Paralegal Salary in Maine: $64,985 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maine's 10 metropolitan areas, the average median paralegal pay sits at $64,985/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 23-2011. Because Maine sits at BEA RPP 99.6 (0% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $65,246 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Portland ($64,280), South Portland ($64,005), Scarborough ($59,763).
In 2026, the average median salary for paralegals in Maine is projected to be $64,985, which is slightly below the national median of $65,097, reflecting a difference of only -0.2%. The highest paying city in the state is Portland, where paralegals can expect to earn $66,536, while Brunswick offers the lowest salary at $59,999, creating a salary gap of $6,537 between these locations. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for legal services, and the concentration of law firms in urban areas. Maine has specific licensing requirements and limited scope of practice laws that may affect career advancement and salary prospects. The demand for paralegals is driven by ongoing legal work in various sectors, particularly in urban areas where law firms often seek skilled support staff. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.51%, the job market for paralegals in Maine shows a positive outlook, driven by increasing legal needs across the state. In addition to Portland, other cities like South Portland ($66,252), Scarborough ($61,861), Biddeford ($61,344), and Augusta ($61,139) are also expected to provide favorable employment opportunities for aspiring paralegals. Overall, understanding local demand and salary variations is crucial for anyone considering this career in Maine.
Maine Paralegal Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maine: $43,327 (lowest entry-level) to $102,690 (highest top earner)
Maine vs National Average
Maine paralegals earn 0.17% less than the national median ($-112/year difference).
Maine Paralegal Salary Distribution (2026)
Paralegal salaries in Maine range from $56,506 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $82,586 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $64,985. The Maine median is $112 below the US national median of $65,097. The average hourly rate is $31.24/hr. Approximately 945 paralegals are employed across 10 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$53,472
2025 BLS Actual
$62,781
2026 Current Est.
$64,985
2019–2027 Growth
+25.8%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Maine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,472 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,884 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,994 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,051 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,772 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,734 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,781 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,985 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,266 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maine metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 17.4% from $53,472 (2019) to $62,781 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,266 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,794 (25.80%) 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 3.51% 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 Paralegals in Maine
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maine cities offer the most purchasing power for paralegals.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Portland | $66,252 | 99.6 | $66,518 |
| Portland | $66,536 | 101.858 | $65,322 |
| Lewiston | $60,481 | 94.736 | $63,842 |
| Bangor | $60,326 | 96.508 | $62,509 |
| Scarborough | $61,861 | 99.6 | $62,109 |
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) | $56,506 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $64,985 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $82,586 |
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 | $66,536 |
| 2 | South Portland | $66,252 |
| 3 | Scarborough | $61,861 |
| 4 | Biddeford | $61,344 |
| 5 | Augusta | $61,139 |
| 6 | Sanford | $60,569 |
| 7 | Lewiston | $60,481 |
| 8 | Auburn | $60,464 |
| 9 | Bangor | $60,326 |
| 10 | Brunswick | $59,999 |
More Maine Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced paralegals.
Explore More Paralegal Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do paralegals make in Maine in 2026?
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How does Maine paralegal pay compare to the national average?
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Written by Jessica Tran, JD
Career Analyst
Jessica Tran has 10 years of experience in paralegal studies. She specializes in corporate law and works with a law firm. She trains new paralegals in legal research and documentation.
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 3.51% 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 paralegal compensation across Maine. State averages are employment-weighted across 10 metro areas — larger metro areas with more paralegalscontribute 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 3.51%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for paralegals (SOC 23-2011).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, JD, a licensed paralegal with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov