Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Maine: $51,049 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maine's 10 metropolitan areas, the average median certified nursing assistant pay sits at $51,049/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-1131. Because Maine sits at BEA RPP 99.6 (0% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $51,254 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Lewiston ($48,570), Auburn ($48,556), Portland ($48,180).
In 2026, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in Maine are projected to earn an average median salary of $51,049, which is 13.4% higher than the national median of $45,007. This favorable salary outlook reflects the strong demand for CNAs across the state. The highest paying city is Lewiston, where CNAs can expect to make $51,727, while the lowest is Brunswick, with a salary of $41,482, highlighting a difference of $10,245. This gap is influenced by factors such as cost of living, local healthcare facility demand, and regional workforce supply dynamics. Maine has specific state licensing requirements and defined scope of practice laws that can impact employment opportunities and salary levels for CNAs. The state is experiencing a steady growth rate of 6.50% in the job market for CNAs, indicating continued demand for these essential healthcare workers. Other top cities for CNAs in 2026 include Auburn at $51,712, Portland at $51,312, South Portland at $51,092, and Bangor at $50,023. With over 5,215 CNAs employed statewide, Maine's job outlook remains strong, driven by an aging population and increasing healthcare needs.
Maine Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maine: $35,067 (lowest entry-level) to $64,145 (highest top earner)
Maine vs National Average
Maine certified nursing assistants earn 13.42% more than the national median (+$6,042/year difference).
Maine Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Certified Nursing Assistant salaries in Maine range from $43,417 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $63,063 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $51,049. The Maine median is $6,042 above the US national median of $45,007. The average hourly rate is $24.55/hr. Approximately 5,215 certified nursing assistants are employed across 10 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$31,969
2025 BLS Actual
$47,933
2026 Current Est.
$51,049
2019–2027 Growth
+70.1%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Maine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,969 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,367 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,778 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,874 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,172 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,933 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,049 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,367 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maine metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 49.9% from $31,969 (2019) to $47,933 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,367 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,398 (70.06%) 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 6.50% 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 | $41,482 |
| Sanford | $41,876 |
| Augusta | $42,271 |
| Biddeford | $42,413 |
| Scarborough | $42,769 |
Best Value Cities for Certified Nursing Assistants in Maine
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maine cities offer the most purchasing power for certified nursing assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewiston | $51,727 | 94.736 | $54,601 |
| Auburn | $51,712 | 99.6 | $51,920 |
| Bangor | $50,023 | 96.508 | $51,833 |
| South Portland | $51,092 | 99.6 | $51,297 |
| Portland | $51,312 | 101.858 | $50,376 |
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) | $43,417 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $51,049 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $63,063 |
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 | Lewiston | $51,727 |
| 2 | Auburn | $51,712 |
| 3 | Portland | $51,312 |
| 4 | South Portland | $51,092 |
| 5 | Bangor | $50,023 |
| 6 | Scarborough | $42,769 |
| 7 | Biddeford | $42,413 |
| 8 | Augusta | $42,271 |
| 9 | Sanford | $41,876 |
| 10 | Brunswick | $41,482 |
More Maine Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore certified nursing assistant hourly pay in Maine cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced certified nursing assistants.
Explore More Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
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How does Maine certified nursing assistant pay compare to the national average?
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Written by Emily Chen, BSN, RN
Career Analyst
Emily has over 10 years of experience in nursing. She focuses on workforce trends in nursing. Emily has worked in various healthcare settings, including hospitals and long-term care facilities.
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 6.50% 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 certified nursing assistant compensation across Maine. State averages are employment-weighted across 10 metro areas — larger metro areas with more certified nursing assistantscontribute 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 6.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for certified nursing assistants (SOC 31-1131).
Compiled and verified by Emily Chen, BSN, RN, a licensed certified nursing assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov