Registered Nurse Salary in Portland, ME
Registered Nurses in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area earn a median $88,470 a year — 9% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $66,239 take-home, or $5,520 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median registered nurse salary in Portland, ME. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$10,633
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,485
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,283
- Maine income tax$4,830
- Take-home pay$66,239
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 7.15% state
Registered Nurse pay by experience in Portland, ME
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,430 | $37.71 | $59,893 | $4,991 |
| 25th percentile | $82,910 | $39.86 | $62,725 | $5,227 |
| Median (50th) | $88,470 | $42.53 | $66,239 | $5,520 |
| 75th percentile | $103,900 | $49.95 | $75,990 | $6,333 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,040 | $50.98 | $77,343 | $6,445 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Maine resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $88,470 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 registered nurse's $66,239 take-home pay has the buying power of $65,030 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Registered Nurse jobs are about as common in Portland, ME as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.11).
Best-paying cities for registered nurses, adjusted for cost of living
Portland, ME ranks #357 of 370 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $216,740 | $142,511 | $129,059 |
| 2 | Vallejo, CA | $203,290 | $134,031 | $123,555 |
| 3 | Santa Rosa, CA | $174,550 | $116,298 | $107,899 |
| 4 | Sacramento, CA | $171,460 | $114,514 | $107,353 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $186,610 | $123,394 | $106,730 |
| 6 | Santa Cruz, CA | $170,960 | $114,225 | $103,939 |
| 7 | Yuba City, CA | $149,320 | $101,728 | $97,597 |
| 8 | Olympia, WA | $125,020 | $96,717 | $93,293 |
| 357 | Portland, ME | $88,470 | $66,239 | $65,030 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 370 metros →
Registered Nurse salaries elsewhere in Maine
- Bangor, ME — $93,940
- Lewiston, ME — $85,870
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Portland, ME?
The median registered nurse salary in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area is $88,470 a year, or about $42.53 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $82,910 and $103,900.
What is a registered nurse’s take-home pay in Portland, ME?
On the median $88,470 salary, a single filer living in Maine takes home about $66,239 a year ($5,520 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,830 in Maine taxes in 2026.
Is Portland, ME a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Pay here is 9% below the national median of $97,550. Local prices are 1.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $65,030 would in a typical U.S. city. Portland, ME ranks #357 of 370 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a registered nurse 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) — 28% of a median registered nurse’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Portland, ME
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Pharmacist — $140,620
- Physician Assistant — $131,180
- Nurse Practitioner — $130,240
- Physical Therapist — $102,820
- Dental Hygienist — $98,880
- Occupational Therapist — $86,530
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $68,690
- Medical Records Specialist — $57,060
- Veterinary Technologist and Technician — $50,890
- Pharmacy Technician — $46,630