Registered Nurse Salary in Maine: $94,043 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maine's 10 metropolitan areas, the average median registered nurse pay sits at $94,043/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1141. Because Maine sits at BEA RPP 99.6 (0% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $94,421 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bangor ($93,940), Scarborough ($92,700), Biddeford ($91,926).
In 2026, the average median salary for registered nurses in Maine is projected to be $94,043, which is 8.5% lower than the national median of $102,730. The highest salaries can be found in Bangor, where RNs are expected to earn $98,928, while Auburn marks the lowest at $90,404. This salary gap of $8,524 is primarily driven by factors such as the local cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the presence of specialized medical facilities in certain areas. Maine's licensing requirements for nurses are consistent with national standards, which include passing the NCLEX-RN exam and holding a valid state license. The scope of practice laws also allow for a variety of nursing roles to address the state's growing healthcare needs. The healthcare sector in Maine is expanding, with an annual compounded growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, reflecting a consistent need for registered nurses as the population ages and healthcare innovations emerge. With a total employment figure of 10,475 registered nurses in the state, the job market remains strong, offering ample opportunities for both new graduates and seasoned professionals. Regions like Bangor and Scarborough are projected to lead in salary offers, indicating a targeted need for skilled nurses in those areas.
Maine Registered Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maine: $64,331 (lowest entry-level) to $130,807 (highest top earner)
Maine vs National Average
Maine registered nurses earn 8.46% less than the national median ($-8,687/year difference).
Maine Registered Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Registered Nurse salaries in Maine range from $81,350 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $110,893 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $94,043. The Maine median is $8,687 below the US national median of $102,730. The average hourly rate is $45.21/hr. Approximately 10,475 registered nurses are employed across 10 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$70,794
2025 BLS Actual
$89,301
2026 Current Est.
$94,043
2019–2027 Growth
+39.9%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Maine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,794 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,752 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,446 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,664 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,315 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,661 | Actual |
| 2025 | $89,301 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,043 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,037 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maine metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 26.1% from $70,794 (2019) to $89,301 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,037 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,243 (39.89%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maine metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Maine
Lowest Paying Cities in Maine
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Auburn | $90,404 |
| Lewiston | $90,430 |
| South Portland | $92,769 |
| Portland | $93,168 |
| Brunswick | $94,683 |
Best Value Cities for Registered Nurses in Maine
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maine cities offer the most purchasing power for registered nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor | $98,928 | 96.508 | $102,508 |
| Scarborough | $97,622 | 99.6 | $98,014 |
| Biddeford | $96,807 | 99.6 | $97,196 |
| Augusta | $96,484 | 99.6 | $96,871 |
| Sanford | $95,584 | 99.6 | $95,968 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Maine
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $81,350 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $94,043 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $110,893 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Maine metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 10 Cities in Maine
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bangor | $98,928 |
| 2 | Scarborough | $97,622 |
| 3 | Biddeford | $96,807 |
| 4 | Augusta | $96,484 |
| 5 | Sanford | $95,584 |
| 6 | Brunswick | $94,683 |
| 7 | Portland | $93,168 |
| 8 | South Portland | $92,769 |
| 9 | Lewiston | $90,430 |
| 10 | Auburn | $90,404 |
More Maine Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced registered nurses.
Explore More Registered Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
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How does Maine registered nurse pay compare to the national average?
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Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 registered nurse compensation across Maine. State averages are employment-weighted across 10 metro areas — larger metro areas with more registered nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov