Firefighter Salary in Portland, ME
Firefighters in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area earn a median $49,320 a year — 17% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $39,661 take-home, or $3,305 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median firefighter salary in Portland, ME. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,738
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,058
- Medicare (1.45%)$715
- Maine income tax$2,147
- Take-home pay$39,661
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.75% state
Firefighter pay by experience in Portland, ME
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,100 | $17.84 | $30,630 | $2,552 |
| 25th percentile | $43,700 | $21.01 | $35,525 | $2,960 |
| Median (50th) | $49,320 | $23.71 | $39,661 | $3,305 |
| 75th percentile | $59,020 | $28.38 | $46,800 | $3,900 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,740 | $30.64 | $50,274 | $4,190 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Maine resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $49,320 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 firefighter's $39,661 take-home pay has the buying power of $38,938 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 2.1× the national concentration of firefighter jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for firefighters, adjusted for cost of living
Portland, ME ranks #105 of 133 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $152,100 | $103,333 | $93,580 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $101,090 | $79,947 | $71,938 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $113,700 | $80,995 | $70,057 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $106,420 | $78,458 | $69,701 |
| 5 | Rochester, NY | $89,120 | $67,308 | $69,365 |
| 6 | Spokane, WA | $83,310 | $67,439 | $67,206 |
| 7 | Reno, NV | $81,360 | $66,067 | $65,404 |
| 8 | Sacramento, CA | $94,080 | $69,272 | $64,941 |
| 105 | Portland, ME | $49,320 | $39,661 | $38,938 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 133 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make in Portland, ME?
The median firefighter salary in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area is $49,320 a year, or about $23.71 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $43,700 and $59,020.
What is a firefighter’s take-home pay in Portland, ME?
On the median $49,320 salary, a single filer living in Maine takes home about $39,661 a year ($3,305 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,147 in Maine taxes in 2026.
Is Portland, ME a good place to work as a firefighter?
Pay here is 17% below the national median of $59,280. Local prices are 1.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $38,938 would in a typical U.S. city. Portland, ME ranks #105 of 133 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a firefighter 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) — 47% of a median firefighter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Portland, ME
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $73,600
- Crossing Guard and Flagger — $42,670
- Security Guard — $39,190