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High School Teacher Salary in Portland, ME — 2026 Guide

Estimated salaries are adjusted for Portland's cost of living (index: 119). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.

High School Teacher Salary in Portland — Key Numbers

$75,041
Median Salary
$58,608
25th Percentile
$96,176
75th Percentile
$119,655
90th Percentile
National median (High School Teacher)$63,060
vs. National median+19.0%
Portland median household income$72,600
vs. City household income+3.4%

Cost of Living in Portland

Cost of Living Index
119(100 = avg)
Median Monthly Rent$1,850/mo
Rent-to-Income Ratio29.6%
Annual rent cost$22,200
Median Home Price$480,000
Home Price / Salary6.4×
20% Down Payment$96,000
Years to save (20% rate)6.4 yrs

Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.

Job Market in Portland

3.0%
Unemployment Rate
550,000
Metro Population
22 min
Avg Commute
40.4
Median Age

Portland has a metro population of 550,000, offering a sizeable job market with strong opportunities across key sectors. The 3.0% unemployment rate is below the national average, suggesting a tight labor market favorable to job seekers.

Financial Calculators for Portland

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Cost of Living — Portland
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High School Teacher Salary in Maine
Statewide salary breakdown

Other Professions in Portland

Physician$272,867Chief Executive Officer$249,900Dentist$208,857IT Manager$201,717Marketing Manager$187,568Lawyer$173,454

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a High School Teacher make in Portland, ME?

The estimated median salary for a High School Teacher in Portland is $75,041 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $63,060 adjusted by Portland's cost of living index (119). The typical salary range runs from $58,608 (25th percentile) to $96,176 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $119,655.

Is Portland affordable for a High School Teacher?

On a $75,041 annual salary, a High School Teacher in Portland would spend approximately 29.6% of gross monthly income on median rent ($1,850/month). This is approaching the 30–35% cost-burden threshold; careful budgeting is recommended. The median home price of $480,000 is 6.4× the annual salary.

How does a High School Teacher's salary compare to Portland's overall income?

Portland's median household income is $72,600. A High School Teacher earning the city-adjusted median of $75,041 earns 3.4% more than the typical Portland household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.

Explore More Salary Data

High School Teacher — NationalHigh School Teacher in MaineAll Salary Guides

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.