ER Travel Nurse Salary in Portland, Maine
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Emergency Room travel nurses heading to Portland.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (ER)
$50/hr
Portland, ME
Total Weekly Package
$3,326
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,702
After ~31.15% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: ER in Portland
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$3,637/mo
$120/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,300/mo
COL index: 112.5
Monthly Margin
+2,337/mo
Stipend covers rent
Maine ER Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for ER travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$2,003
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,323
Annual Potential
$104,151
Tax estimate: 7.15% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your ER Pay in Portland
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Portland's GSA rates and cost of living index of 112.5.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
Same state assignment. You'll pay 7.15% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$81.78
Based on 36 hours in ME.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,944
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,656
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$516
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,428
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$31,566
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$63,132
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$126,264
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,428
per week
Taxes
$516
per week
Total Gross: $2,944 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$840
≈ $3,637/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Maine
$1,100
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$2,537
Your stipend covers rent with $2,537 left over each month.
Find apartments under $1,100/month in Portland:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Maine
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Maine's cost of living is higher than the national average by 8.1 points.
Housing Cost: Moderate
Utilities: High
Rent data based on 2025 market averages. Actual rent may vary by neighborhood and housing type.
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2026 GSA Per Diem Rates — Portland
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for ER travel nurses working in Portland. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$120/night
$840/week
Meals & Incidentals
$69/day
$483/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,323
Tax-free stipend ceiling
Source: U.S. General Services Administration (GSA.gov) 2026 per diem rates. City-specific rates apply when the work location is more than 50 miles from your tax home.
Requirements for ER Travel Nurses in Maine
ER Certifications Required
- ACLS
- BLS
- PALS
- 2+ years ER experience
- TNCC preferred
Maine Licensing
Hospitals Hiring ER Travel Nurses in Portland
- Maine Medical Center
- Mercy Hospital
- Northern Light Health
Other Specialties in Portland
ICU
~$51/hr
Very HighOR
~$52/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$48/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$45/hr
Very HighPACU
~$49/hr
HighNICU
~$50/hr
HighPICU
~$51/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$45/hr
ModerateOncology
~$47/hr
HighOther Maine Cities for ER Travel Nurses
View all Maine cities →Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ER travel nurses make in Portland?
Emergency Room travel nurses in Portland earn approximately $50/hr in taxable wages ($2,003/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,323/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,326. Annual potential is $104,151 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Portland?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Portland are: Lodging $120/night, Meals $64/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,323. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Portland affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Portland is 112.5 (above the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,300/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$3,637/month, leaving a surplus of $2,337/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do ER travel nurses need for Maine assignments?
Emergency Room travel nurses need: ACLS, BLS, PALS, 2+ years ER experience, TNCC preferred. For Maine specifically: Maine is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Portland without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Portland hire ER travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Portland that hire Emergency Room travel nurses include: Maine Medical Center, Mercy Hospital, Northern Light Health. ER is in very high demand nationally — facilities in Portland actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.
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