Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Maine: $77,312 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maine's 10 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $77,312/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because Maine sits at BEA RPP 99.6 (0% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $77,622 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Portland ($75,950), South Portland ($75,625), Bangor ($72,370).
In 2026, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Maine can expect an average median salary of $77,312, which is 13.6% higher than the national median of $68,071. The salary variation across cities is notable, with Portland offering the highest average salary at $80,279, while Brunswick has the lowest at $62,738, resulting in a salary gap of $17,541. This difference can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for healthcare professionals, and the concentration of medical facilities in urban areas. Maine requires LPNs to obtain state licensing after completing an approved practical nursing program, and they must adhere to specific scope of practice laws that guide their responsibilities in patient care. The demand for LPNs in Maine is driven by an aging population and an increasing need for healthcare services, which is reflected in the projected annual growth rate of 5.70% for the profession. With a total employed count of 485 LPNs, the outlook for job opportunities remains promising, especially in cities like South Portland and Bangor with salaries of $79,936 and $76,495 respectively. As demand continues to rise, pursuing a career as an LPN in Maine presents a sound choice for those entering the field.
Maine Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maine: $50,938 (lowest entry-level) to $101,869 (highest top earner)
Maine vs National Average
Maine licensed practical nurses earn 13.58% more than the national median (+$9,241/year difference).
Maine Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in Maine range from $64,708 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $85,791 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $77,312. The Maine median is $9,241 above the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $37.17/hr. Approximately 485 licensed practical nurses are employed across 10 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$47,346
2025 BLS Actual
$73,143
2026 Current Est.
$77,312
2019–2027 Growth
+72.6%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Maine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,346 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,328 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,258 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,566 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,470 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,389 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,143 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,312 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,719 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maine metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 54.5% from $47,346 (2019) to $73,143 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,719 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,373 (72.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maine 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Maine
Lowest Paying Cities in Maine
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Brunswick | $62,738 |
| Sanford | $63,335 |
| Augusta | $63,932 |
| Biddeford | $64,146 |
| Scarborough | $64,686 |
Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in Maine
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maine cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Portland | $79,936 | 99.6 | $80,257 |
| Bangor | $76,495 | 96.508 | $79,263 |
| Portland | $80,279 | 101.858 | $78,815 |
| Lewiston | $69,899 | 94.736 | $73,783 |
| Auburn | $69,879 | 99.6 | $70,160 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Maine
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $64,708 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $77,312 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $85,791 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Maine metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 10 Cities in Maine
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portland | $80,279 |
| 2 | South Portland | $79,936 |
| 3 | Bangor | $76,495 |
| 4 | Lewiston | $69,899 |
| 5 | Auburn | $69,879 |
| 6 | Scarborough | $64,686 |
| 7 | Biddeford | $64,146 |
| 8 | Augusta | $63,932 |
| 9 | Sanford | $63,335 |
| 10 | Brunswick | $62,738 |
More Maine Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Maine cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Maine in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in Maine?
How does Maine licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in Maine?
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in Maine?
Which Maine city offers the best value for licensed practical nurses?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 licensed practical nurse compensation across Maine. State averages are employment-weighted across 10 metro areas — larger metro areas with more licensed practical nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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