How Much Does an RN Make in Maine in 2026?

A typical registered nurse in Maine earns $41.82 an hour, or $86,990 a year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Calculated from that annual figure, pay works out to about $7,249 a month and $1,673 a week. These figures reflect the midpoint for RNs across the state, spanning hospitals, clinics, schools, and other care settings. Where a nurse works and how long they've practiced both shift the number up or down.

That typical pay sits 11% below the national figure of $97,550, and Maine ranks 29th among the 51 states and jurisdictions tracked in the data. Lower pay in Maine tends to track a lower cost of living compared with pricier coastal states. Statewide, 16,540 RNs work in the profession, giving a sense of the workforce behind that typical figure.

Entry-level positions for RNs in Maine typically offer around $35.65 an hour, or about $74,160 a year. That's the starting point for nurses new to the field or new to Maine. Pay tends to move toward the statewide typical figure of $86,990 within the first several years of practice. Additional certifications, specialty units, and shift differentials can speed that climb.

Experienced RNs in Maine often earn upwards of $48.78 an hour, or around $101,460 a year, and the top 10% of earners make over $51.42 an hour, or about $106,950 a year. That leaves a spread of $32,790 between entry-level and top-tier pay. Setting, years of experience, and city of employment tend to separate the two groups, with specialty hospital units and larger metro areas often paying at the higher end.

Maine's typical RN pay has climbed from $62,840 in 2015 to $86,990 in 2025, a gain of $24,150 over the decade. That works out to a rise of 38%, according to the latest government wage data. The climb was fairly steady year over year, aside from a small dip in 2016. Pay has moved up consistently since then, with the largest single-year jump coming between 2020 and 2021.

Nationally, typical RN pay rose 45% over the same decade, a somewhat faster pace than Maine's climb. Pay for RNs in Maine has moved up steadily either way, and someone starting a nursing career now enters at a higher typical figure than nurses did ten years ago. That trend reflects what has already happened, not a promise of future increases.

Pay runs highest in Bangor, where RNs typically earn $93,940 a year ($45.16 an hour), about 8% above the statewide figure. Portland and South Portland follow, with typical pay of $88,470 a year ($42.53 an hour) in the metro area anchored by the state's largest city. These figures reflect pay across each full metro area, not just the city itself. Both areas post pay above the statewide figure.

Auburn and Lewiston sit at the lower end, with typical RN pay of $85,870 a year ($41.29 an hour), a spread of $8,070 between the highest- and lowest-paying areas listed. Portland carries the largest RN workforce in the state, with 6,970 nurses employed in that metro area. The gap between cities is modest and generally tracks differences in cost of living rather than anything else.

Just across the border, New Hampshire pays RNs a typical $99,700 a year, about 15% more than Maine's figure. That gap is among the larger differences nurses in the region will find between neighboring states. Nursing licenses can often be transferred or endorsed between neighboring states, which makes it practical for a nurse to compare pay just across a nearby border before deciding where to work.

Registered nurses in Maine typically earn $86,990 a year, a figure that has climbed 38% over the past decade. Nurses considering Maine can check the state's nursing board or licensing registry for requirements, and review city-level pages for local pay figures in Bangor, Portland, or elsewhere in the state. Those resources offer the most current details for anyone planning a move or a career start in Maine.