Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in South Portland, ME: $79,936 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in South Portland, ME earns a median $79,936/year (≈ $38.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in South Portland's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.6), that paycheck buys what $80,257 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 17.9% above the Maine state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In South Portland, ME, the projected licensed practical nurse salary in 2026 is $79,936, which reflects a notable increase over the national median of $68,071, positioning local LPNs approximately 17.43% higher than their counterparts nationwide. The salary range for these positions spans from $66,344 at the 10th percentile to $101,869 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse spectrum of income potential tied to factors such as work settings and experience levels. This data, derived from 2025 BLS estimates and adjusted for regional cost considerations, illustrates the financial landscape for LPNs in South Portland as they navigate various employment avenues, particularly within skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and clinics. Understanding these salary dynamics can help prospective nursing professionals strategically align their career choices with areas that offer the most financial benefit.
About the South Portland Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($57,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,344 | $31.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,213 | $35.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,936 | $38.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,150 | $45.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,869 | $48.97 |
Median Salary Position
17.43% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Portland
In South Portland, ME, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,525 (2026 est.). At $79,936, the local median is 17.43% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in South Portland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How South Portland Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
South Portland median: $79,936/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $67,800 | +17.90% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +17.43% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in South Portland, ME earn a median of $79,936 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.43% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 17.90% above the Maine state average of $67,800.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
South Portland has a cost of living 0.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
South Portland, ME has a cost-of-living index of 99.6 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $79,936 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $80,257 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.4% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,756
2025 BLS Actual
$75,625
2026 Current Est.
$79,936
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in South Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,756 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,329 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,449 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,140 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,141 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,833 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,625 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,936 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,492 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Portland metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $55,756 (2019) to $75,625 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,492 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,736 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $66,344 – $74,213 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,213 – $79,936 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,936 – $94,150 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,150 – $101,869 |
LPN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual licensed practical nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Licensed Practical Nurse Job Market in South Portland
It’s worth highlighting that the job market for licensed practical nurses in South Portland is relatively small, with only four employed LPNs reported in the area. However, the area's cost-of-living index stands at 99.6, which is slightly below the national average, potentially enhancing purchasing power for local LPNs. Among various employers, skilled nursing facilities often offer the highest compensation, driven by factors such as increased demand for long-term care services, rather than home health agencies or physician offices. The disparity in wages within the field can be influenced by additional factors such as shift differentials, weekend and holiday pay premiums, and specialized certifications like IV therapy. For those looking to maximize their licensed practical nurse pay in South Portland, seeking roles in higher-paying settings and considering certifications that expand their scope of practice are effective strategies.
More salary data for South Portland, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in South Portland?
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Related Pages
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $75,625 for licensed practical nursesin the South Portland metropolitan area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for South Portland is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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