Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Portland, ME: $38.59 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Portland, ME runs $38.59 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $80,279 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Portland's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.9, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $37.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,162 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Portland, ME, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay stands at $38.59, significantly higher than the national median of $32.73. This rate reflects the demand for LPNs in various settings, including skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, physician offices, hospice environments, and correctional facilities. For part-time nurses working three days a week, the ability to earn this median hourly rate can translate into a robust income, especially for those taking on per-diem or flexible roles. The hourly pay range in Portland spans from $32.24 at the entry-level to $42.22 for experienced professionals, providing a variety of opportunities for both newly minted and seasoned LPNs. These insights are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.24 | $257.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.86 | $286.91 |
| Median (P50) | $38.59 | $308.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.59 | $324.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.22 | $337.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portland
Based on $38.59/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.59/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portland, ME can expect to earn approximately $80,269 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,309. With a cost-of-living index of 101.86 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Portland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,543.64 | $6,689 | $80,269 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $926.19 | $4,013 | $48,162 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $617.46 | $2,676 | $32,108 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Portland) | $38.59 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Portland, ME earn a median of $80,279 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.93% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 18.40% above the Maine state average of $67,803.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.59/hr = $48,162/year (purchasing power: $47,283).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $80,269/year (purchasing power: $78,805).
CoL index: 101.858 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$24.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.59/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+67.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.31/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.68/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.53/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.59/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.79/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Portland grew 50.2% from $24.31/hr (2019) to $36.51/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.79/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem licensed practical nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portland metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Licensed Practical Nurse in Portland
Analyzing the earning potential for licensed practical nurses in Portland reveals distinct opportunities for part-time and per-diem work. For example, a part-time LPN working a typical schedule of 24 hours weekly can take home an impressive annual salary, reflecting the city's higher hourly rates compared to many areas across the nation. In the per-diem realm, LPNs often find themselves billing anywhere from $28 to $42 an hour, with some agency roles in understaffed facilities offering rates that can soar to $45 or even $60. Hourly rates may vary significantly based on employer type, with skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies frequently offering competitive compensation, although some LPNs may opt for positions with lower pay that include essential benefits like health insurance. For those considering negotiations, highlighting past experience and specialized skills relevant to Portland's diverse healthcare settings can be beneficial in securing better pay.
More salary data for Portland, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Portland in 2026?
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Written by Aisha Malik, LPN
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for licensed practical nurses in Portland. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov