Most needed jobs in Maine?

Submitted by Pleasentplayer1230 t3_10r43pu in Maine

I want to do some that’s important and needed in an area; and since I’m moving to Maine, what are some jobs your think in Maine are going to be most needed in like 3-6 years?

18

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

FITM-K t1_j6ti4id wrote

Anything in the medical field is desperately needed.

Most of the trades too. Plumbers, electricians, etc. don't have to look too hard for work.

101

GratefulHead420 t1_j6toiap wrote

If you are in the trades and take phone calls, and respond to messages, you will drown in work.

77

FITM-K t1_j6tx02d wrote

Well, the reason most of them don't take phone calls or respond to messages is that they're already drowning in work. But yeah.

48

disposition00 t1_j6u62u6 wrote

Being an electrician that is absolutely the truth right now.

16

The_Maine_Sam t1_j6wv3a0 wrote

Virtual assistants are really pretty cheap tbh and it must be either ignorance of their existence or the good ole boy resistance to change mentality. To u/GratefulHead420 's point, most tradespeople have incredibly lackluster customer service skills and would be able to do more and charge more with someone handling the phones!

2

FITM-K t1_j6wzcg9 wrote

I don't know if I'd agree that's true of most tradespeople, but it's definitely true of some. That said, if you have all of the work that you want/can handle already, what would be the point of hiring a virtual assistant just so they can call a bunch of people back and say "no"? I guess it creates a slightly better "customer experience", but then, that person isn't actually going to be a customer so I understand why a tradesperson wouldn't want to invest in improving their experience.

1

The_Maine_Sam t1_j6x0pfb wrote

It's the same reason successful tradespeople often hire someone to perform estimates. They're delegating low hanging tasks so that they can focus on money making activities. A VA allows you to take more jobs because you're spending less time chasing clients for scheduling, payment, fielding questions, etc.

The nice thing about the trades is it offers an opportunity to work for yourself and run your own business but for, again, I'll say, most tradespeople, they really could use some classes on how to run their business optimally.

3

theharddog1 t1_j6u39yp wrote

And then you won’t be able to take calls….and so on, we need reasonable rentals sos people can move here, we need population growth in order to keep Maintaining Maine

8

Enigmedic t1_j6uvhyc wrote

Medical can't be in too high of demand, everywhere is paying way fucking less than anywhere around where I currently am (similar cost of living when not looking around Portland). I want to move back home to Maine but I would lose so much money doing it. Not to mention losing out on opportunities for growth and other training available in bigger areas.

The reviews for health systems by employees are also terrible. So paycut + shittier work environment doesn't seem like a leap I want to take. Hell my mom moved back to Maine to be closer to family, but the hospital she worked at was so backasswards she moved back south after like 6 months.

8

Intelligent-Cap712 t1_j6vrbos wrote

I finished a travel contract at Maine Med, $5k week. Maine pays nurses like crap. At least 75% of the hospital was travel nurses. Maines nurses travel between Portland and New Hampshire because the pay is 10 yrs behind other states.

5

Smitch250 t1_j6v04kj wrote

Medical field is terrible. Everyone i know in it is absolutely miserable even the rich ones. Electrican would be the way to go I can never find an electrician for my bridge projects. They are all too busy to bother with small electrical jobs less than $10k

8

Tony-Flags t1_j6tmm2t wrote

A buddy of mine wanted to do a career shift- he started school for being an electrician. He was three weeks into the program and through the teacher of the class he had four job offers to apprentice. Just about any tradesperson is going to be in very high demand.

Also: healthcare, teachers, therapists, veterinarians, all kinds of things.

87

maineff t1_j6wnun4 wrote

I am a Master electrician here in Maine I can confirm. Most helpers are starting at 20 to $25 an hour non-union. I think the union rates are a little bit lower actually initially, but that's a trade-off where further into the apprenticeship you'll be making more than the non-union kids. I'm self-employed and charge $105 an hour.

13

Magus1739 t1_j784nw6 wrote

Now I'm really thinking about switching over to being an electrician

1

maineff t1_j7dwu0x wrote

A lot of the community colleges have evening courses for the education

1

Seyword t1_j6xoimx wrote

Who would pay $105 an hour? 🧐

−7

maineff t1_j6xoz7m wrote

Literally all my customers do. I know some electricians that are now getting $135 an hour. The thing you have to understand about being a self-employed electrician, is that there are going to be hours that you cannot bill. Because of that you generally need to have a higher billable hourly rate.

8

exhaustedforever t1_j6ydx34 wrote

I would. My home needs help. But I’m in a GRAY area an no one wants to come here, I swear.

3

UnkleClarke t1_j6ybawa wrote

Haha. Anybody that needs an electrician. $105 is a bargain these days!

6

ChickenBeans t1_j73wrf4 wrote

Per hour including travel, parts runs etc. like a mechanic… add OT/ call fees and that adds up! HOWEVER Folks deserve to be covered for running a good proper business and stepping up to help us in emergencies at all hours. Thank you!!

3

Slimslade33 t1_j6xp0q7 wrote

People who can't do it themselves and live in a rural area without many options...

2

WhimWhamWhizzyWazzle t1_j6tr6mu wrote

Literally any tradesperson: carpenter, plumber, electrician, HVAC tech, insulator, roofer, etc. If you're willing to do any sort of manual labor this state is hurting for it.

Bought my first house a few years back and I've had to learn to do all sorts of shit I would have much rather just paid a professional to do, but I can't find any sort of reputable contractor to do any work without a 3-6 month wait.

47

fishmanstutu t1_j6vlcw4 wrote

What’s your going rate lol I have work that needs to be done. Just messing but I hear ya as a homeowner.

3

alpha417 t1_j6th8xg wrote

Emergency Dept Nurse.

23

Eapz t1_j6u5ual wrote

While this is true… op, don’t go into nursing. Don’t do it.

21

Subject-Ad-5854 t1_j6vyocg wrote

As an RN I can't agree enough with this statement. I would never encourage anyone to be a nurse. The abuse from all sides is just not worth it.

9

[deleted] t1_j6tiszh wrote

[deleted]

21

Spirited_Meet_4817 t1_j6tjmfq wrote

Bedside nursing is an incredibly difficult job. They are angels who literally deal with sh+t, vomit, agitated patients, and high stress environments. Everyday, I wonder how they do it.

13

Laeek t1_j6tke5k wrote

I'm not sure if it comes with significant financial incentives but USM has a fifteen month BS to RN program that isn't terribly expensive.

8

_GeoffreyLebowski t1_j6tnuk6 wrote

I know that MMC gives nursing scholarships to existing employees, plus tuition reimbursement. It is meant to help people from the general healthcare field advance degrees.

6

Intelligent-Cap712 t1_j6vrizi wrote

Maine just needs to pay their nurses. I make $20/hr more in Texas as a staff nurse than Maine nurses with the same experience.

4

alpha417 t1_j6tpdq4 wrote

it is no where near $75k for student loans to do an accelerated RN program

3

78FANGIRL t1_j6u2iyv wrote

We need everything, doctors (all types of specialists), dentists, veterinarians, etc. I mean, we can't even keep Denny's in Bangor open every day. Unfortunately, pay is terrible in Maine. There's not much to do, it's expensive, and you have to travel anywhere because Maine is a big state.

16

Mainah888 t1_j6tk9w2 wrote

Bus drivers School teachers Fast food workers Non-licensed medical jobs It's a long list.

15

Squidworth89 t1_j6tm6wc wrote

Maines starting to use unqualified people for full time teachers. Likely cause they don’t pay enough to put up with the job.

22

mmaalex t1_j6tmzix wrote

A large number of rural schools got hit, needing to raise pay to comply with the states new minimum teacher pay law due to how bad some of the pay is.

The minimum for this year is only $40k for a certified teacher.

9

Squidworth89 t1_j6tnzjt wrote

Which isn’t bad starting out… but all the experienced teachers got shafted.

Fresh out of college $40,000 Ten years experience + masters + extra credits $55,000… maybe.

8

Sufficient_Risk1684 t1_j6wursf wrote

Yeah it is... Minimum wage is 29k a year now.... Requiring a college degree to make only 30% more then minimum wage?

1

Squidworth89 t1_j6x2yn1 wrote

A college degree doesn’t equal skills necessarily. $40k first year teaching is decent. They have a lot to learn still first couple years.

0

Sufficient_Risk1684 t1_j6x3s7u wrote

True, but it's a cost and investment. 40k minimum and four years of time to make 30% more then the worst possible pay. When you could have not spent the money, worked full time those four years and had 4 years of experience and raises in another career path. It's decent in terms of teacher pay maybe but not in terms of pay inflation in many other fields.

1

Squidworth89 t1_j6x4r5a wrote

Outside of a trade that four years of experience isn’t going to get you far over the long run. You’re not going to have the benefits teachers have day one.

Teachers go from college to into a classroom by themselves. They have no real teaching skills post college… they learn with the into the frying pan approach. College is all theory and little practice. Which is fine. But don’t over value paper. I personally wouldn’t want my kids to have a teacher with < 3 years on the job experience.

1

CobaltAzurean t1_j6tw09r wrote

Postal carrier.

12

exhaustedforever t1_j6ut6yh wrote

Westbrook residents would like their mail more often than twice a month—you’re dang right

11

sledbelly t1_j6tjwxg wrote

Anesthesiologists and CRNA

They are so short that the sign on bonuses are insane

10

m3rma1d t1_j6tnili wrote

Nursing home staff.

9

cobaltcrazy207 t1_j6vlsx1 wrote

Having worked in several, the issue is the companies that run them.. they run a skeleton staff on purpose and underpay everyone so they can pocket the lion's share of the income while providing only the most basic service (and sometimes not even that).

7

classicgirl1990 t1_j6toiqc wrote

Fine carpenters and any trade needed for house building.

9

darisaziez t1_j6tr7ou wrote

For a bit of clarification, all these job that people are talking about are needed now and will very likely still be needed in 3–6 years.

8

[deleted] t1_j6tm7ya wrote

[deleted]

7

lipsticknic3 t1_j6tsau9 wrote

Yes, definitely need pharmacists up here. My pharmacy can't handle their load and are so short staffed. I actually wrote them a thank you note because when I call and ask a question they sound so stressed and rushed.

8

Blackish1975 t1_j6tmzpi wrote

Mortician or Funeral Director

7

Dr_Clout t1_j6typ6g wrote

Couple months ago I saw Bibbers in kennebunk was hiring an on call mortician for $16 an hour. Does one want to be woken up in the middle of the night to haul a body out of a house, or make iced coffee?

I say this having made ice coffee at dunks in 2017 as my 2nd job making $12.50 an hour. Dunks is hiring at $16 an hour now. It’s a good gig ffs for what it is! Especially with tips

4

eljefino t1_j6u34aq wrote

Which of those two jobs lets you drive the Ghostbusters car though?

8

Mor_Ericks28 t1_j6tq50b wrote

Respiratory therapists. Please come!!!

7

Intelligent-Cap712 t1_j6vrmwn wrote

You are right! The most undervalued profession in the medical field along with paramedics.

2

quikcath t1_j7dlnns wrote

Finally some love for Respiratory therapists! The true front line of COVID. They should be paid so much more for the things they do!

2

_GeoffreyLebowski t1_j6to55r wrote

I know a bunch of people have said anything in the medical field, I would call out Lab Techs. It can be a very good career path without some of the stress of direct patient care.

6

Low-Shake8053 t1_j6tprtz wrote

Could you eli5 who I become a lab tech

3

_GeoffreyLebowski t1_j6u2e9u wrote

I will start off by saying my suggestions are very southern Maine centric, so if you are going to be in a different part of Maine this may not be super helpful.

The first thing to do would be to make sure you have your GED or High School Diploma. Then go to a lab website and find a tech position. Nordx operates the Labs for all the MaineHealth hospitals and has tons of openings, here is an example of a posting.

https://www.careersatmainehealth.org/jobs/1350029-anatomic-pathology-technician-histology

The job description will say prior Tech experience preferred, but you definitely want to make sure your resume has things on it that point to you wanting to work in healthcare. Volunteering at hospitals, or non clinical jobs in the healthcare field would be a great thing to have on your resume to show that. So would college or community college level classes on Health Sciences or Healthcare Administration.

Another option would be to start as a phlebotomist, working at a lab clinic or hospital drawing blood. This is a direct patient care role, but is often a good inroad to a lab carreer. SMCC has a 6 week fully paid program where you can learn to become a phlebotomist.

https://my.smccme.edu/ICS/icsfs/Phlebotomy_221115.pdf?target=2dea6825-44e6-4429-bf41-f76919df0555

I hope some of this helps. Maine does need new blood in the workforce, so good luck!

7

dungeonlaa t1_j6vsr4d wrote

Unfortunately there is a lot of stress in labs due to short staffing and severe underpayments, our job is invisible to many 😕

2

New-Work-139 t1_j6tvhhm wrote

Plumber, electrician, roofer, HVAC.

5

aaaastring t1_j6vuwaf wrote

Maine is in desperate need of therapist ever since the pandemic started. I think there will definitely still be a need in 6 years

5

Filbertine t1_j6u7ral wrote

Therapists! Come one come all

4

chiappetta t1_j6tvs4b wrote

Right now probably mail delivery person

3

New_Sun6390 t1_j6tzv1c wrote

Trades -- electricians, plumbers, carpentry.

Health care -- doctors, nurses, home care for elderly

3

timothypjr t1_j6uaej6 wrote

Trades. People willing to do smaller fixit jobs. Finding an electrician to fix a problem in my house has been impossible.

3

Background_Coyote230 t1_j6uxnuv wrote

I mean, we also need basic quality administrative support. All business, nonprofits, government agencies, etc, need people who are tech savvy, responsive, and willing to work. It is nearly impossible to hire someone to work general office jobs right now. (Receptionists, calendaring, assistants, up into ops/insurance/HR, town administration, etc.)

3

Ferh35 t1_j6v2jdw wrote

So if my 13 year old and my 11 year old wanted to stay around, then it’s either nursing or a trade, not trying to bash, I mean I’m an immigrant who serve the USAF when I got to the us

3

seeclick8 t1_j724ouu wrote

My grandson, 15, has two grandparents with PHDs, all other adults with Masters or more, everyone in some sort of educational or health care field, and he wants to be an electrician. He likes to hunt and fish and wants to be able to control his time and not incur tons of college debt. We are all for it.

1

schreckenghast666 t1_j6v4r1x wrote

Solar industry and electricians. It’s booming in Maine and shows no signs of slowing down!

3

JStanton617 t1_j6v4tbd wrote

Same everywhere, but electrician and HVAC are going to be in huge demand for decades. We’re about to rewire the whole world (solar, EVs, general electrification of appliances) and improving indoor air quality (COVID mitigation) has just started

3

fishmanstutu t1_j6vlnby wrote

What we don’t need are more cannabis places. If you don’t do that your at a + already. Hope ya enjoy

3

theharddog1 t1_j6u327f wrote

Construction especially complete home remodeling. Buy a dumpster house and create a new home for about half the price of new! Long term opportunities here north of Portland

2

Guygan t1_j6u3azl wrote

Dermatologist

Psychotherapist

Psychologist

General Contractor

Home Health Aid

2

abbiyah t1_j6ufvrr wrote

Doctors, especially specialists

2

Doodums72 t1_j6ug3el wrote

How about mechanics?

2

SadExtension524 t1_j6uqxrm wrote

Medical, computers, and definitely trades!

2

Chamelion117 t1_j6v4ped wrote

Truck drivers are needed everywhere. My CDL-A was the 2nd best investment I ever made.

2

outer_fucking_space t1_j6vgxnd wrote

Carpenters, painters, marine mechanics pretty much anywhere on the coast.

2

DidDunMegasploded t1_j6ug6ym wrote

Anything involving working with the disabled. Those careers have been suffering for years and it's only gotten worse and worse with each passing year. It's a most-needed job now, but no one has the time, the patience, and the tolerance to work with such a vulnerable population for very little pay.

1

kcolli07 t1_j6yn6yg wrote

This has been my favorite job for the last 15 years but the pay is horrendous. It’s just a side job for me now because of that. But it’s for sure such a wonderful way to accompany people in asserting their independence and autonomy and have a really dynamic work experience. But like you said… pay is like $16-$18/hour and it can be extremely demanding with tough hours. And there are much easier jobs that pay the same.

1

TheSmolHecker t1_j6vxxwj wrote

Bus drivers & postal workers are top that come to mind.

1

aussie96 t1_j6w35w3 wrote

General labor honestly

1

takeurpantsoff t1_j6wdvis wrote

Water and wastewater operators. 5-10 years from now will see massive amounts of people in the field retiring creating an intense need for new professionals. Benefits are insane, pay is good. Work is mostly stress free.

1

ReptileElite t1_j6wjykd wrote

Machinist, and I'm not talking about "button pushers". Quality machinists that have critical thinking skills.

1

lvcironman42 t1_j6wk8r9 wrote

More healthcare workers are needed very bad. Trade jobs can always be used because they are incredibly useful, especially up North where people are building houses and camps.

1

Huckleberry-Powerful t1_j6wxm52 wrote

I think if you're young and ambitious, you could bypass college or tech school. If you're willing to knock on the doors of some tradesman business owners, I bet you would not be long finding someone willing to pay you and give you on the job training. I turn wrenches and operate equipment on a farm and make $50k/yr and get offhand job offers all the time. I started doing general labor at a different farm (a big farm where I could learn things other than pulling weeds and scrubbing carrots) right out of high school and jut made it known that I craved knowledge and experience. 10 years later, I'm pretty happy with my gig.

Also, consider your interest in living in a rural community. I know all kinds of folks from rural Maine that ran downtown Portland or Boston after college to get high paying jobs as insurance salesman or whatever and have painted themselves into a suburban corner because they can't get an equivalent salary in the country.

1

ScenePlayful1872 t1_j6xcynm wrote

One fact to remember with the variety of responses to the healthcare field: Maine has THE oldest population in the country. A higher percentage of old folks than FL, AZ or anywhere else. That won’t change, even with the post-pandemic influx looking for cheaper real estate (which is why building trades is mentioned here so much)

1

ScenePlayful1872 t1_j6xg8k5 wrote

To add: many newcomers are also looking a simpler lifestyle with more remote-work options available. And for Medical needs, Maine is the equivalent of This Old House. As far as location, the further north or west of Portland you go, housing will be more affordable. And definitely a need for You, whatever you decide on. Welcome, and good luck!

1

theora55 t1_j6xojp0 wrote

Electrician, engineer, therapist, health care-all. Any job that can be automated, will be, so choose something that requires human interaction.

1

Seyword t1_j6xok7h wrote

MAIL DELIVERY

1

Chubby_but_pretty t1_j6zqs3y wrote

Teacher. There’s a shortage now and we will still have one in a few years. The University of Southern Maine has a 1 year teacher prep program (ETEP) if you already have a Bachelor’s.

1

avebabeee t1_j7dcu6j wrote

I work in the human services field and we need direct care staff for group homes. BAD. But, the pay is not great compared to other fields that are struggling.

1

InfamousCelery4438 t1_j6w14fj wrote

I just got ditched from the Vocational training for being an electrician because I don't have a car, so Fuck You, Maine. I've sent for my passport, and I will move to Canada and become a truck driver or whatever they need. Fuck America and Fuck Maine and I am NOT fucking around. Get fucking LOST.

−1