These Are The 10 Hardest Working Places In Maine

Discover the 10 Hardest Working Places in Maine (2026)

As we step into 2026, America continues to be recognized as the land of opportunity, where hard work and determination pave the way for better lives. In Maine, the spirit of diligence is palpable, but some areas exemplify this work ethic more than others. Join us as we highlight the hardest working places in the Pine Tree State.

Leading the charge is Cumberland Center, which has earned the title of the hardest working place in Maine. The dedication of its residents is so strong that even the commute can feel like a full-time job!

Curious about which other towns are known for their commitment to hard work? Here are the top contenders that consistently put in the hours and effort:

The work ethic in Maine is commendable, and if you’re in Rumford, there’s plenty to learn from the rest of the state!

For more Maine insights, check out:

The 100 Largest Companies in Maine
The 100 Highest Paying Jobs in Maine

Methodology for Ranking the Hardest Working Places in Maine

At Zippia, we rely on data to tackle tough questions. For this analysis, we utilized the latest American Community Survey data to identify the hardest working areas in Maine.

We focused on various metrics, including:

Average hours worked per week
Average commute time
Workers per household (employed labor force divided by the number of households)
Labor force participation rate
Percentage of adults with a college degree

By examining these factors, we aimed to highlight communities where residents are dedicated to their jobs, whether through long hours, significant educational investment, or extensive commutes. Each location was ranked from 1 to 66, with 1 indicating the highest level of hard work. The final hardworking index determined the hardest working place, with Cumberland Center emerging as the clear leader.

Explore the detailed chart below to learn more about why each area ranked as it did.

1. Cumberland Center

Population: 2,636 College Graduates: 68.4%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 39.0
Workers Per Household: 1.4

2. Scarborough

Population: 4,931 College Graduates: 43.3%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 40.9
Workers Per Household: 1.4

3. North Windham

Population: 4,573 College Graduates: 33.0%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 40.2
Workers Per Household: 1.3

4. Hampden

Population: 3,944 College Graduates: 44.2%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 39.3
Workers Per Household: 1.5

5. Falmouth

Population: 2,179 College Graduates: 67.6%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 38.3
Workers Per Household: 1.3

6. South Eliot

Population: 3,708 College Graduates: 31.6%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 37.6
Workers Per Household: 1.5

7. Bar Harbor

Population: 2,524 College Graduates: 51.7%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 37.6
Workers Per Household: 1.5

8. Saco

Population: 18,757 College Graduates: 31.2%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 38.4
Workers Per Household: 1.4

9. Kennebunk

Population: 5,575 College Graduates: 51.2%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 41.1
Workers Per Household: 1.1

10. South Portland

Population: 25,154 College Graduates: 40.2%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 38.1
Workers Per Household: 1.4

Comprehensive List of the Hardest Working Places in Maine

City	Rank	Population	College Graduates	Average Hours Worked Per Week	Workers Per Household
Cumberland Center	1	2,636	68.4%	39.0	1.4
Scarborough	2	4,931	43.3%	40.9	1.4
North Windham	3	4,573	33.0%	40.2	1.3
Hampden	4	3,944	44.2%	39.3	1.5
Falmouth	5	2,179	67.6%	38.3	1.3
South Eliot	6	3,708	31.6%	37.6	1.5
Bar Harbor	7	2,524	51.7%	37.6	1.5
Saco	8	18,757	31.2%	38.4	1.4
Kennebunk	9	5,575	51.2%	41.1	1.1
South Portland	10	25,154	40.2%	38.1	1.4
York Harbor	11	3,190	54.2%	38.6	1.2
Lake Arrowhead	12	2,890	26.4%	39.8	1.7
Portland	13	66,317	45.6%	38.0	1.3
Gorham	14	6,596	48.2%	33.1	1.7
Pittsfield	15	3,063	21.2%	37.0	1.5
Lisbon Falls	16	4,135	23.7%	38.0	1.4
Topsham	17	6,228	40.5%	36.4	1.3
Brewer	18	9,391	31.4%	37.7	1.3
Orono	19	9,514	62.1%	31.0	1.9
Rockland	20	7,241	32.4%	38.3	1.1
Kittery	21	4,766	32.1%	38.7	1.3
Yarmouth	22	5,645	54.8%	36.6	1.3
Milford	23	2,256	20.2%	39.1	1.3
Berwick	24	2,048	29.6%	38.3	1.7
Camden	25	3,351	47.2%	38.3	0.9
Gardiner	26	5,737	20.2%	38.1	1.2
Bridgton	27	2,182	32.6%	36.5	1.2
Brunswick	28	15,275	38.2%	34.4	1.3
Winthrop	29	2,651	33.0%	34.4	1.3
Biddeford	30	21,303	22.9%	36.0	1.4
Cape Neddick	31	2,984	40.5%	42.5	1.1
Ellsworth	32	7,804	31.1%	38.8	1.2
Oakland	33	2,516	24.0%	38.3	1.0
Wilton	34	2,097	29.0%	37.7	1.2
Old Town	35	7,756	26.8%	36.3	1.3
Winslow	36	7,709	23.2%	38.8	1.2
Farmington	37	4,142	36.3%	27.5	1.4
Westbrook	38	17,662	26.7%	38.2	1.2
Hallowell	39	2,471	44.9%	36.3	1.1
Richmond	40	2,034	23.3%	38.4	1.3
Norway	41	2,286	7.9%	40.6	0.9
Bangor	42	32,800	28.0%	36.8	1.2
Presque Isle	43	9,494	19.7%	36.7	1.2
Caribou	44	8,025	19.2%	39.1	1.1
Bucksport	45	2,453	30.1%	36.9	1.0
Auburn	46	22,960	24.9%	37.6	1.2
Thomaston	47	2,052	30.8%	36.4	1.2
Old Orchard Beach	48	8,679	27.7%	37.6	1.0
Belfast	49	6,664	40.0%	36.6	1.1
Augusta	50	18,898	23.2%	37.7	1.1
Houlton	51	4,840	17.8%	38.9	1.0
Bath	52	8,396	31.0%	36.6	1.1
Madawaska	53	2,825	16.9%	36.3	0.8
Calais	54	3,063	17.3%	37.2	0.9
Millinocket	55	4,451	11.4%	37.3	0.9
Fort Kent	56	2,468	26.4%	36.2	1.2
Dover-Foxcroft	57	2,542	28.2%	32.0	1.2
Skowhegan	58	6,219	17.1%	38.1	0.9
Lewiston	59	36,410	15.7%	36.8	1.2
Waterville	60	15,886	25.5%	36.2	1.2
Fairfield	61	2,773	23.1%	33.1	1.2
Farmingdale	62	2,056	26.5%	37.5	0.7
Lincoln	63	2,947	10.0%	37.1	0.9
South Paris	64	2,906	13.8%	35.8	1.0
Madison	65	2,648	11.0%	36.1	0.9
Rumford	66	4,395	11.9%	33.8	1.1

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Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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