Cashier Salary in Portland, ME
Cashiers in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area earn a median $36,210 a year — 10% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,966 take-home, or $2,497 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cashier salary in Portland, ME. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,165
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,245
- Medicare (1.45%)$525
- Maine income tax$1,308
- Take-home pay$29,966
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.80% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Cashier pay by experience in Portland, ME
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,120 | $14.96 | $26,172 | $2,181 |
| 25th percentile | $34,150 | $16.42 | $28,431 | $2,369 |
| Median (50th) | $36,210 | $17.41 | $29,966 | $2,497 |
| 75th percentile | $37,960 | $18.25 | $31,271 | $2,606 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $41,050 | $19.74 | $33,574 | $2,798 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Maine resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,210 buys in Portland, ME
Prices in Portland, ME are 1.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.05× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cashier's $29,966 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,420 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Cashier jobs are about as common in Portland, ME as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.98).
Best-paying cities for cashiers, adjusted for cost of living
Portland, ME ranks #30 of 202 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $44,210 | $37,703 | $33,926 |
| 2 | Rochester, MN | $34,960 | $29,219 | $32,172 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $42,960 | $35,432 | $32,088 |
| 4 | Fargo, ND | $33,420 | $29,033 | $31,950 |
| 5 | Kennewick, WA | $36,610 | $31,596 | $31,571 |
| 6 | Duluth, MN | $33,020 | $27,764 | $31,277 |
| 7 | Spokane, WA | $36,290 | $31,339 | $31,231 |
| 8 | St. Cloud, MN | $32,480 | $27,359 | $31,220 |
| 30 | Portland, ME | $36,210 | $29,966 | $29,420 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 202 metros →
About the job: cashiers
Receive and disburse money in establishments other than financial institutions. May use electronic scanners, cash registers, or related equipment. May process credit or debit card transactions and validate checks.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -6.5% (declining)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cashier make in Portland, ME?
The median cashier salary in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area is $36,210 a year, or about $17.41 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $34,150 and $37,960.
What is a cashier’s take-home pay in Portland, ME?
On the median $36,210 salary, a single filer living in Maine takes home about $29,966 a year ($2,497 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,308 in Maine taxes in 2026.
Is Portland, ME a good place to work as a cashier?
Pay here is 10% above the national median of $32,880. Local prices are 1.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,420 would in a typical U.S. city. Portland, ME ranks #30 of 202 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cashier afford rent in Portland, ME?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Portland, ME is $1,548 a month ($1,968 for two bedrooms) — 62% of a median cashier’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Portland, ME
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $55,550
- Retail Salesperson — $37,320