Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Portland, ME: $269,964 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Portland, ME earns a median $269,964/year (≈ $129.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Portland's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.9), that paycheck buys what $265,040 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.9% above the Maine state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The nurse anesthetist salary in Portland, ME, is projected to be $269,964 in 2026, an attractive figure that surpasses the national median of $248,893 by approximately 8.47%. Salaries for this role range from $186,320 at the lower end (P10) to $361,425 at the high end (P90), reflecting significant variability largely driven by factors like call-coverage responsibilities and weekend differentials. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, shows that the local market for nurse anesthetists is not only competitive but also offers opportunities for specialists willing to take on more demanding schedules. The variation in pay indicates a robust job market in Portland, where the demand for skilled anesthetists continues to grow.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $186,320 | $89.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $236,574 | $113.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $269,964 | $129.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $288,427 | $138.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $361,425 | $173.77 |
Median Salary Position
8.47% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portland
In Portland, ME, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $175,105 (2026 est.). At $269,964, the local median is 8.47% above the national median of $248,893.
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At 40 hours/week in Portland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portland Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Portland median: $269,964/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $247,901 | +8.90% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | +8.47% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Portland, ME earn a median of $269,964 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.47% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 8.90% above the Maine state average of $247,901.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portland has a cost of living 1.86% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portland, ME has a cost-of-living index of 101.858 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $269,964 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $265,040 — a 1.82% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$193,670
2025 BLS Actual
$256,620
2026 Current Est.
$269,964
2019–2027 Growth
+46.6%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $193,670 | Actual |
| 2020 | $197,670 | Actual |
| 2021 | $195,610 | Actual |
| 2022 | $220,284 | Actual |
| 2023 | $220,030 | Actual |
| 2024 | $210,208 | Actual |
| 2025 | $256,620 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $269,964 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $284,002 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portland metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 32.5% from $193,670 (2019) to $256,620 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $284,002 by 2027 — a total increase of $90,332 (46.64%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portland metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.20% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $186,320 – $236,574 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $236,574 – $269,964 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $269,964 – $288,427 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $288,427 – $361,425 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Portland
With approximately 190 nurse anesthetists employed in the area, the market stands strong, bolstered by a cost-of-living index of 101.858, which slightly exceeds the national average. This suggests that while salaries are competitive, careful financial planning is essential to maintain purchasing power in the region. Among local employers, hospital systems tend to offer some of the highest salaries, but CRNA-owned anesthesia group practices are increasingly attractive due to partnership opportunities and profit-sharing arrangements. Pay disparities can be influenced by various factors, including call coverage rotation and additional stipends for trauma center duties. To maximize earnings in Portland, nurse anesthetists should consider seeking opportunities in trauma centers or negotiating for more favorable contracts with locum tenens agencies, as flexibility in work arrangements can further enhance financial outcomes.
More salary data for Portland, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA
Career Analyst
Alexandra Johnson has 10 years of experience as a nurse anesthetist. She specializes in anesthesia for orthopedic surgeries. She works in a regional medical center.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $256,620 for nurse anesthetistsin the Portland metropolitan area. A 5.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.20%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse anesthetists (SOC 29-1151).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA, a licensed nurse anesthetist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov