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Accounting Salary in Maine: Is It a Good Career?

Maine · 2026 BLS salary data

Accounting pay in Maine

The median wage is $77,480/yr — 7% below the national median. Among U.S. states, Maineranks #36 of 51 states by median pay.

The numbers in Maine

Real BLS state-level figures for Accounting.

Median salary
$77,480/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$63,920 – $98,700
National median
$83,680/yr
Employed in Maine
3,860

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.

What that pay is really worth in Maine

Salary alone can mislead — Maine costs 3% less than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
97
Nominal median
$77,480
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $79,876
State income tax
Up to 7.15%

Maine's high pay is offset by cost of living — adjusted for prices it ranks #45 of 51, down from #36 on raw salary.

Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions.

FAQ

How much do accounting professionals make in Maine?

The median annual wage is $77,480 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $63,920 and $98,700. That's 7% below the national median.

Is Maine a good state for accounting?

By raw pay, Maine ranks #36 of 51 states by median pay. Adjusted for cost of living (Maine costs 3% less than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $79,876. Maine's high pay is offset by cost of living — adjusted for prices it ranks #45 of 51, down from #36 on raw salary.

Are accounting professionals in demand in Maine?

About 3,860 people work in this field in Maine (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +4.6% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Accounting nationally — Maine pay is 7% below the national median. See the full Accounting career guide →

The verdict

Yes if you want stability and a clear credential ladder — accounting pays a solid above-median wage with steady demand, and the CPA opens real doors. Not the pick if you want high upside fast or dislike detail-heavy, deadline-driven work.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Solid above-median pay with steady demand
  • CPA credential sharply boosts pay and options
  • Every industry needs accountants — very portable
  • Clear path to controller, CFO, or your own practice
  • Recession-resistant (audits and taxes never stop)

Cons

  • Busy season means long hours (tax/audit deadlines)
  • Detail- and compliance-heavy, can feel repetitive
  • CPA exam and 150-credit rule are a real hurdle
  • Automation is reshaping entry-level bookkeeping tasks

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • Detail-oriented people who like structure and rules
  • Those who want a stable, credential-based career
  • Anyone eyeing a path to CFO or their own firm

✗ Probably not if…

  • People who want creative or highly variable work
  • Those who can't tolerate deadline-driven busy seasons

What people are actually asking

Real Reddit discussions on whether Accounting is worth it — titles link to the original threads.