within 15% of the U.S. average by 2030.

Overview Fig. A

Overview

This indicator measures the productivity of workers by dividing gross domestic product by the total number of part- and full-time jobs. Maine has a relatively high share of part-time jobs, which lowers our value added per worker. Productivity also reflects skill levels, business costs, and a region’s mix of industries.

Worker productivity in Maine is lower than in most other states, but it has been increasing. It ranked 42nd among the 50 states in 2022, up from 48th in 2016. Adjusted for inflation, value added fell 0.6% to $99,365 per worker. While any decrease is unwelcome, the drop is less than it was for the U.S., New England, and other EPSCoR states, which fell 2.0%, 1.6%, and 2.3% respectively. By this measure Maine is now 22% behind the nation, an improvement from 2010-2019, when Maine trailed the U.S. by 25% on average.

Both the Council and the State’s 10-Year Economic Strategy draw attention to the importance of increasing value added to grow Maine’s economy and boost wages. The Council seeks for Maine to be within 15% of the U.S. average by 2030, while the State strives for 10% growth from 2017 levels.

Fig. A

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Real Value-Added per Worker

U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis