How Much Does a CNA Make in Maine in 2026?
Typical pay for CNAs in Maine, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · Maine · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical CNA in Maine earns about $22.63 per hour ($47,070 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That puts Maine about 11% above the national figure of $42,260 a year, and the state ranks 9th out of 51 for CNA pay.
Roughly 8,540 nursing assistants work across Maine, a modest-sized workforce that still supports hospitals, nursing homes, and home care agencies statewide.
How much does a CNA make in Maine?
CNA pay by career stage in Maine
| Career stage | Maine | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $39,100$18.80 an hour | $33,940$16.32 an hour |
| First years | $44,200$21.25 an hour | $37,260$17.91 an hour |
| Typical CNA | $47,070$22.63 an hour | $42,260$20.32 an hour |
| Experienced | $50,190$24.13 an hour | $47,220$22.70 an hour |
| Top 10% | $58,120$27.94 an hour | $51,980$24.99 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · starting out is the 10th percentile, first years the 25th, typical the median, experienced the 75th, top 10% the 90th
CNA pay growth in Maine
Typical (median) annual wage for CNAs in Maine · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
CNA pay in Maine has climbed sharply over the past decade. In 2015, the typical CNA earned $24,460 a year; by 2025, that figure had risen to $47,070, a 92% increase. Nationally, CNA pay rose about 64% over the same stretch, so Maine's gain outpaced the country as a whole. For someone starting out now, that trend shows pay has been moving up in Maine, though nothing about future pay is guaranteed.
CNA salary by city in Maine
Pay varies modestly by metro area within Maine. CNAs in the Lewiston-Auburn area earn the most, with a typical salary of $48,570 a year ($23.35 an hour). Portland and South Portland follow closely at $48,180, while Bangor comes in lowest among the state's tracked metros at $46,970. That's a spread of just $1,600 between the highest- and lowest-paying areas.
These figures reflect each city's full metro area. As in most states, pay tends to track local living costs, so the modest difference between Maine's cities is not surprising.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Maine | CNAs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lewiston metro incl. Auburn | $48,570 | $23.35 | +3% | 690 |
| 2 | Portland metro incl. South Portland | $48,180 | $23.17 | +2% | 3,380 |
| 3 | Bangor | $46,970 | $22.58 | 0% | 1,110 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · Maine typical pay $47,070
How Maine compares with nearby states
Just across the border, New Hampshire pays CNAs a typical $47,870 a year, about 2% more than Maine. The difference is small enough that it likely reflects local cost-of-living rather than anything else. A CNA licensed in Maine can often test or transfer into a nearby state, so knowing regional pay is useful when weighing options close to home.
| State | Typical pay | Vs Maine |
|---|---|---|
| Maine | $47,070 | baseline |
| New Hampshire | $47,870 | +2% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical CNA pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is Maine a good state for CNAs?
CNAs in Maine earn a strong wage by national standards: typical pay is $47,070 a year, 11% above the national figure and the 9th highest of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in Maine, about 13 are CNA positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 9.3. That makes the local economy more reliant on CNAs than most places, and turnover keeps positions opening through the year. Taken together, Maine is one of the better-paying states for CNAs.
Summary
CNA pay in Maine now stands at about $47,070 a year, up 92% over the past decade. For specifics on becoming certified, the Maine state registry page covers licensing and renewal requirements, and the city pages for Lewiston, Portland, and Bangor break down local pay in more detail.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNA make in Maine?
- A typical CNA in Maine earns about **$22.63 an hour**, or **$47,070 a year**, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That's above the national figure of $42,260 a year, and pay can run higher or lower depending on the city and employer.
- How much does a CNA make an hour in Maine?
- CNAs in Maine typically earn **$22.63 an hour**. Entry-level positions typically offer around $18.80 an hour, while experienced CNAs often earn upwards of $27.94 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a CNA in Maine?
- Entry-level CNAs in Maine typically start around **$18.80 an hour**, or about $39,100 a year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). As CNAs gain a bit of experience, pay climbs toward roughly $21.25 an hour, or about $44,200 a year.
- Which city in Maine pays CNAs the most?
- The Lewiston-Auburn area pays CNAs the most in Maine, with a typical salary of **$48,570** a year ($23.35 an hour). Portland and South Portland follow closely at $48,180 a year, while Bangor is the lowest among the state's tracked metros at $46,970.
- Is CNA pay in Maine higher than the national rate?
- Yes. A typical CNA in Maine earns **$47,070** a year, about 11% more than the national figure of $42,260, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Maine ranks 9th out of 51 states for CNA pay.