Dishwasher Salary in Portland, ME
Dishwashers in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area earn a median $36,440 a year — 5% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,138 take-home, or $2,511 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median dishwasher salary in Portland, ME. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,193
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,259
- Medicare (1.45%)$528
- Maine income tax$1,322
- Take-home pay$30,138
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.80% state
Dishwasher pay by experience in Portland, ME
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,690 | $15.24 | $26,597 | $2,216 |
| 25th percentile | $34,260 | $16.47 | $28,513 | $2,376 |
| Median (50th) | $36,440 | $17.52 | $30,138 | $2,511 |
| 75th percentile | $40,170 | $19.31 | $32,918 | $2,743 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,760 | $21.52 | $36,305 | $3,025 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Maine resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,440 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 dishwasher's $30,138 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,588 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 1.7× the national concentration of dishwasher jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for dishwashers, adjusted for cost of living
Portland, ME ranks #24 of 156 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kahului, HI | $45,930 | $37,094 | $33,909 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $42,750 | $36,530 | $32,870 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $43,960 | $36,183 | $32,767 |
| 4 | Kansas City, MO | $34,800 | $29,444 | $31,816 |
| 5 | Atlantic City, NJ | $37,110 | $31,417 | $31,780 |
| 6 | Spokane, WA | $36,330 | $31,371 | $31,263 |
| 7 | Omaha, NE | $33,810 | $28,688 | $31,212 |
| 8 | Austin, TX | $35,360 | $30,592 | $31,195 |
| 24 | Portland, ME | $36,440 | $30,138 | $29,588 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 156 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dishwasher make in Portland, ME?
The median dishwasher salary in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area is $36,440 a year, or about $17.52 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $34,260 and $40,170.
What is a dishwasher’s take-home pay in Portland, ME?
On the median $36,440 salary, a single filer living in Maine takes home about $30,138 a year ($2,511 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,322 in Maine taxes in 2026.
Is Portland, ME a good place to work as a dishwasher?
Pay here is 5% above the national median of $34,810. Local prices are 1.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,588 would in a typical U.S. city. Portland, ME ranks #24 of 156 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a dishwasher 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 dishwasher’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Portland, ME
- Chef and Head Cook — $57,380
- Bartender — $54,170
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $49,880
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $47,000
- Cooks, Restaurant — $46,560
- Waiter and Waitress — $44,070
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $39,170
- Food Preparation Worker — $37,260
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $37,100
- Cooks, Fast Food — $36,310
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $35,300