Portland-South Portland, ME · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Retail Salesperson Salary in Portland-South Portland, ME

In the Portland-South Portland, ME metropolitan area, retail salespersons earned a median annual wage of $38,500 ($18.51/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $32,900/year and the 90th was $52,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Maine tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $32,100 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 101.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$38,500$18.51 per hour · $3,208 monthly
10th Percentile$32,900$15.82/hr base
25th Percentile$36,400$17.50/hr base
75th Percentile$45,400$21.83/hr base
90th Percentile$52,000$25.00/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$38,500
$15,000$80,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$38,500
Net 83%
Fed 6%
ME 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$32,100After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,675Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,235Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,440 / yr
Maine state income tax$1,015 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,945 / yr

Retail Salespersons Wage Percentiles in Portland-South Portland, ME

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Retail Salespersons in the Portland-South Portland, ME Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (ME)
10th Percentile$15.82/hr$2,742$32,900$27,925
25th Percentile$17.50/hr$3,033$36,400$30,534
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$18.51/hr$3,208$38,500$32,100
75th Percentile$21.83/hr$3,783$45,400$37,244
90th Percentile$25.00/hr$4,333$52,000$42,130

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Portland-South Portland, ME

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$38,500 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$92,175Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index101.91.9% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio41.8%of area median income

Compare retail salespersons salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Maine:

Frequently Asked Questions About Retail Salespersons Pay in Portland-South Portland, ME

What is the median salary for retail salespersons in Portland-South Portland, ME?

The official BLS median annual wage for retail salespersons in Portland-South Portland, ME is $38,500, which equates to approximately $3,208 per month or $18.51 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for retail salespersons in Portland-South Portland, ME?

The median hourly wage for retail salespersons in Portland-South Portland, ME is $18.51 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $15.82/hour and one in ten earned more than $25.00/hour.

What is the pay range for retail salespersons in Portland-South Portland, ME?

BLS wage estimates for retail salespersons in Portland-South Portland, ME span from $32,900 at the 10th percentile to $36,400 at the 25th, $45,400 at the 75th, and $52,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do retail salespersons take home after taxes in Portland-South Portland, ME?

On a median gross salary of $38,500, an estimated $32,100 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,235 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Maine in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,400 (an effective rate of 16.6%).

How much do retail salespersons make per month in Portland-South Portland, ME?

On the median annual salary of $38,500, gross monthly income is $3,208. After federal, FICA, and Maine state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,675 per month (or $1,235 every two weeks).

Is $38,500 a good salary in Portland-South Portland, ME?

At $38,500, the median salary for retail salespersons is 41.8% of the Portland-South Portland, ME median household income ($92,175). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 101.9, making regional consumer goods and services 1.9% more expensive than the U.S. average.