Salaries in Biddeford, ME
What every job actually pays โ cost-of-living adjusted
Updated: February 2026 ยท 27 occupations ยท BLS + Census data
Biddefordโs secret is that itโs quietly become a place where your paycheck doesnโt scream, but it doesnโt whisper either. Youโll find a software developer making $128,634 here, which feels almost shockingly high for a city of 22,000 people. Itโs a little surprising, honestly, how the old mill town vibe now mixes with actual tech salaries.
Hereโs the math that matters: Biddefordโs cost of living sits at 103.6, just a hair above the national average. That $1,139 median rent for a one-bedroom is the real anchor. It means your take-home pay goes further than it would in Boston or Portland, but youโre not getting a steal. A median household income of $69,794 feels reasonable, but it doesnโt leave a ton of room for error. Itโs not a bargain, but itโs not overpriced eitherโjust a delicate balance.
So whoโs actually thriving here? Itโs not just the old-school manufacturing. Biddefordโs economy leans heavily on healthcare and education, with Maine Medical Centerโs influence stretching this far down the coast. The University of New England is a major employer, too. You see it in the salary data: Registered Nurses are pulling in nearly $87,000. And the presence of those tech jobs, likely linked to remote work or regional offices, is lifting the entire average.
Hereโs my honest take: wages are stable, but are they keeping pace? The 3.0% unemployment rate shows a tight job market, which should push pay up. But with education levels (only 30.4% have a bachelorโs degree) lagging the national average, thereโs a ceiling for many. Itโs a great fit for skilled tradespeople and healthcare workers. For others, it might feel like youโre working hard just to stay in place.
The numbers below tell the rest of the story, from the top-paying roles to what you can actually afford on an average salary.
๐ Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Biddeford
Ranked by raw salary. See COL-adjusted figures in the full table below.
Software Developer
Accountant
Registered Nurse
Elementary School Teacher
Electrician
๐ Complete Salary Guide โ All 27 Occupations in Biddeford
COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (104/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is above the US average.
| # | Occupation โ | Raw Salary โ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Software Developer | $128,634 |
| 2 | Accountant | $87,009 |
| 3 | Registered Nurse | $86,999 |
| 4 | Elementary School Teacher | $64,357 |
| 5 | Electrician | $62,214 |
| 6 | Real Estate Agent | $62,143 |
| 7 | Heavy Truck Driver | $53,663 |
| 8 | Medical Assistant | $50,539 |
| 9 | Nursing Assistant (CNA) | $50,539 |
| 10 | Paralegal | $50,539 |
| 11 | Welder | $50,539 |
| 12 | Web Developer | $50,539 |
| 13 | Project Manager | $50,539 |
| 14 | Police Officer | $50,539 |
| 15 | Graphic Designer | $50,539 |
| 16 | Data Analyst | $50,539 |
| 17 | Plumber | $50,539 |
| 18 | Dental Hygienist | $50,539 |
| 19 | Physical Therapist | $50,539 |
| 20 | Carpenter | $50,539 |
| 21 | Human Resources Specialist | $50,539 |
| 22 | Financial Analyst | $50,539 |
| 23 | Pharmacist | $50,539 |
| 24 | HVAC Technician | $50,539 |
| 25 | Construction Manager | $50,539 |
| 26 | Marketing Manager | $50,539 |
| 27 | Firefighter | $50,539 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics. COL Index from C2ER/ACCRA.
๐๏ธ Living Costs in Biddeford
๐งฎ Can You Afford to Live in Biddeford?
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โ Biddeford Salary FAQ
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๐ Editor's Verdict: Is Biddeford Worth It?
Hereโs my honest take: Biddeford isnโt a lottery ticket, but itโs a solid bet if you play to its strengths. With a COL index of 103.6, youโre paying slightly above the national average for basics like rent at $1,139 a month, so the $57,622 average salary doesnโt stretch as far as it might elsewhere. Still, the tech scene punches way above its weightโSoftware Developer roles hit $128,634, and even after adjusting for cost of living, youโre looking at $124,164. Thatโs the sweet spot here. Healthcare and trades fare okay, but tech is where the money clearly lives. If youโre in software, Biddeford is worth it financially; for everyone else, itโs more of a grind. My advice? If youโre moving here for work, lock in a remote-friendly tech gig or a high-demand local role before you packโdonโt chase a lowball offer and expect the math to magically work out.