ocity
💰 COL Index: 104 — Near Avg Cost

Salaries in South Portland, ME

Modeled occupation planning estimates with gross-pay and cost-context formulas.

Model generated 2026-02-26 · Methodology reviewed July 16, 2026 · 27 selected occupations

Selected-Role Model Average
$57,622
unweighted modeled medians; not a worker average
Purchasing-Power Model
$55,620
model average ÷ 103.6 × 100
Highest Modeled Role
Software Developer
$128,634
City 1BR Rent Reference
$1,139
monthly context; not a current quote

What does the salary model mean for South Portland?

$57,622 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for these 27 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all local workers.

Model average$57,622/year
Gross monthly equivalent$4,802/month
Household income context$84,563

Keep the measures separate: gross monthly salary is before taxes and deductions; household income can include multiple earners; the selected-role model average is not weighted by local employment.

🏆 Highest Modeled Values in This 27-Role Set

Ranked by modeled annual occupation median. These are planning estimates, not direct local OEWS rows.

🥇 +1% vs national

Software Developer

$128,634
💡 Purchasing-power model $124,164
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $61.84/hr
National projected growth +17.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥈 +1% vs national

Accountant

$87,009
💡 Purchasing-power model $83,986
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $41.83/hr
National projected growth +3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥉 +1% vs national

Registered Nurse

$86,999
💡 Purchasing-power model $83,976
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $41.83/hr
National projected growth +6.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
4️⃣ +1% vs national

Elementary School Teacher

$64,357
💡 Purchasing-power model $62,121
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $30.94/hr
National projected growth +3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
5️⃣ +1% vs national

Electrician

$62,214
💡 Purchasing-power model $60,052
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $29.91/hr
National projected growth +3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →

📋 Complete Salary Guide — All 27 Occupations in South Portland

Purchasing-power equivalent = modeled annual median divided by the planning cost index (103.6/100). It does not estimate taxes or take-home pay. This city cost reference is above 100.

Showing all 27 occupations.

#
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 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $50,539
9 Paralegal $50,539
10 Welder $50,539
11 Project Manager $50,539
12 Police Officer $50,539
13 Graphic Designer $50,539
14 Data Analyst $50,539
15 Plumber $50,539
16 Firefighter $50,539
17 Carpenter $50,539
18 Human Resources Specialist $50,539
19 Physical Therapist $50,539
20 Financial Analyst $50,539
21 HVAC Technician $50,539
22 Pharmacist $50,539
23 Dental Hygienist $50,539
24 Construction Manager $50,539
25 Web Developer $50,539
26 Marketing Manager $50,539
27 Medical Assistant $50,539

OCity planning estimates. National occupation references are inputs; displayed city values are modeled rather than direct local BLS occupation rows.

South Portland salary model: formulas, sources and limitations

Stored occupation model comparison

modeled estimate ÷ stored national reference = row comparison

On this owner, estimate-to-reference ratios are 0.321×–1.413× across occupations. Ratios can vary by occupation, so this is not described as one citywide multiplier or a direct local OEWS download.

Purchasing-power equivalent

modeled estimate ÷ 103.6 × 100

This comparison does not estimate taxes or take-home pay and is not an official BLS adjustment.

Limitations. “Average” is unweighted across selected occupations. Growth fields are national occupation projections, not local forecasts. City and metro geographies can differ. Repeated stored employment counts are not presented as local jobs.
BLS OEWS methodologyBLS national projectionsCensus/ACS income context

Model generated 2026-02-26; methodology reviewed July 16, 2026.

🏙️ Living Costs in South Portland

🏠
1BR Rent
$1,139/mo
🏡
2BR Rent
$1,423/mo
🏘️
Median Home
$518,000
📉
Unemployment
3.0%
💳
Median Income
$84,563
🎓
College Educated
49%
🚶
Walk Score
35/100
📊
Cost of Living
104
Near Avg Cost
📊 Full Cost of Living Breakdown → 🏠 Real Estate Market →

🧮 Test Your South Portland Budget

Use scenario tools to compare gross pay and city cost context. Results depend on the inputs and do not guarantee take-home pay, housing approval or affordability.

💰 Decode a Job Offer 🔄 Salary Equivalence Calculator 🔍 Career Arbitrage Tool

❓ South Portland Salary FAQ

What does the average salary in South Portland mean on this page?

▼
$57,622 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for 27 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all South Portland workers.

What is the monthly salary estimate in South Portland?

▼
The selected-occupation model average equals about $4,802 per month before taxes and deductions. This gross arithmetic conversion is not take-home pay or household income.

What is a good salary in South Portland?

▼
There is no universal threshold. Household size, current housing quotes, taxes, debt, benefits, transportation and other recurring costs determine fit. The figures here are planning references, not affordability guarantees.

Are these direct local BLS salary observations for South Portland?

▼
No. Each stored city planning estimate is compared with its stored national occupation reference. The estimate-to-reference relationship is 0.321×–1.413× across occupations; it is not represented as one universal city multiplier or a direct local BLS observation.

📝 Planning Takeaways for South Portland

Use the occupation rows to compare modeled gross-pay references, not to predict an offer. Validate the exact role, experience level, employer, benefits and location. Then model taxes and current household costs before making a relocation or career decision.

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Explore South Portland Further

🏙️ South Portland City Overview 💰 Cost of Living 🏠 Real Estate 📊 Browse Salaries by City 💼 All Career Guides 🏘️ Neighborhood Guide 🔍 Career Arbitrage