Lawyer salary in Maine
Lawyers in Maine earn a median of $113,120 a year ($54.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,280 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $215,610 for the top 10%. That is 29% lower than the national median of $159,670. Maine ranks 38th of 51 states for lawyers pay. There are 3.6 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $129,600, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Maine
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,820 | $36.94 |
| 25th percentile | $82,830 | $39.82 |
| Median | $113,120 | $54.39 |
| 75th percentile | $139,110 | $66.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $215,610 | $103.66 |
| Average (mean) | $129,600 | $62.31 |
Half of lawyers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $9,426.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,713.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,350.77 |
| Weekly | $2,175.38 |
| Hourly | $54.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Lawyer salary in cities in Maine
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-South Portland, ME | $129,990 | 1,360 |
| Bangor, ME | $116,240 | 210 |
| Lewiston-Auburn, ME | $105,240 | 150 |
Highest-paying states for lawyers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $207,860 |
| District of Columbia | $195,190 |
| California | $195,080 |
| Massachusetts | $176,680 |
| Delaware | $173,510 |
| Colorado | $168,520 |
| Virginia | $167,210 |
| Connecticut | $163,600 |
| New Jersey | $161,430 |
| Illinois | $160,800 |
Related jobs in Maine
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $75,960 | $36.52 |
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $161,470 | $77.63 |
| Judicial Law Clerk | $67,890 | $32.64 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $62,420 | $30.01 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $48,900 | $23.51 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $72,110 | $34.67 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 23-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Maine?
The median salary for lawyers in Maine is $113,120 a year, or $54.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $215,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Maine?
The top 10% of lawyers in Maine earn at least $215,610 a year. The top 25% earn $139,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Maine?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,820 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $82,830 or less.
How many lawyers work in Maine?
About 2,280 lawyers are employed in Maine, not counting the self-employed.