Childcare Worker Salary in Portland, ME
Childcare Workers in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area earn a median $36,620 a year — 5% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,272 take-home, or $2,523 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median childcare worker salary in Portland, ME. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,214
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,270
- Medicare (1.45%)$531
- Maine income tax$1,332
- Take-home pay$30,272
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.80% state
Childcare Worker pay by experience in Portland, ME
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,140 | $15.45 | $26,932 | $2,244 |
| 25th percentile | $36,050 | $17.33 | $29,847 | $2,487 |
| Median (50th) | $36,620 | $17.61 | $30,272 | $2,523 |
| 75th percentile | $37,750 | $18.15 | $31,114 | $2,593 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,000 | $22.12 | $37,218 | $3,101 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Maine resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,620 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 childcare worker's $30,272 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,720 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Portland, ME has 2.6× the national concentration of childcare worker jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for childcare workers, adjusted for cost of living
Portland, ME ranks #57 of 171 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Port, FL | $47,300 | $40,186 | $39,237 |
| 2 | Denver, CO | $44,320 | $36,549 | $34,552 |
| 3 | Boulder, CO | $43,380 | $35,836 | $34,064 |
| 4 | San Jose, CA | $45,720 | $37,504 | $33,964 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $43,710 | $37,301 | $33,564 |
| 6 | Modesto, CA | $41,920 | $34,652 | $33,284 |
| 7 | St. Cloud, MN | $34,030 | $28,521 | $32,546 |
| 8 | Las Cruces, NM | $34,270 | $29,210 | $32,379 |
| 57 | Portland, ME | $36,620 | $30,272 | $29,720 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 171 metros →
Childcare Worker salaries elsewhere in Maine
- Lewiston, ME — $34,570
- Bangor, ME — $34,820
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in Portland, ME?
The median childcare worker salary in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area is $36,620 a year, or about $17.61 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,050 and $37,750.
What is a childcare worker’s take-home pay in Portland, ME?
On the median $36,620 salary, a single filer living in Maine takes home about $30,272 a year ($2,523 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,332 in Maine taxes in 2026.
Is Portland, ME a good place to work as a childcare worker?
Pay here is 5% above the national median of $34,980. Local prices are 1.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,720 would in a typical U.S. city. Portland, ME ranks #57 of 171 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a childcare worker 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) — 61% of a median childcare worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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