Elementary School Teacher Salary in Maine: $71,193 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maine's 10 metropolitan areas, the average median elementary school teacher pay sits at $71,193/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 25-2021. Because Maine sits at BEA RPP 99.6 (0% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $71,479 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Portland ($76,770), South Portland ($76,441), Scarborough ($60,790).
In 2026, the average median salary for elementary school teachers in Maine is projected to be $71,193, which is 10.2% higher than the national median of $64,597. The salary range among cities shows a significant difference, with the highest-paying city, Portland, offering $77,522, while the lowest, Brunswick, provides $59,537. This gap of $17,985 can be attributed to cost of living, local funding for education, and demand for teachers in different regions. In Maine, teachers must meet state licensing requirements, which include completing a degree in education and passing relevant examinations. The scope of practice is defined by state law, emphasizing the need for qualified individuals in the classroom. Demand for teachers is driven by a growing student population and increasing emphasis on quality education. The job market for elementary school teachers in Maine is stable, with a projected growth rate of 0.98% annually. As of 2026, there are 4,475 elementary school teachers employed statewide, reflecting a need for educators across various districts. Cities such as South Portland and Scarborough follow Portland's lead in offering competitive salaries, projected at $77,190 and $61,386 respectively, enhancing the options for aspiring teachers in Maine.
Maine Elementary School Teacher Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maine: $44,260 (lowest entry-level) to $119,645 (highest top earner)
Maine vs National Average
Maine elementary school teachers earn 10.21% more than the national median (+$6,596/year difference).
Maine Elementary School Teacher Salary Distribution (2026)
Elementary School Teacher salaries in Maine range from $47,888 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $91,507 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $71,193. The Maine median is $6,596 above the US national median of $64,597. The average hourly rate is $34.23/hr. Approximately 4,475 elementary school teachers are employed across 10 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$55,512
2025 BLS Actual
$70,502
2026 Current Est.
$71,193
2019–2027 Growth
+29.5%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Maine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,512 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,416 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,075 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,923 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,227 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,828 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,502 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,193 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,891 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maine metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 27.0% from $55,512 (2019) to $70,502 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,891 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,379 (29.51%) 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 0.98% 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
Best Value Cities for Elementary School Teachers in Maine
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maine cities offer the most purchasing power for elementary school teachers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Portland | $77,190 | 99.6 | $77,500 |
| Portland | $77,522 | 101.858 | $76,108 |
| Lewiston | $59,689 | 94.736 | $63,006 |
| Bangor | $60,669 | 96.508 | $62,864 |
| Scarborough | $61,386 | 99.6 | $61,633 |
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) | $47,888 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $71,193 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $91,507 |
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 | $77,522 |
| 2 | South Portland | $77,190 |
| 3 | Scarborough | $61,386 |
| 4 | Biddeford | $60,873 |
| 5 | Bangor | $60,669 |
| 6 | Augusta | $60,669 |
| 7 | Sanford | $60,103 |
| 8 | Lewiston | $59,689 |
| 9 | Auburn | $59,672 |
| 10 | Brunswick | $59,537 |
More Maine Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore elementary school teacher hourly pay in Maine cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new elementary school teachers.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced elementary school teachers.
Explore More Elementary School Teacher Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
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How does Maine elementary school teacher pay compare to the national average?
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Written by Jordan Lee, M.Ed.
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in elementary education. They focus on curriculum development and teaching methodologies. Their experience includes working in public schools.
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 0.98% 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 elementary school teacher compensation across Maine. State averages are employment-weighted across 10 metro areas — larger metro areas with more elementary school teacherscontribute 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 0.98%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for elementary school teachers (SOC 25-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, M.Ed., a licensed elementary school teacher with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov