Embedded Systems Engineer.
Portland.
$137,000
median salary, 5% above the national average
$103,000 to $179,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Portland is 5% more expensive than the national average. For Embedded Systems Engineers, that shakes out to a median of $137,000, with the full range spanning $103,000 to $179,000. Engineers working on safety-critical systems in automotive, aerospace, or medical devices earn the highest rates due to regulatory complexity. Know the range before you walk in.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $123,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$89,000
to $110,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$116,000
to $144,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$151,000
to $178,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$171,000
to $212,000
Salary trend
+5% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $34,000 to the total package.
Base
$137,000
Equity
$19,000
Bonus
$12,000
Signing
$3,000
Estimated total: $171,000
How Portland compares
Portland, ME
$137,000
Cost of living: 5% above average
National Average
$130,000
Portland is $7,000 above
Embedded Systems Engineer salary by city
Salary by role in Portland
What you should know
The Embedded Systems Engineer landscape in Portland is not what most salary sites will tell you. 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. Engineers working on safety-critical systems in automotive, aerospace, or medical devices earn the highest rates due to regulatory complexity. Expertise in RTOS, firmware optimization, and hardware-software co-design adds 15 to 20% over general embedded work. Security clearance requirements in defense applications push salaries to the top of the band.
Junior embedded engineers start at $72,000 to $90,000, advancing to mid-level at $98,000 to $135,000 in three to four years. Senior embedded architects earn $145,000 to $180,000, while principal engineers or VP of embedded systems roles command $190,000 to $260,000 at major hardware companies. 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. Bonuses of 8 to 15% are typical at hardware companies, with patent bonuses of $2,000 to $10,000 per filing. Automotive and aerospace firms often include relocation packages and continuing education benefits worth $5,000 to $12,000 annually. 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 $137,000, 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 Embedded Systems Engineers in Portland runs from $103,000 to $179,000. 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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- A Data Scientist in Portland earns $138,000 (1% more)
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Common questions.
Embedded Systems Engineer salary in other cities
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