Jobs that lost the most to inflation in Maine

Every occupation here is paid more in dollars than it was in 2019 and less in what those dollars buy. Prices rose about 26% over the period; these wages did not keep up. Limited to occupations employing at least 50,000 people.

Cost of living: prices in Maine run 3.0% below the national average (2024), so a Maine salary is worth about 1.03× its face value in national terms. That scales every wage here by the same factor — it changes what the numbers mean, not their order. To see where a job pays a real premium, use jobs that pay more in Maine.

Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Cost of living: BEA regional price parities, 2024

Find high paying jobs in Maine

OccupationMedian, Maine · Real change since 2019

1Private Detectives and Investigators$43,830
High school diploma or equivalent
$36,550 – $67,230-32.1%-14.4% nominal
2Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels$72,770
Postsecondary nondegree award
$47,640 – $104,240-28.6%-10.1% nominal
3Editors$50,180
Bachelor's degree
$33,170 – $121,320-23.9%-4.2% nominal
4Conveyor Operators and Tenders$38,310
No formal educational credential
$35,680 – $66,920-23.0%-3.1% nominal
5Medical Equipment Repairers$61,810
Associate's degree
$41,670 – $94,550-22.2%-2.0% nominal
6Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education$52,660
Bachelor's degree
$45,350 – $79,290-22.0%-1.8% nominal
7Architects, Except Landscape and Naval$78,600
Bachelor's degree
$51,920 – $123,790-19.3%+1.7% nominal
8Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors$58,880
Bachelor's degree
$54,840 – $76,580-19.3%+1.7% nominal
9Management Analysts$75,530
Bachelor's degree
$61,980 – $126,450-19.2%+1.7% nominal
10Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$57,050
Master's degree
$45,870 – $96,370-19.2%+1.7% nominal
11Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators$59,490
No formal educational credential
$47,440 – $75,280-18.8%+2.3% nominal
12Pharmacists$140,930
Doctoral or professional degree
$101,360 – $166,810-18.7%+2.4% nominal
13Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$61,720
Postsecondary nondegree award
$48,780 – $91,310-16.2%+5.5% nominal
14Logisticians$77,780
Bachelor's degree
$50,420 – $108,320-15.8%+6.0% nominal
15Rehabilitation Counselors$51,150
Master's degree
$38,550 – $74,410-15.7%+6.1% nominal
16Computer Network Architects$108,570
Bachelor's degree
$83,990 – $158,480-14.8%+7.3% nominal
17Postsecondary Teachers, All Other$59,950
Doctoral or professional degree
$38,640 – $105,390-14.8%+7.3% nominal
18Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$63,960
High school diploma or equivalent
$42,690 – $107,460-13.8%+8.5% nominal
19Machine Feeders and Offbearers$32,310
No formal educational credential
$32,310 – $46,280-13.8%+8.6% nominal
20Special Education Teachers, Middle School$63,440
Bachelor's degree
$47,560 – $81,550-13.6%+8.8% nominal
21Butchers and Meat Cutters$38,250
No formal educational credential
$34,780 – $57,670-12.4%+10.3% nominal
22Dietitians and Nutritionists$64,610
Bachelor's degree
$35,360 – $129,180-12.1%+10.7% nominal
23Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$60,930
High school diploma or equivalent
$45,550 – $102,430-12.1%+10.6% nominal
24Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$55,540
High school diploma or equivalent
$39,420 – $80,430-12.1%+10.7% nominal
25Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians$63,070
Associate's degree
$41,600 – $94,370-11.9%+10.9% nominal
26Marine Engineers and Naval Architects$100,430
Bachelor's degree
$79,370 – $130,480-11.7%+11.2% nominal
27Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$60,200
High school diploma or equivalent
$35,200 – $92,100-11.6%+11.4% nominal
28Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$63,590
Bachelor's degree
$47,640 – $80,650-11.5%+11.5% nominal
29Network and Computer Systems Administrators$83,890
Bachelor's degree
$61,530 – $121,430-10.9%+12.2% nominal
30Computer Network Support Specialists$72,990
Associate's degree
$44,930 – $89,610-10.8%+12.3% nominal
31Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders$39,850
High school diploma or equivalent
$31,450 – $48,740-10.6%+12.6% nominal
32Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers$49,610
Some college, no degree
$38,530 – $73,860-10.5%+12.7% nominal
33Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$59,970
Bachelor's degree
$49,100 – $177,170-10.4%+12.9% nominal
34Education Administrators, Postsecondary$88,180
Master's degree
$63,360 – $178,200-10.2%+13.0% nominal
35Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$58,630
Master's degree
$45,300 – $82,460-9.9%+13.5% nominal
36New Accounts Clerks$47,420
High school diploma or equivalent
$44,450 – $57,980-9.9%+13.4% nominal
37Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$71,980
Bachelor's degree
$43,310 – $127,200-9.9%+13.4% nominal
38Biological Technicians$60,160
Bachelor's degree
$46,450 – $79,510-9.7%+13.7% nominal
39Chefs and Head Cooks$57,010
High school diploma or equivalent
$48,430 – $81,120-9.7%+13.7% nominal
40Ophthalmic Medical Technicians$48,120
Postsecondary nondegree award
$39,370 – $61,230-9.1%+14.5% nominal
41Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents$63,290
Bachelor's degree
$49,630 – $113,760-8.8%+14.9% nominal
42Opticians, Dispensing$47,220
High school diploma or equivalent
$39,110 – $60,190-8.6%+15.1% nominal
43Information Security Analysts$101,730
Bachelor's degree
$63,210 – $181,020-8.5%+15.2% nominal
44Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare$60,090
Bachelor's degree
$42,870 – $77,000-8.5%+15.2% nominal
45Physician Assistants$131,170
Master's degree
$107,630 – $169,250-8.5%+15.3% nominal
46Cost Estimators$74,080
Bachelor's degree
$41,450 – $123,040-8.3%+15.5% nominal
47Librarians and Media Collections Specialists$59,540
Master's degree
$36,580 – $83,640-8.2%+15.6% nominal
48Environmental Engineers$93,930
Bachelor's degree
$69,310 – $139,510-8.0%+15.9% nominal
49Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary$103,090
Doctoral or professional degree
$57,440 – $280,750-7.9%+16.0% nominal
50Training and Development Specialists$65,680
Bachelor's degree
$48,210 – $112,940-7.8%+16.1% nominal

Bars run from the 10th to the 90th percentile; the middle half is shaded darker, and the tick is the median.

#	Occupation	MedianMaine	10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker	Real change since 2019
1	Private Detectives and InvestigatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$43,830	$36,550 – $67,230	-32.1%-14.4% nominal
2	Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water VesselsPostsecondary nondegree award	$72,770	$47,640 – $104,240	-28.6%-10.1% nominal
3	EditorsBachelor's degree	$50,180	$33,170 – $121,320	-23.9%-4.2% nominal
4	Conveyor Operators and TendersNo formal educational credential	$38,310	$35,680 – $66,920	-23.0%-3.1% nominal
5	Medical Equipment RepairersAssociate's degree	$61,810	$41,670 – $94,550	-22.2%-2.0% nominal
6	Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special EducationBachelor's degree	$52,660	$45,350 – $79,290	-22.0%-1.8% nominal
7	Architects, Except Landscape and NavalBachelor's degree	$78,600	$51,920 – $123,790	-19.3%+1.7% nominal
8	Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language InstructorsBachelor's degree	$58,880	$54,840 – $76,580	-19.3%+1.7% nominal
9	Management AnalystsBachelor's degree	$75,530	$61,980 – $126,450	-19.2%+1.7% nominal
10	Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social WorkersMaster's degree	$57,050	$45,870 – $96,370	-19.2%+1.7% nominal
11	Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine OperatorsNo formal educational credential	$59,490	$47,440 – $75,280	-18.8%+2.3% nominal
12	PharmacistsDoctoral or professional degree	$140,930	$101,360 – $166,810	-18.7%+2.4% nominal
13	Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line InstallersPostsecondary nondegree award	$61,720	$48,780 – $91,310	-16.2%+5.5% nominal
14	LogisticiansBachelor's degree	$77,780	$50,420 – $108,320	-15.8%+6.0% nominal
15	Rehabilitation CounselorsMaster's degree	$51,150	$38,550 – $74,410	-15.7%+6.1% nominal
16	Computer Network ArchitectsBachelor's degree	$108,570	$83,990 – $158,480	-14.8%+7.3% nominal
17	Postsecondary Teachers, All OtherDoctoral or professional degree	$59,950	$38,640 – $105,390	-14.8%+7.3% nominal
18	Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific ProductsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$63,960	$42,690 – $107,460	-13.8%+8.5% nominal
19	Machine Feeders and OffbearersNo formal educational credential	$32,310	$32,310 – $46,280	-13.8%+8.6% nominal
20	Special Education Teachers, Middle SchoolBachelor's degree	$63,440	$47,560 – $81,550	-13.6%+8.8% nominal
21	Butchers and Meat CuttersNo formal educational credential	$38,250	$34,780 – $57,670	-12.4%+10.3% nominal
22	Dietitians and NutritionistsBachelor's degree	$64,610	$35,360 – $129,180	-12.1%+10.7% nominal
23	Property, Real Estate, and Community Association ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$60,930	$45,550 – $102,430	-12.1%+10.6% nominal
24	Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$55,540	$39,420 – $80,430	-12.1%+10.7% nominal
25	Industrial Engineering Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree	$63,070	$41,600 – $94,370	-11.9%+10.9% nominal
26	Marine Engineers and Naval ArchitectsBachelor's degree	$100,430	$79,370 – $130,480	-11.7%+11.2% nominal
27	Production, Planning, and Expediting ClerksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$60,200	$35,200 – $92,100	-11.6%+11.4% nominal
28	Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical EducationBachelor's degree	$63,590	$47,640 – $80,650	-11.5%+11.5% nominal
29	Network and Computer Systems AdministratorsBachelor's degree	$83,890	$61,530 – $121,430	-10.9%+12.2% nominal
30	Computer Network Support SpecialistsAssociate's degree	$72,990	$44,930 – $89,610	-10.8%+12.3% nominal
31	Shoe Machine Operators and TendersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$39,850	$31,450 – $48,740	-10.6%+12.6% nominal
32	Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine RepairersSome college, no degree	$49,610	$38,530 – $73,860	-10.5%+12.7% nominal
33	Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales AgentsBachelor's degree	$59,970	$49,100 – $177,170	-10.4%+12.9% nominal
34	Education Administrators, PostsecondaryMaster's degree	$88,180	$63,360 – $178,200	-10.2%+13.0% nominal
35	Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and AdvisorsMaster's degree	$58,630	$45,300 – $82,460	-9.9%+13.5% nominal
36	New Accounts ClerksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$47,420	$44,450 – $57,980	-9.9%+13.4% nominal
37	Market Research Analysts and Marketing SpecialistsBachelor's degree	$71,980	$43,310 – $127,200	-9.9%+13.4% nominal
38	Biological TechniciansBachelor's degree	$60,160	$46,450 – $79,510	-9.7%+13.7% nominal
39	Chefs and Head CooksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$57,010	$48,430 – $81,120	-9.7%+13.7% nominal
40	Ophthalmic Medical TechniciansPostsecondary nondegree award	$48,120	$39,370 – $61,230	-9.1%+14.5% nominal
41	Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue AgentsBachelor's degree	$63,290	$49,630 – $113,760	-8.8%+14.9% nominal
42	Opticians, DispensingHigh school diploma or equivalent	$47,220	$39,110 – $60,190	-8.6%+15.1% nominal
43	Information Security AnalystsBachelor's degree	$101,730	$63,210 – $181,020	-8.5%+15.2% nominal
44	Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and DaycareBachelor's degree	$60,090	$42,870 – $77,000	-8.5%+15.2% nominal
45	Physician AssistantsMaster's degree	$131,170	$107,630 – $169,250	-8.5%+15.3% nominal
46	Cost EstimatorsBachelor's degree	$74,080	$41,450 – $123,040	-8.3%+15.5% nominal
47	Librarians and Media Collections SpecialistsMaster's degree	$59,540	$36,580 – $83,640	-8.2%+15.6% nominal
48	Environmental EngineersBachelor's degree	$93,930	$69,310 – $139,510	-8.0%+15.9% nominal
49	Health Specialties Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$103,090	$57,440 – $280,750	-7.9%+16.0% nominal
50	Training and Development SpecialistsBachelor's degree	$65,680	$48,210 – $112,940	-7.8%+16.1% nominal

More for Maine

Metro areas in Maine

Pay varies more between metros than between states — the spread inside one state is often wider than the gap between two.

By field in Maine

Without a degree

The same fields, narrowed to what you can enter without one. Fields missing here have too few such occupations in Maine to rank honestly.

Jobs that lost the most to inflation in Maine

More for Maine

Metro areas in Maine

By field in Maine

Without a degree

Jobs that lost the most to inflation in each state