Online Data Science Degree in Maine: Salary, Schools & Outlook (2026)

Quick answer: Maine employs about 1,210 data scientists (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing runs through the institution’s accreditor. Programs, the careers this degree opens, and what they pay are below.

Compare data science programs enrolling now:

Licensing and Credentials in Maine

Data science carries no state licence and no programmatic accreditor of its own. The credential that matters is the depth of the statistics sequence and a portfolio of real modelling work. Most accredited programs sit at master’s level; the bachelor’s tier is thinner.

Requirements are set at state level and are amended periodically. Before you enroll in any program, confirm with the institution’s accreditor that the specific program you are considering satisfies the education requirement, and ask what it accepts from any training you have already completed. Get the answer in writing.

Earning the Degree While You Work

Most people reading this already have a job in the field, and the practical question is whether the credential can be earned without leaving it. Programs designed for working adults deliver the academic portion online or in the evening, while any labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience happen in person and locally. Prior college credit, military training, apprenticeship coursework and industry certifications can all shorten the path, so request a written transfer credit evaluation before you commit to any school.

Schools Near You

Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.

How we rank schools – graduation rate, graduate earnings, cost and retention. Advertising plays no part.

This page lists 3 schools within 81 miles, closest group first, then ordered by BOC Score with the highest at the top. 3 of them carry a score.

Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate how often students finish
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry whether it paid off
25%
Average net price what students actually pay after aid; lower ranks higher
20%
Retention rate how many come back for year two
15%
Fully online availability whether you can study while working
10%

Scores come from IPEDS (2024) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are for all graduates of a school, not one program, so treat them as a signal about the institution rather than about this subject. Sponsored listings are paid placements and are labelled as such; they are separate from this ranking and never change it. Read the full methodology.

#1

University of Maine

Orono, ME 52.9 miles away BOC Score 53.8
Tuition $13,326 - $36,756
Contact
Key stats
  • Admission rate: 96.6%
  • Graduation rate: 55.7%
  • Programs offered: 21
  • Annual completions: 321
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $63,056 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

University of New England

Biddeford, ME 81.3 miles away BOC Score 53.3
Tuition $44,210 - $63,245
Contact
Key stats
  • Admission rate: 91.6%
  • Graduation rate: 64.5%
  • Programs offered: 11
  • Annual completions: 162
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $71,281 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

University of Maine at Augusta

Augusta, ME 14.9 miles away BOC Score 35.8
Tuition $8,888 - $22,178
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 25.4%
  • Programs offered: 31
  • Annual completions: 304
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $51,475 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

What Data Scientists Earn in Maine

Data Scientists in Maine earn a median $90,880 per year, below the national median of $120,230 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Data Science Pay and Employment in Maine at a Glance

MetricMaineNationalSource
Median annual wage$90,880$120,230BLS OEWS, May 2025
10th percentile$60,280$67,240BLS OEWS, May 2025
25th percentile$77,340$85,660BLS OEWS, May 2025
75th percentile$115,170$158,880BLS OEWS, May 2025
90th percentile$138,530$199,130BLS OEWS, May 2025
Employment1,210262,440BLS OEWS, May 2025
Location quotient1.121.00BLS OEWS, May 2025
Projected change (2024-34)not published by state33.5%BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34

How Maine Pay Compares to the Rest of the Country

The Maine median of $90,880 sits below the national median of $120,230 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Percentiles matter more than the midpoint when you are deciding whether a degree pays for itself: the 10th percentile is roughly where people start, and the 90th is what the top of the local market looks like after years of experience.

A location quotient of 1.12 puts Maine slightly above the national average, so the occupation is a little more common here than in the typical state (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The measure compares how concentrated the occupation is here against the national average of 1.00.

Where the Jobs Are in Maine

Metro areaMedian annual wageEmployment
Portland$97,840620
Lewiston$81,57070

Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Data science hiring follows the same technology and corporate concentrations as software, with health systems and finance adding demand in metros that are not technology hubs

Data Scientists Wages by Metro Area in Maine

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), data scientists wages in Maine vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Portland-South Portland620$97,840$102,400$65,410$153,140
Lewiston-Auburn70$81,570$88,880$56,180$128,680
Bangor60N/AN/AN/AN/A

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

All Maine Metro Areas With Published Data

Portland


Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do data scientists make in Maine?

The median annual wage for data scientists in Maine is $90,880, below the national median of $120,230 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle of the range runs from $77,340 at the 25th percentile to $115,170 at the 75th.

How many data scientists work in Maine?

Maine holds about 1,210 data scientist jobs (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Nationally the occupation employs 262,440, and BLS projects about 23,400 openings per year through 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).

Do I need a license to work as a data scientist in Maine?

Data science carries no state licence and no programmatic accreditor of its own. The credential that matters is the depth of the statistics sequence and a portfolio of real modelling work. Most accredited programs sit at master's level; the bachelor's tier is thinner. Requirements are set at the state level and change periodically, so confirm the current rules with the institution's accreditor before you enroll in any program.

Can I earn a data science degree online while working in Maine?

Often yes. Programs built for working adults deliver coursework online or in the evenings, though any required labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience are completed in person. Confirm that the program's accreditation satisfies the institution's accreditor.

What is the highest-paying area of Maine for data scientists?

Among Maine metro areas with published data, Portland reports the highest median at $97,840 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Is Maine a good state for data scientists?

On pay, the state median of $90,880 sits below the national $120,230 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A location quotient of 1.12 means the occupation is more concentrated here than in the average state. Weigh that against cost of living and how concentrated the work is near where you actually want to live.

Sources

  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Data Scientists (SOC 15-2051), national, state and metropolitan estimates
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.