Whether you’re considering becoming a nurse practitioner, studying to become one, or just entering nursing school, you may have thoughts about a nurse practitioner’s salary. It is important to note that salaries vary based on many variables, including location.
There are several options for location, and it is important to take them into account. One can choose from several states in the United States, for instance. There are also numerous cities in each state. A variety of communities can be found there, including smaller cities, suburbs, metropolitan areas, rural areas, etc.
All of these locations have a need for healthcare. The next step is to narrow your search for a specific location once you’ve decided what state you’d like to practice in. When you become a nurse practitioner, what cities do you envision yourself practicing in?
An important factor to consider is pay. Throughout this article, we’ll examine the salaries of nurse practitioners in Maine.
Maine Nurse Practitioner Starting Salary
Nurse practitioners who are just beginning their careers in Maine can expect to earn $80,287 per year. This works out to $6,140 a month or $38.60 an hour. Nurse practitioners are generally considered entry-level during their first year of practice.
There is a significant difference between entry-level salaries and salaries for more experienced employees. There are a number of factors contributing to this.
The best nurse practitioner programs in Maine teach students critical thinking skills and practical experience that they will need throughout their careers, but these skills have not been fully developed.
It takes several months for them to become comfortable with what they have learned. In the early stages of their career, new nurse practitioners won’t be able to manage a full patient load, and they’ll probably need mentorship from an experienced nurse practitioner.
Some of the training and orientation costs are offset by the lower salaries paid to entry-level nurse practitioners in Maine.
| Hourly | $38.60 |
| Monthly | $6,140 |
| Yearly | $80,287 |
Maine Nurse Practitioner Average Salary
There are several factors that determine the salary of a nurse practitioner in Maine. The salaries of nurses are influenced by many factors, including location, specialty, and type of practice, as well as experience, shift differentials, and degrees and certifications.
It is estimated that on average nurse practitioners in Maine make $115,043 per year. That works out to $9,380 per month and $55.31 per hour. It is common for nurse practitioners to reach this salary level at the end of their fourth year of practice.
| Hourly | $55.31 |
| Monthly | $9,380 |
| Yearly | $115,043 |
Maine Nurse Practitioner Salary By Years of Experience
Salary levels are correlated with experience, and experience is associated with higher salaries. It is important for nurse practitioners to develop valuable skills over the course of their careers. As nurse practitioners gain more experience and improve their clinical skills and judgment, they become more efficient and effective at their jobs.
Experience gained from years of on-the-job skills and decision-making cannot be taught, as it comes from years of cumulative on-the-job experience.
As a result, nurses with more experience will be paid more because they are worth more, so they will have higher salaries. A nurse practitioner’s experience is an important factor to consider when evaluating their salaries.
A Maine nurse practitioner who has worked for one to four years can expect a 25% higher salary than a new grad who has less than one year of experience. A nurse practitioner who has worked for five to nine years can anticipate a 20 percent increase in their pay over those with one to four years of experience.
Nurse practitioners with 10-19 years of experience can expect their salary to increase almost 75 percent over their first year in the field. It is almost twice as much for those who have over 20 years of experience as those who are just starting out.
| # of Years of Experience | Hourly | Monthly | Yearly |
| Less than 1 | $38.60 | $6,520 | $80,287 |
| 1-4 | $48.02 | $8,320 | $99,880 |
| 5-9 | $49.22 | $8,530 | $102,370 |
| 10-19 | $61.71 | $10,700 | $128,360 |
| 20+ | $63.45 | $11,000 | $143,018 |
Maine Nurse Practitioner Compensation and Benefits
A career path and place of employment are determined largely by pay. In addition to wages, benefits and other compensation should be considered. There is also the possibility of negotiating compensation and benefits. It is one of the factors to consider when deciding where to work. An important consideration is comparing benefits packages.
In order to attract employees, companies do not solely rely on salaries. Non-cash compensation is also provided to employees by their employers, known as benefits.
The average benefit for Maine nurse practitioners working in the private sector is $47,604, or 42 percent of the average salary. The average salary of Maine nurse practitioners employed by the state or local government is $68,598, or 62 percent.
| Benefit/Compensation | Private Sector | Federal, State, and Local Government |
| Paid Time Off | $11,861 | $13,684 |
| Compensatory Pay | $5,610 | $1,800 |
| Insurance (Health, Dental, Vision, Life) | $12,502 | $21,066 |
| Retirement and Pension | $5,450 | $22,326 |
| Required By Law | $12,182 | $9,903 |
| Total Benefits | $47,604 | $68,598 |
| Average Yearly Salary | $112,680 | $111,450 |
| Total Compensation | $160,284 | $180,048 |
Maine Nurse Practitioner Practice Setting Salary
A nurse practitioner’s salary is also affected by the practice setting. These differences can be attributed to numerous factors, including work hours, operational costs, and risk factors. Generally speaking, shifts in hospitals (working holidays, nights, weekends, etc.) are not as desirable.
Therefore, nurse practitioners in hospitals are generally paid more, since the shifts are not as attractive as office jobs without holiday shifts. Nurse practitioners working in Maine hospitals earn an average salary of $117,270 per year, or $56.39 per hour.
It is still possible, however, for nurse practitioners to earn about $105,750 per year or $50.85 per hour if they work in an area that offers more appealing hours.
| Practice Setting Type | Hourly | Yearly |
| Outpatient Facilities | $59.24 | $123,210 |
| Hospitals | $56.39 | $117,270 |
| Other Healthcare Provider Offices | $49.93 | $103,850 |
| Doctor’s Offices | $52.68 | $109,560 |
| Colleges and Universities | $50.85 | $105,750 |
Maine Nurse Practitioner Speciality Salary
Adult Gerontology-Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
- Primarily employed in the emergency rooms and intensive care units of the state’s largest medical centers in the largest and most important cities
- In Maine, adult gerontology-acute care nurse practitioners provided frontline care during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners earn an average hourly wage of $54.80 or $113,990 per year in Maine, a 1 percent decrease compared to the average salary for all nurse practitioners in Maine.
| Hourly | $54.80 |
| Yearly | $113,990 |
Adult Gerontology-Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)
- Mostly employed in physician’s offices in rural and urban settings as well as community clinics.
- Assists patients with non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries, promotes wellness, educates patients, and other preventive measures associated with primary care.
- A family nurse practitioner does not provide services to children or adolescents under the age of 18, which makes them a different kind of provider.
- Nurse practitioners specializing in adult-gerontology primary care in Maine earn $51.82 per hour, or $107,790 per year, which is 5 percent less than those specializing in acute care.
| Hourly | $51.82 |
| Yearly | $107,790 |
Dermatology Nurse Practitioner
- Medical spas, dermatologists’ offices, and cosmetic surgeons’ practices are their primary locations.
- These are typically nurse practitioners who are certified as adult gerontology-primary care nurses or family nurse practitioners who have completed clinical dermatology training on-the-job.
- Provide cosmological procedures and treatment for skin diseases.
- In Maine, dermatology nurse practitioners make $55.68 an hour or $115,813 per year.
| Hourly | $55.68 |
| Yearly | $115,813 |
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- There is a specialization among nurse practitioners in diagnosing and treating a wide range of health conditions for people in different stages of life so that they can live a healthier life.
- Accounts for the majority of Maine’s nurse practitioners.
- Family nurse practitioners are among the lowest-paying nurse practitioner specialties throughout the United States, including Maine, which may be due to their popularity.
- Family nurse practitioners in Maine earn an average salary of $53.76 an hour or $111,810 per year, which is 1 percent lower than the average salary across the state.
| Hourly | $53.76 |
| Yearly | $111,810 |
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)
- An individual in this field works in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at a hospital that treats critically ill newborns.
- Among Maine’s nurse practitioners, neonatal nurse practitioners are the highest paid.
- The average neonatal nurse practitioner salary in Maine is $57.71 per hour or $120,030 per year, which is 6 percent more than the average nurse practitioner salary in Maine for all specialties of nurse practitioners.
| Hourly | $57.71 |
| Yearly | $120,030 |
Pediatric-Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (P-ACNP)
- Serve in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) and trauma centers of specialized hospitals for children.
- Specialists in the identification and treatment of severe acute illnesses in patients under the age of 18.
- A pediatric-acute care nurse practitioner in Maine earns $56.23 an hour or $116,970 a year, which is 3 percent more than the average salary of a nurse practitioner in Maine across all specialties.
| Hourly | $56.23 |
| Yearly | $116,970 |
Pediatric-Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Employed in pediatric care facilities, urgent care clinics, schools, and hospitals.
- Providing care for patients younger than 18 years of age.
- In addition to vaccinations, wellness examinations, and diagnosing and treating illnesses, provide primary healthcare for children.
- It is not uncommon for them to provide care for adults who were diagnosed with chronic conditions as children.
- In Maine, the average pediatric-primary care nurse practitioner salary is $52.07 per hour or $108,300 per year, which is 4 percent less than the average nurse practitioner salary in Maine for all nurse practitioner specialties combined.
| Hourly | $52.07 |
| Annual | $108,300 |
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
- The nurse practitioners have extensive training and experience in assessing, diagnosing, managing, and treating patients with mental health conditions and substance abuse issues.
- Approximately five percent of Maine’s nurse practitioners are members of this group.
- Maine’s average salary for psychiatric nurse practitioners is $56.61 per hour or $117,750 per year, which is 4 percent more than the average salary for all nurse practitioners in Maine.
| Hourly | $56.61 |
| Yearly | $117,750 |
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
- Primary employment is in community clinics and in the practices of OB/GYN doctors.
- Care for women throughout their lives, specializing in their healthcare needs.
- There is an average salary of $108,300 per year or $52.07 per hour for nurse practitioners in Maine, which is 4 percent lower than the average salary for nurses across all specialties or nurse practitioners.
| Hourly | $52.07 |
| Yearly | $108,300 |
Maine Nurse Practitioner Salary By City
Portland
- Population of 68,408 in 2020
- Largest city in the state of Maine
- Economy relies on tourism, the service sector, and the marine industry
- The Port of Portland is the second-largest tonnage seaport in New England
- Home to Maine Medical Center, Northern Light Mercy Hospital, and MMC Brighton Campus
- The average nurse practitioner in Portland, Maine makes $112,683 a year or $54.17 an hour
| Hourly | $54.17 |
| Yearly | $112,683 |
Lewiston
- Population of 37,121 in 2020
- Second largest city in the state of Maine
- Overall low cost of living, substantial access to medical care, and a relatively low violent-crime rate
- Home to Central Maine Medical Center, St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, and CMMC Emergency Department
- The average nurse practitioner in Lewiston, Maine makes $111,530 a year or $53.62 an hour
| Hourly | $53.62 |
| Yearly | $111,530 |
Bangor
- Population of 31,753 in 2020
- Third-largest settlement in the state of Maine
- Economy is based on education, services and retail, and healthcare
- Home to St. Joseph Hospital, Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center, and Easter Main Medical Center Bangor, Maine
- The average nurse practitioner in Bangor, Maine makes $105,371 per year or $50.65 per hour
| Hourly | $50.65 |
| Yearly | $105,371 |
South Portland
- Population of 26,498 in 2020
- Fourth-largest city in the state of Maine
- Home to Maine Medical Center, Northern Light Mercy Hospital, and The Castle Medical Center
- The average nurse practitioner in South Portland, Maine makes $112,683 per year or $54.17 per hour
| Hourly | $54.17 |
| Yearly | $112,683 |
Auburn
- Population of 24,061 in 2020
- Located in south-central Maine
- Home to Central Maine Medical Center, St. Mary’s Auburn Campus, and St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center
- The average nurse practitioner salary in Auburn, Maine is $111,530 per year or $53.62 per hour
| Hourly | $53.62 |
| Yearly | $111,530 |
| City | Hourly Salary | Yearly Salary |
| Auburn | $53.62 | $111,530 |
| Augusta | $51.87 | $107,874 |
| Bangor | $50.65 | $105,371 |
| Biddeford | $54.13 | $112,607 |
| Brunswick | $53.62 | $111,530 |
| Falmouth | $54.17 | $112,683 |
| Gorham | $54.17 | $112,683 |
| Kennebunk | $54.98 | $114,379 |
| Lewiston | $53.62 | $111,530 |
| Orono | $50.65 | $105,371 |
| Portland | $54.17 | $112,683 |
| Saco | $54.13 | $112,607 |
| Sanford | $55.53 | $115,505 |
| Scarborough | $54.17 | $112,683 |
| South Portland | $54.17 | $112,683 |
| Standish | $54.13 | $112,607 |
| Waterville | $50.65 | $105,371 |
| Wells | $55.53 | $115,505 |
| Westbrook | $54.17 | $112,683 |
| Windham | $54.13 | $112,607 |
| York | $56.76 | $118,068 |
Maine Nurse Practitioner Highest Paying Companies
| Company | Yearly Salary | Hourly Salary | |
| 1 | Woundtech | $1,187,234 | $570.78 |
| 2 | Signify Health | $479,554 | $230,55 |
| 3 | INNOVATIVE HEALTH | $289,930 | $139.38 |
| 4 | Canna Care Docs | $244,941 | $117.76 |
| 5 | UCLA Health | $165,800 | $79.71 |
| 6 | Molina Healthcare | $153,034 | $73.57 |
| 7 | Northwell Health | $150,141 | $72.18 |
| 8 | Dignity Health | $149,968 | $70.65 |
| 9 | Wound Care Plus, LLC | $146,965 | $70.65 |
| 10 | Acadia Healthcare | $146,534 | $70.44 |
Maine Nurse Practitioner Salary Compared To Other Nursing Careers
It is estimated that nurse practitioners in Maine earn on average more than nurses in virtually every other nursing career path combined. There is a 41 percent difference between the average salary of nurse practitioners in Maine and the average salary of registered nurses without a graduate degree.
In Maine, nurse practitioners can expect to earn an average salary of more than twice as much as licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs). However, it is estimated that they are expected to make 38 percent less than their peers who are certified registered nurse anesthetists.
If one considers the time and the financial commitment that one has to make in order to complete their schooling, one can determine that they are compensated considerably more than their peers for the effort that they have put into their education.
| Occupation | Average Yearly Salary |
| Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) | $173,820 |
| Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) | $122,620 |
| Nurse Practitioner (NP) | $115,043 |
| Nursing School Professor/Educator | $82,850 |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | $80,670 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) | $55,360 |
| Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) | $35,210 |
Maine Nurse Practitioner Salary Compared To Other Healthcare Careers
There is a significant difference in salaries between nurse practitioners and dentists, optometrists, podiatrists, and pharmacists in Maine.
Compared to higher-paid healthcare professionals, nurse practitioners in Maine earn less because they graduate from Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs, while these higher-paid healthcare professionals are doctoral graduates.
In 2004, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) recommended that the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree become the terminal degree for nurse practitioners. The salary of nurse practitioners is likely to increase if this happens.
On average, dentists in Maine earn $184,550 per year, the highest among healthcare professionals. A chiropractor in Maine makes $75,670 per year on average, which is at the lower end of the spectrum among healthcare professionals.
The nurse practitioner salary average in Maine is $115,043 per year, which is slightly higher than the average salary for all healthcare professionals in Maine.
| Occupation | Average Yearly Salary |
| Dentist | $184,550 |
| Podiatrist | $161,250 |
| Optometrist | $125,040 |
| Pharmacist | $125,040 |
| Physician Assistant (PA) | $119,380 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $115,043 |
| Veterinarian | $98,690 |
| Speech Therapist | $93,460 |
| Occupational Therapist (OT) | $93,250 |
| Audiologist | $93,160 |
| Physical Therapist (PT) | $89,870 |
| Chiropractor | $75,670 |
Maine Nurse Practitioner Future
As far as job prospects are concerned, nurse practitioners have a very promising future in Maine. During the next five years, it is estimated that the salary potential for nurse practitioners in Maine will increase by 11%. The estimated salary for nurse practitioners in Maine is projected to be $133,729 by the year 2027.
There will be a need for a greater number of physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and physicians in Maine, especially in rural areas, because of the growth in the population. Nursing practitioners have the ability to contribute significantly to meeting this need in a number of areas.
It is expected that Maine’s nurse practitioners will earn competitive salaries due to the supply and demand issue that exists in the state. It is expected that Maine’s nurse practitioners will earn competitive salaries due to the supply and demand issue that exists in the state.
Conclusion
There are a number of factors to take into consideration when determining a nurse practitioner’s salary that have been discussed in this article.
In Maine, if you choose to become a nurse practitioner, you have a variety of options to choose from when making this beautiful state your home. There is a possibility that Maine can be an attractive place for nurse practitioners to settle when searching for a new job.
A nurse practitioner can make a positive impact on a number of people’s lives by providing quality care. It is possible for you to challenge yourself in a variety of ways when you feel burnt out, and there is a multitude of nurse practitioner specialties and subspecialties that can offer you that challenge.
Written by Joanne Potter
Joanne, BSN and RN, is a writer that specializes in health and wellness. She has fifteen years of experience as a Registered Nurse in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). Her years working at the bedside and extensive neonatal knowledge enable her to write with a deep understanding of what patients and families want from their communities. Visit her LinkedIn page.
Sources:
Maine.gov
Visit Maine
Maine History Online
SalaryExpert
Healthgrades
careeronestop
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
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