Police Officer Salary in Maine: $74,511 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maine's 10 metropolitan areas, the average median police officer pay sits at $74,511/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 33-3051. Because Maine sits at BEA RPP 99.6 (0% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $74,810 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Portland ($73,600), South Portland ($73,285), Scarborough ($72,421).
In 2026, police officer salaries in Maine average $74,511, which is 5.1% lower than the national median of $78,542. The salary range varies significantly across different cities, with the highest paying position in Portland at $75,852, while officers in Auburn earn the least at $68,546. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, local government budgets, and varying levels of crime and community needs. Maine's police officers must meet specific state licensing requirements, which include completing a training academy and passing proficiency tests. Demand drivers for police officers in Maine include an increasing focus on public safety, emerging public health concerns, and community policing initiatives. The projected growth rate for police officer employment in the state is 3.06%, indicating a stable job market outlook. The top five cities for police officer salaries in 2026 are Portland ($75,852), South Portland ($75,528), Scarborough ($74,637), Biddeford ($74,014), and Augusta ($73,766). Understanding these figures and local requirements can help aspiring officers make informed decisions about their career paths in Maine.
Maine Police Officer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maine: $42,702 (lowest entry-level) to $111,996 (highest top earner)
Maine vs National Average
Maine police officers earn 5.13% less than the national median ($-4,031/year difference).
Maine Police Officer Salary Distribution (2026)
Police Officer salaries in Maine range from $59,928 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $97,373 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $74,511. The Maine median is $4,031 below the US national median of $78,542. The average hourly rate is $35.82/hr. Approximately 1,305 police officers are employed across 10 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$56,107
2025 BLS Actual
$72,299
2026 Current Est.
$74,511
2019–2027 Growth
+36.9%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Maine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,107 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,015 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,045 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,328 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,465 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,183 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,299 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,511 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,791 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maine metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 28.9% from $56,107 (2019) to $72,299 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,791 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,684 (36.87%) 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 3.06% 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 Police Officers in Maine
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maine cities offer the most purchasing power for police officers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor | $73,523 | 96.508 | $76,183 |
| South Portland | $75,528 | 99.6 | $75,831 |
| Scarborough | $74,637 | 99.6 | $74,937 |
| Portland | $75,852 | 101.858 | $74,468 |
| Biddeford | $74,014 | 99.6 | $74,311 |
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) | $59,928 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $74,511 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $97,373 |
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 | $75,852 |
| 2 | South Portland | $75,528 |
| 3 | Scarborough | $74,637 |
| 4 | Biddeford | $74,014 |
| 5 | Augusta | $73,766 |
| 6 | Bangor | $73,523 |
| 7 | Sanford | $73,078 |
| 8 | Brunswick | $72,389 |
| 9 | Lewiston | $68,566 |
| 10 | Auburn | $68,546 |
More Maine Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore police officer hourly pay in Maine cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced police officers.
Explore More Police Officer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Maine in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for police officers in Maine?
How does Maine police officer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level police officer salary in Maine?
How many police officers are employed in Maine?
Which Maine city offers the best value for police officers?
Written by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in law enforcement. They specialize in community policing strategies. Jordan works with a municipal police department.
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 3.06% 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 police officer compensation across Maine. State averages are employment-weighted across 10 metro areas — larger metro areas with more police officerscontribute 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 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for police officers (SOC 33-3051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice, a licensed police officer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov