Average RN Salary in Maine: See How Much ME Nurses Make

There are several benefits to working as a registered nurse (RN) in Maine, including the lower-than-average cost of living, beautiful coastlines, low crime rates, and the comforts of country life. In addition, in-state and out-of-state tuition cost less in Maine than in other New England states. Explore some of the best nursing schools in Maine on our top Maine nursing school page.

This guide outlines RN salaries in Maine and the average annual salary for other healthcare professionals. You can use this information as you negotiate your salary.

Source:BLS, Projections Central

The average annual RN salary in Maine is $73,630, with an hourly rate of $35.40. Bordering states report an average yearly salary of $78,270 in New Hampshire and $75,160 in Vermont. While the salary in Maine is slightly lower, the cost of living makes up the difference.

The large range of RN salaries in Maine spans the urban to rural areas. The lowest 10th percentile of Maine RNs earns an annual $59,640, compared to the highest salary in the 90th percentile at $98,780.

Several factors influence the salary range of RNs in Maine. These include geographical location, education, certifications, and job responsibilities.

Nurses are in demand across the country, and Maine is no exception. The state attracts nurses who enjoy the benefits of working in rural areas and developing long-lasting relationships with a community of patients. To learn more about how to become an RN, visit our overview RN career page.

Source:BLS

When you evaluate RN salaries in Maine, consider the cost-of-living index. This helps you compare living expenses across geographical areas.

The average cost-of-living index in the U.S. is 100. Average expenses considered include food, transportation, housing, clothing, and healthcare. Maine’s cost-of-living index is 96.8, or 3.2% lower than the U.S. average. Maine hosts a population of over 1.3 million, with a median income of $53,230, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Maine’s cost of living is far lower than that of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, all ranking at least 10% higher than the U.S. average.

The three highest-paying areas in Maine include Bangor, Portland, and Lewiston. These are the three largest urban areas in Maine, hosting a combined population of just over 134,500 people.

Portland and Brunswick are home to the two hospitals in Maine with Magnet status, recognition of a hospital’s achievement in nursing excellence. Portland, Maine, is the birthplace of author Stephen King, poet Henry Wadsworth, and actor Judd Nelson.

The coast of Maine includes more than 60 lighthouses within a 20-minute drive of Portland, where the average summer temperature stays around 70 degrees in the summer and 20 degrees in the winter.

Source:BLS

Other healthcare roles impacting patient care and outcomes include nursing assistants, licensed practical nurses/licensed vocational nurses (LPN/LVNs), nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives.

If you are unsure if becoming an RN is the right path, you can start your career in Maine as a nursing assistant or LPN/LVN, earning $34,360 and $50,790, respectively.

Nurses with a master of science in nursing or a doctor of nursing practice can earn a higher income. For example, the average annual nurse anesthetist salary reaches $209,050.

Source:BLS