How much does a Lawyer make in Maine?

The average Lawyer salary in Maine is around $165,000 per year. After federal taxes, FICA, and Maine state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $113,363 annually ($9,447/month).

What is the take-home pay for a Lawyer in Maine?

On a $165,000 salary in Maine, your take-home pay is approximately $113,363/year or $9,447/month. Federal tax: $28,334. State tax: $10,681. FICA: $0.00.

Is $165,000 a good Lawyer salary?

$165,000 is a strong salary for a Lawyer — above the national median. In Maine, demand for this role is active.

How do Maine taxes affect Lawyer salaries?

Maine levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $165,000 is $10,681. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 31.3%.

What are the career growth prospects for Lawyers?

8% growth through 2032 (faster than average). Related roles include: Attorney, Corporate Counsel, Public Defender, Paralegal.

How can a Lawyer in Maine reduce their tax bill?

Maximize your 401(k) contribution ($24,500 in 2026) to reduce taxable income. An HSA ($4,400 single / $8,750 family) adds further pre-tax savings. These strategies can save thousands annually — use our calculator to see your exact savings.

Legal

Lawyer Salary in Maine (2026)

The average Lawyer in Maine earns around $165,000/year. After taxes, your estimated take-home is $113,363/year ($9,447/month).

Take-Home Pay Breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$113,363
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$9,447
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$4,360
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$55/hr
Federal Tax	$28,334
State Tax	$10,681
FICA Taxes	$12,623
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	31.3%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

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Lawyer Salary Ranges in Maine

Entry Level (0–3 yrs)

$95,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Mid Level (3–7 yrs)

$165,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Senior Level (7+ yrs)

$280,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Not all Lawyers earn the same — not even close

Maine's legal market is anchored by Verrill Dana Portland (largest ME-HQ law firm ~150+ attorneys + founded 1862 + the substantial Verrill Dana corporate + tax + estate + employment + healthcare + maritime law), Pierce Atwood Portland (substantial ME-HQ ~140+ attorneys + multi-state Northern New England), Bernstein Shur Portland + Eaton Peabody Bangor + Drummond Woodsum Portland + Norman Hanson DeTroy Portland + Skelton Taintor Abbott Auburn + Murray Plumb Murray Portland (substantial ME mid-size practices), the substantial ME lobster industry legal practice (DMR + Maine Lobstermen's Association + post-2020 ME lobster post-right-whale regulatory litigation), the substantial Boston commute corridor for senior ME legal talent + Mass General Brigham ME affiliations, University of Maine School of Law Portland (the only ME ABA-accredited law school + ~120 JDs/yr).

Partner (Verrill Dana / Pierce Atwood)

$285,000–$685,000+ profit share

ME-HQ partner · largest ME practices + corporate + tax + estate + healthcare law

Partner (Bernstein Shur / Drummond Woodsum)

$215,000–$485,000+ profit share

ME mid-size law firm partner · Portland + Bangor commercial + litigation

Senior ME Maritime / Lobster Industry Lawyer

$155,000–$345,000+ bonus

ME maritime + lobster industry + DMR + right-whale regulatory + Gulf of Maine

Senior In-House Counsel (WEX / IDEXX)

$185,000–$365,000+ TC

WEX Portland + IDEXX Westbrook + L.L. Bean + MaineHealth · in-house GC

Senior In-House Counsel (Cleared / BIW / Pratt & Whitney)

$195,000–$385,000+ TC

BIW + Pratt & Whitney + Portsmouth Naval Shipyard · cleared defense GC + DCSA

Senior ME Estate Lawyer (Post-2020 UHNW Migration)

$175,000–$365,000+ bonus

ME estate planning · post-2020 ME UHNW migration + post-2024 ME estate tax adjustment

AUSA / DOJ Federal Prosecutor

$135,000–$215,000

US Attorney District of Maine Portland + Bangor · GS-14/15 federal prosecutor

Senior Public Defender / DA

$72,000–$118,000

ME County prosecutor + Public Defender · Cumberland + Penobscot + York County

Mid-Level Associate (3-6 yrs)

$95,000–$148,000+ bonus

Mid-level at ME firms · transitioning to senior band

Junior Associate (0-3 yrs)

$72,000–$118,000+ bonus

UMaine Law + Boston commute pipeline · entry ME band

Worth knowing: Maine lobster industry + post-2020 right-whale regulatory litigation + the substantial ME maritime law specialty is one of the country's distinctive concentrated US single-state maritime + lobster industry legal practice anchor and a feature most national legal surveys understate for ME. The substantial ME maritime + lobster industry legal practice (the substantial Maine lobster ~80%+ of US lobster supply + the substantial Maine Lobstermen's Association legal advocacy + the substantial Maine Department of Marine Resources DMR + the substantial post-2020 ME lobster post-right-whale regulatory litigation including the substantial post-2021 Maine Lobstermen's Association v. NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service litigation + the substantial post-2024 ME lobster Whale Safe Gear regulatory pressure + the substantial ME maritime law + the substantial Gulf of Maine commercial fishing law + the substantial ME aquaculture law + the substantial ME post-2020 substantial salmon farming + mussel farming legal work) supports distinctive ME maritime + lobster legal practice. Senior ME maritime + lobster industry lawyers clear $155-345K+ bonus. Verrill Dana Portland (largest ME-HQ + founded 1862 + the substantial Verrill Dana corporate + tax + estate + employment + healthcare + maritime + lobster industry law) + Pierce Atwood Portland (substantial ME-HQ + multi-state Northern New England + the substantial Pierce Atwood maritime + lobster industry law) + Bernstein Shur + Eaton Peabody + Drummond Woodsum + Norman Hanson DeTroy + UMaine School of Law Portland. ME progressive top 7.15% + ME is NOT a RTW state + post-2024 ME estate tax exemption $6.8M anchor the ME legal proposition.