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Registered Nurse 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.

Registered Nurse Salary in Portland — Key Numbers

$102,423
Median Salary
$81,979
25th Percentile
$128,151
75th Percentile
$157,889
90th Percentile
National median (Registered Nurse)$86,070
vs. National median+19.0%
Portland median household income$72,600
vs. City household income+41.1%

Cost of Living in Portland

Cost of Living Index
119(100 = avg)
Median Monthly Rent$1,850/mo
Rent-to-Income Ratio21.7%
Annual rent cost$22,200
Median Home Price$480,000
Home Price / Salary4.7×
20% Down Payment$96,000
Years to save (20% rate)4.7 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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Registered Nurse 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 Registered Nurse make in Portland, ME?

The estimated median salary for a Registered Nurse in Portland is $102,423 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $86,070 adjusted by Portland's cost of living index (119). The typical salary range runs from $81,979 (25th percentile) to $128,151 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $157,889.

Is Portland affordable for a Registered Nurse?

On a $102,423 annual salary, a Registered Nurse in Portland would spend approximately 21.7% of gross monthly income on median rent ($1,850/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Portland relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $480,000 is 4.7× the annual salary.

How does a Registered Nurse's salary compare to Portland's overall income?

Portland's median household income is $72,600. A Registered Nurse earning the city-adjusted median of $102,423 earns 41.1% more than the typical Portland household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.

Explore More Salary Data

Registered Nurse — NationalRegistered Nurse 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.