Accountant Salary in Portland, ME: $81,873 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Portland, ME earns a median $81,873/year (≈ $39.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Portland's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.9), that paycheck buys what $80,380 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Maine state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Accountants in Portland, Maine, can expect a median annual salary of $81,873 in 2026, positioning them slightly below the national median of $85,864. This amount reflects a salary range from $61,997 at the lower end (P10) to $131,833 at the higher end (P90), providing a significant earning potential based on experience and qualifications. Notably, obtaining a CPA license can lead to considerable salary increases, especially for those transitioning from staff to senior roles. Rising demand for accountants, paired with the competitive landscape in Portland, indicates a strong job market and opportunities for growth in various sectors.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,997 | $29.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,297 | $32.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,873 | $39.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,903 | $49.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131,833 | $63.38 |
Median Salary Position
4.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portland
In Portland, ME, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,836 (2026 est.). At $81,873, the local median is 4.65% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portland Accountant Pay Compares
Portland median: $81,873/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $85,551 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -4.65% less |
Accountants in Portland, ME earn a median of $81,873 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.65% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 4.30% below the Maine state average of $85,551.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portland has a cost of living 1.86% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portland, ME has a cost-of-living index of 101.858 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,873 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $80,380 — a 1.82% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,420
2025 BLS Actual
$79,790
2026 Current Est.
$81,873
2019–2027 Growth
+19.3%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,570 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,250 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,060 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,790 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,873 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,009 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portland metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 13.3% from $70,420 (2019) to $79,790 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,009 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,589 (19.30%) from 2019.
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 2.61% 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) | $61,997 – $68,297 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,297 – $81,873 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,873 – $103,903 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,903 – $131,833 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Portland
The accounting profession in Portland employs around 1,780 individuals, a number that underscores the demand for skilled professionals in the area. However, living costs, reflected in a cost of living index of 101.858, slightly above the national average, mean that take-home pay can vary in value. Employers in Portland that offer competitive salaries include the Big 4 public accounting firms, known for their premium pay scales, followed by regional firms and corporate accounting departments. The disparities in salary can often be attributed to factors such as CPA licensure, firm tier, specialty areas like tax or forensic accounting, and partnership pathways. For those looking to maximize their compensation in Portland, pursuing specialization and gaining experience in high-demand areas, such as corporate finance or tax advisory, can prove beneficial. Additionally, maintaining a network within the Big 4 can facilitate transitions from public to private roles, further enhancing earning potential in the long run.
More salary data for Portland, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Sofia Patel, CPA
Career Analyst
Sofia Patel has over 10 years of experience in financial analysis. She specializes in tax preparation for small businesses. She has worked in both corporate and public accounting environments.
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 $79,790 for accountantsin the Portland metropolitan area. A 2.61% 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
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 2.61%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for accountants (SOC 13-2011).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Patel, CPA, a licensed accountant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov