The Maine Department of Labor says unemployment dropped by one-tenth of a percentage point to 8.1 percent.
April’s jobless rate is down from 8.2 percent in March.

The MDOL said that jobs are on the increase as well. This year over 2,300 have been created, singling that Maine is emerging from the recession.

The unemployment rates across Maine varies dramatically from 6.6 percent in Cumberland County to 12.8 percent in Piscataquis County.

Among New England states, MDOL Commissioner Laura Fortman said Maine’s unemployment rate is lower than Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut, but higher than New Hampshire and Vermont.