The Maine Department of Labor reported the 2009 average civilian labor force in Bangor area as 72,228, one of the largest in Maine. The Bangor area labor force has experienced stable growth since 2000 with employment figures increasing from 64,400 in 2000 to 72,228 in 2009, for an additional 7,828 people employed. Local employees tend to have higher educations, and employees are known for high productivity, motivation, and dedication, with low absenteeism and turnover.

The Bangor region offers companies a productive, motivated and educated workforce.  In fact, a recent recruitment effort for major employers in retail, service and manufacturing by the Maine Job Service yielded between six and ten qualified applicants for every available opening.  Strong employers offering competitive wages and benefits can expect an above average applicant pool from which to select employees.

One reason is that within eight miles of Bangor, colleges graduate over 3,000 students annually.

BANGOR AREA COMMUTER WORKFORCE

Bangor’s labor force of nearly 72,000 people is one of the largest in Maine.  The Commuter Area Work Force, which includes communities within current commuting patterns, is nearly 140,000 people. As such, the Bangor area offers businesses access to a large, diverse labor force.

According to a study commissioned by the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development and performed by the Center for Business and Economic Research by the University of Southern Maine, approximately 12% of those who work part-time would prefer full time work but are unable to find it.  Perhaps more telling in terms of the availability of a qualified, ready and willing workforce, the same study found the mean time to fill skilled manufacturing positions in the Bangor Region is only one week.