๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 104 โ€” Near Avg Cost

Salaries in Biddeford, ME

What every job actually pays โ€” cost-of-living adjusted

Updated: February 2026 ยท 27 occupations ยท BLS + Census data

Avg. Salary
$57,622
across 27 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$55,620
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Software Developer
$128,634
1BR Rent
$1,139
median monthly

Biddefordโ€™s secret is that itโ€™s quietly become a place where your paycheck doesnโ€™t scream, but it doesnโ€™t whisper either. Youโ€™ll find a software developer making $128,634 here, which feels almost shockingly high for a city of 22,000 people. Itโ€™s a little surprising, honestly, how the old mill town vibe now mixes with actual tech salaries.

Hereโ€™s the math that matters: Biddefordโ€™s 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 youโ€™re not getting a steal. A median household income of $69,794 feels reasonable, but it doesnโ€™t leave a ton of room for error. Itโ€™s not a bargain, but itโ€™s not overpriced eitherโ€”just a delicate balance.

So whoโ€™s actually thriving here? Itโ€™s not just the old-school manufacturing. Biddefordโ€™s economy leans heavily on healthcare and education, with Maine Medical Centerโ€™s 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.

Hereโ€™s 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 bachelorโ€™s degree) lagging the national average, thereโ€™s a ceiling for many. Itโ€™s a great fit for skilled tradespeople and healthcare workers. For others, it might feel like youโ€™re 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.

๐Ÿ† Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Biddeford

Ranked by raw salary. See COL-adjusted figures in the full table below.

๐Ÿฅ‡ +1% vs national

Software Developer

$128,634
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $124,164
โฑ Hourly $61.84/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿฅˆ +1% vs national

Accountant

$87,009
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $83,986
โฑ Hourly $41.83/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
๐Ÿฅ‰ +1% vs national

Registered Nurse

$86,999
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $83,976
โฑ Hourly $41.83/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +6.0%
4๏ธโƒฃ +1% vs national

Elementary School Teacher

$64,357
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $62,121
โฑ Hourly $30.94/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
5๏ธโƒฃ +1% vs national

Electrician

$62,214
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $60,052
โฑ Hourly $29.91/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%

๐Ÿ“‹ 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.

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Biddeford

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$1,139/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$1,423/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$460,000
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
3.0%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$69,794
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
30%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
35/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
104
Near Avg Cost

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Biddeford?

Use our Salary Reality Check to see if your specific income covers housing, taxes, and expenses in Biddeford. Enter your salary and see exactly how far your money goes.

โ“ Biddeford Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Biddeford, ME?

โ–ผ
The average salary across 40 occupations in Biddeford is $57,622. This figure is slightly above the U.S. average but below the local median household income of $69,794, indicating a mix of lower and higher-earning roles in the area.

What jobs pay the most in Biddeford?

โ–ผ
The highest-paying role in Biddeford is Software Developer at $128,634 annually. This salary is more than double the city's average, reflecting the premium for tech skills in the local market.

Is Biddeford affordable on a Software Developer salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, a Software Developer salary of $128,634 is well above the median household income of $69,794 and comfortably covers a $1,139/month 1BR rent. With a cost of living index of 103.6 (3.6% above U.S. average), this salary allows for significant savings and discretionary spending.

How does Biddeford's cost of living affect my paycheck?

โ–ผ
Biddeford's COL index of 103.6 means your paycheck has 3.6% less purchasing power than the national average. For example, a $57,622 salary here feels like $55,620 nationally, but the lower-than-average rent ($1,139) helps offset this impact.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Biddeford?

โ–ผ
To live comfortably, aim for a salary around $69,794, matching the median household income. This allows you to cover the $1,139/month rent and other costs with a buffer, given the COL index is only 3.6% above average.

๐Ÿ“ Editor's Verdict: Is Biddeford Worth It?

Hereโ€™s my honest take: Biddeford isnโ€™t a lottery ticket, but itโ€™s a solid bet if you play to its strengths. With a COL index of 103.6, youโ€™re paying slightly above the national average for basics like rent at $1,139 a month, so the $57,622 average salary doesnโ€™t stretch as far as it might elsewhere. Still, the tech scene punches way above its weightโ€”Software Developer roles hit $128,634, and even after adjusting for cost of living, youโ€™re looking at $124,164. Thatโ€™s the sweet spot here. Healthcare and trades fare okay, but tech is where the money clearly lives. If youโ€™re in software, Biddeford is worth it financially; for everyone else, itโ€™s more of a grind. My advice? If youโ€™re moving here for work, lock in a remote-friendly tech gig or a high-demand local role before you packโ€”donโ€™t chase a lowball offer and expect the math to magically work out.

Explore Biddeford Further