Although Maine marks the end of the Appalachian Trail, it’s the beginning of the path for remote work opportunities. On the other hand, you may not get a chance to answer emails when you’re stuffing your face with lobster, but at least you’ll know there’s a virtual job to get done once you take off your lobster bib.
About Maine
Famous for fresh-caught lobster, Acadia National Park, and its abundance of coastline—even more than California—Maine is a retreat for the avid outdoorsman and foodie alike. This rare combo allows you to hike to some of the majestic landscapes in New England and finish it up with a seafood boil of epic proportions. No wonder President George H.W. Bush and his family took every chance they could to stay at their retreat in Kennebunkport.
Although Maine cuisine is heavy on lobster and other seafood, the recent trend of farm-to-table cuisine has put Maine on the culinary map. Diners, high-class restaurants, and dockside joints remain staples of the Maine foodie trail, and once that will certainly necessitate some exercise. In summer, do some island-hopping, and in winter, hit the slopes. Whatever you love to do, Maine is the place to do it.
“In Maine, we have a saying that there’s no point in speaking unless you can improve on silence.” – Edmund Muskie, former U.S. Senator from Maine
The latest statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that the mean annual wage in Maine is $48,470 or $23.30 per hour. Some of the top industries include healthcare, software development and IT, construction/construction management, sales, insurance, and education.
Maine Remote Work Incentives
To attract the potential for remote workers and keep talented workers in the state, Maine’s state government has started an initiative that aims to slash students’ loan bills. Students that graduated from a university in Maine between 2007 and 2016 can take advantage of this new law by lowering their state tax bill by the amount they pay in student loans. For example, if your student loan payments were $2,000 but your state tax liability is $1,500, you’ll only owe taxes on the leftover $500. The state government also offers the same deal to non-Maine graduates who relocate to the state, provided they graduated in 2015 or later.
Small businesses can enjoy tax savings in Maine thanks to a number of grants and incentives. Depending on the size of the business and the industry, business owners can eliminate sales and use taxes for up to 10 years. In addition, they may be eligible for up to $500,000 in development awards and $25,000 in seed money. The Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) also offers financing and funding for startups if they meet minimum qualifications.
Remote-Enabled Companies with Hubs in Maine
Thanks to an arrangement between the Maine state government and other private entities such as Live+Work in Maine, Maine has started to gain steam as a mecca for remote workers. Many Maine employers have also embraced telework as a way to cut costs, increase productivity, and contribute to the state’s green initiative. If you’re searching for a virtual job, discover all these Maine companies have to offer.
CourseStorm
Founded in 2011, CourseStorm is an Orono-based company that provides class registration software. Through their specialized software, they can streamline registration and payment processes, saving brick-and-mortar and online education companies time and money.
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. is a veterinary services company with headquarters in Westbrook. Since 1983, they’ve developed, manufactured, and distributed veterinary products to customers in 175 countries. They currently have 7,000 employees that work in their Maine offices and around the globe.
IronPlane
Based in Portland, Maine, IronPlane creates custom e-commerce solutions for companies in New England and the Northeast. Because of the digital nature of their business, many of their available jobs are 100% remote.
L.L. Bean, Inc.
With 55 retail locations and a huge online sales platform, L.L. Bean, Inc. is one of the largest privately-owned retail clothing and outdoor recreation equipment companies in the United States. The company’s headquarters are in Freeport, Maine, where the company was founded in 1912. Currently, the company has 5,100 employees and revenues of $1.6 billion.
MEMIC
MEMIC is a company that specializes in workers’ compensation insurance. Started in Portland, Maine, in 1993, the organization offers safety workshops and information to its clients to help reduce the incidence of workers’ compensation claims.
NexRep
NexRep is a fully remote company out of Portland, Maine, that provides virtual customer service agents to U.S. companies. Each customer service representative is based in the United States, providing a personalized approach to customer management solutions without resorting to offshore outsourcing.
RxAnte, LLC
Founded in 2011, RxAnte, LLC is a Portland, Maine-based software development company. Through their software, the company is able to reduce medical costs for drugs, improve medication use, and get more value for prescriptions to patients and healthcare providers.
Sustainable Harvest International
Based in Ellsworth, Sustainable Harvest International (SHI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to stopping tropical deforestation. Working with farming communities throughout Central America, SHI provides alternative farming solutions to eliminate poverty and maintain the health of tropical rainforests.
Unity College
Unity College is a private liberal arts college that’s known as America’s Environmental College. Through both its online and residential classes, Unity College offers programs in sustainability and resource utilization. Laid out over 240 acres in Unity, Maine, the school currently has over 700 students and offers 18 undergraduate degrees and seven graduate degrees.
WEX Inc.
WEX Inc. is a South Portland-based company that provides payment solutions and management software for companies of all sizes. Since 1983, WEX Inc. has helped thousands of customers organize their healthcare plans, take payments, and run their business vehicle fleets.
Maine Coworking Centers for Remote Work
With beautiful scenery and delectable food at seemingly every turn, Maine has its fair share of distractions. Although some people can put on blinders, buckle down, and get some work done just about anywhere, other virtual workers need an inspirational and quiet workspace. That’s what makes coworking centers, also known as coworking spaces, worth the price of admission. For a small monthly fee, coworking space members can collaborate with other remote workers, enjoy free coffee, and maximize their productivity. Here are a few of the top coworking centers in Maine that are sure to help you network and complete your next project.
You’ll find even more Maine remote work resources and stats in our infographic below! You may also view the Maine Remote Work Resources Infographic as a PDF, which will allow you to access the URLs hyperlinked throughout the image as well as the links attached to the Virtual Vocations logo and social media icons.
How Virtual Vocations Can Assist You in Your Maine Remote Job Search
With Maine’s burgeoning remote work scene, now is the time to start your virtual career. Virtual Vocations has all the tools to get you started. From our remote work certification and career services to our reliable, vetted job board with over 20,000 listings, Virtual Vocations is your trusted partner when it comes to finding a remote job. Log on today to let Virtual Vocations turn your remote work aspirations into reality.
Offering remote work certification, a telecommute toolkit, LinkedIn profile customization, and more, Virtual Vocations is sure to take your Maine remote job hunt to a successful conclusion.
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