New research examines rising economic output and wages in an environment of slowing job growth and workforce implications of AI

June 25, 2025

For Immediate Release: June 25, 2025

New research examines rising economic output and wages in an environment of slowing job growth and workforce implications of AI

AUGUSTA - The Center for Workforce Research and Information (CWRI) - https://www.maine.gov/labor/cwri/ released a report analyzing forces shaping the state's labor market. The article, Output and Jobs in the 2000s: the economy and average wages growing while job and population changes slow - https://www.maine.gov/labor/cwri/sites/maine.gov.labor.cwri/files/publications/2025-06/OutputJobsProductivity_0.pdf , documents that the value of economic output in Maine increased at a much faster rate than jobs in the 2000s.

Adoption of technology and other factors contributed to rising wages, along with strong demand relative to available labor supply, and a rising share of jobs in higher-paying sectors. A notable finding is that workers without college education experienced the fastest rates of wage gains, especially in the last five years.

An additional report, delivered to the Governor's AI Task Force - https://www.maine.gov/labor/cwri/sites/maine.gov.labor.cwri/files/publications/2025-04/AITaskForceApril%202025.pdf , explores the implications of generative artificial intelligence. It documents the potential use of AI among a wide range of occupations, including how likely they are to be impacted by its' adoption. This includes characteristics, such as current jobs, wages, and educational requirements. AI has the potential to enhance the productivity of some workers and to displace others as it is implemented for certain job functions.

More information from CWRI can be found here: https://www.maine.gov/labor/cwri/