Technology Portland, ME Pop. 68,408

Software Engineer Salary in Portland, Maine

The median software engineer salary in Portland, ME is $130,410 per year, which is 5.0% above the national median and 10.5% above the Maine state average.

City Median
$130,410
vs State Avg
+$12,420
vs National
+$6,210
Cost of Living
108%

Software Engineer Pay in Portland: What to Expect (2026)

Portland offers a median software engineer salary of $130,410, which is $12,420 above the Maine state average of $117,990. Compared to the national median of $124,200, Portland pays above average for this role.

Portland's cost of living is 108% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for software engineers in Portland spans from $78,330 at the 10th percentile to $208,509 at the 90th percentile — a $130,179 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $81,900, while senior software engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $194,250. Portland is a smaller market (pop. 68,408), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Software Engineer Salary in Portland by Experience

In Portland, an entry-level software engineer earns around $81,900, while experienced professionals earn up to $194,250 per year. The local cost of living index is 108% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$81,900
+$3,900 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$131,250
+$6,250 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$194,250
+$9,250 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Portland, ME

Percentile Portland
10th Percentile $78,330
25th Percentile $103,110
Median (50th) $130,410
75th Percentile $166,110
90th Percentile $208,509

Software Engineer Salary in Other Maine Cities

South Portland, ME
$126,684
Pop. 25,665
Bangor, ME
$110,538
Pop. 32,029
Lewiston, ME
$108,054
Pop. 37,121
Auburn, ME
$106,812
Pop. 23,926

How to Become a Software Engineer in Portland

Education

Most software engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Portland and the surrounding Maine area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

PythonJavaScriptSQLGitCloud PlatformsSystem Design

Job Outlook

Nationally, software engineer employment is projected to grow 25% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Portland may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Software Engineer Jobs in Portland

Browse open software engineer positions in Portland, ME:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Software Engineer Salary in Portland

How much does a Software Engineer make in Portland, ME? ▼
The median software engineer salary in Portland, Maine is $130,410 per year, which is 5.0% above the national median of $124,200. Salaries range from $78,330 (10th percentile) to $208,509 (90th percentile).
How much does a Software Engineer make per hour in Portland? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $130,410, a software engineer in Portland earns approximately $63 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Portland compare to the Maine state average for software engineer pay? ▼
Portland's median software engineer salary of $130,410 is 10.5% above the Maine state average of $117,990. The local cost of living index is 108% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Portland, ME? ▼
Portland has a cost of living index of 108% compared to the national average. This means a software engineer salary of $130,410 in Portland has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a software engineer in Portland? ▼
Most software engineer positions in Portland require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Python, JavaScript, SQL, Git. The job market is projected to grow 25% nationally over the next decade.