Electrician.
Portland.
$69,000
median salary, 6% above the national average
$53,000 to $93,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
A Electrician in Portland earns a median of $69,000 in 2026. That is 6% above the national average. The range runs from $53,000 to $93,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate. License level (journeyman vs.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $62,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$45,000
to $55,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$59,000
to $72,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$76,000
to $90,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$86,000
to $107,000
Salary trend
+3% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $14,000 to the total package.
Base
$69,000
Equity
$8,000
Bonus
$5,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $83,000
How Portland compares
Portland, ME
$69,000
Cost of living: 5% above average
National Average
$65,000
Portland is $4,000 above
Electrician salary by city
Salary by role in Portland
What you should know
Here is what the Electrician market actually looks like in Portland. Portland, Maine is a small but growing tech and creative economy hub. The city attracts remote workers and small companies seeking quality of life on the New England coast. Healthcare, marine industries, and a craft food and beverage sector round out the local economy. License level (journeyman vs. master), union membership, and specialization are the primary factors. Industrial electricians and those working on high voltage systems earn significantly more than residential wirers. Overtime availability, geographic demand, and experience with renewable energy systems (solar, EV charging) also drive compensation upward.
Apprentice electricians earn $35,000 to $48,000 during their four to five year training. Journeyman electricians earn $55,000 to $80,000. Master electricians command $75,000 to $105,000. Electrical contractors who start their own business or move into project management can earn $100,000 to $150,000+. In Portland, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Union electricians receive substantial benefits including pension contributions, health insurance, annuity, and apprenticeship funds that add 30 to 40% on top of hourly wages. Overtime at 1.5x to 2x the base rate is common. Non union electricians negotiate benefits individually, with more variation in total package value. And on the tax side: maine's top income tax rate is 7.15%. Portland has no city income tax. The state rate is above average but offset by quality of life and access to rural New England. When someone quotes you $69,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Negotiate remote work flexibility. Portland employers know they compete with Boston and New York for talent and may offer location flexibility to attract top candidates. The range for Electricians in Portland runs from $53,000 to $93,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
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Common questions.
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