How to Become a Bookkeeper in Maine (2026)

Q: How much do bookkeepers earn in Maine?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), bookkeepers in Maine earned a median annual wage of approximately $50,510. Employment concentration in Maine is about 1.31 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: What is the job outlook for bookkeepers in Maine?

Maine currently employs approximately 7,390 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -5.8% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Maine bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks earn a median annual wage of $50,510 ($24.28/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 7,390 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -0.3% below the national median of $50,670 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $50,510 ($24.28/hr)
25th percentile: $45,100 per year
75th percentile: $60,210 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $69,990 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $40,000 per year
Workers employed in Maine: 7,390
Versus national median: -0.3% below the U.S. median of $50,670
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.31 - this occupation is more concentrated in Maine than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Maine employs about 7,390 bookkeepers earning a median $50,510 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most bookkeepers train through an approved program before entering the field in Maine.

Compare Bookkeeper Schools in Maine

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition (published, per year)	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Massachusetts Bay Community College	58.1	$5,856 in-state / $10,800 out-of-state	$56,076	17%	Yes*	218 mi
2	Quinsigamond Community College	58.1	$6,262 in-state / $11,206 out-of-state	$55,076	22%	Yes*	232 mi
3	Cape Cod Community College	56.8	$6,000 in-state / $10,944 out-of-state	$54,922	22%	Yes*	242 mi
4	Bunker Hill Community College	55.2	$6,168 in-state / $11,112 out-of-state	$56,376	13%	Yes*	210 mi
5	Greenfield Community College	54.3	$5,810 in-state / $11,930 out-of-state	$52,747	31%	Yes*	242 mi
6	Mount Wachusett Community College	53.3	$6,160 in-state / $11,080 out-of-state	$53,977	24%	Yes*	221 mi
7	SUNY Adirondack	51.3	$6,844 in-state / $9,616 out-of-state	$44,935	37%	Yes*	250 mi
8	Nashua Community College	49.0	$7,140 in-state / $15,390 out-of-state	$54,792	38%	Yes*	196 mi
9	North Shore Community College	46.7	$5,352 in-state / $10,920 out-of-state	$54,714	18%	—	194 mi
10	Clinton Community College	45.6	$6,831	$45,905	37%	Yes*	209 mi

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Maine employs approximately 7,390 bookkeepers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $50,510 ¹. The state’s concentration of bookkeeper jobs is 1.31x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, bookkeeper employment is projected to grow -5.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 170,000 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a Bookkeeper in Maine, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school or community college
Typical timeline: varies by program; confirm with the school
Median wage (Maine): $50,510 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Bookkeeper in Maine

How to become a Bookkeeper in Maine? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for bookkeepers in Maine.

How long does it take? bookkeeper training length in Maine varies by program. Confirm current requirements with the school and the state board before you enroll.

What do bookkeepers earn in Maine? The median annual wage for bookkeepers in Maine is $50,510 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $40,000 and experienced professionals can earn $69,990 or more ¹.

How to Become a Bookkeeper in Maine

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Maine training programs require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
Complete an approved training program. Enroll in an approved bookkeeper program in Maine that combines classroom instruction with supervised practice.
Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to bookkeepers in Maine before you start working.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Bookkeeper Wages by Metro Area in Maine

Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks Wages by Metro Area in Maine

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks wages in Maine vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Portland-South Portland	2,670	$54,610	$56,550	$43,520	$71,990
Bangor	780	$49,000	$52,410	$39,510	$66,500
Lewiston-Auburn	540	$50,230	$53,810	$40,480	$70,810

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 .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for bookkeepers in Maine? Maine currently employs approximately 7,390 bookkeepers ¹. Nationally, bookkeeper employment is projected to grow -5.8% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in Maine? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Maine.

How much do bookkeepers earn in Maine compared to the national average? The median annual wage for bookkeepers in Maine is $50,510, which is $1,300 above the national median of $49,210 according to BLS data ¹.

In Maine

Best Trade Schools in Maine (2026)

Top local programs

Explore More Trades in Maine

Citations

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/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)