CPA in Maine

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for ME. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$77,680

trending_down -4.9% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Maine.

engineering

4,020

Jobs (ME)

monitoring Strong

+4.6%

10-yr job growth

payments

$1,156

Est. total cost

schedule

2-4 years post-bachelor's degree

Time to complete

route How to become a cpa in Maine

To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Maine, candidates must meet specific education, examination, and experience requirements. The licensing body is the Maine Board of Accountancy. Applicants need a bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours of education, including specific accounting, auditing, and ethics coursework, and must pass the Uniform CPA Examination. Additionally, two years (approximately 4160 hours) of qualifying work experience under the supervision of a licensed CPA is required for licensure.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $52,920

25th percentile $63,040

50th (median) $77,680

75th percentile $99,000

90th (experienced) $124,990

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Maine. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Maine requirements

Licensing body	Maine Board of Accountancy
State license	Required
Education	Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours
Experience	4,160.0 hours
Exam	Uniform CPA Examination ($1,423)
Application fee	$56
Renewal	Every 1.0 year
Continuing education	40.0 hours per cycle
Notes	No minimum age, U.S. citizenship, or Maine residency is required. A Social Security Number is required. A criminal background check is required for licensure. 4 hours of ethics CPE are required every 3 years. Up to 20 excess CPE hours can be carried over to the next renewal period. The CPA exam can be taken after completing 120 semester hours, but 150 semester hours are required for licensure. The experience must be gained in a public accounting firm or equivalent, under the supervision of a licensed CPA.

Source: Maine Board of Accountancy

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+4.6%

Faster than average

Annual openings

124,200

Nationwide per year

Total employment

1,579,800

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

error High exposure 1.48/1.00

Many tasks in this career are susceptible to AI automation. Long-term career planning should account for potential disruption.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

Rough payback period

0 months

~$1,156 investment ÷ $77,680 median salary

check_circleMaine license required — clearer credential signal to employers
warningElevated AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a cpa career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the steps to becoming a cpa in Maine? expand_more

Maine requires cpas to complete the required education (Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours), gain 4,160.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Uniform CPA Examination, and submit your application ($56 fee).

Do I need a license to work as a cpa in Maine? expand_more

You cannot practice as a cpa in Maine without a state license from Maine Board of Accountancy. The required exam is the Uniform CPA Examination.

What do cpas earn in Maine? expand_more

In Maine, the median pay for cpas comes to $77,680/year. That's roughly in line with the $81,680 national median. New cpas start around $52,920; seasoned professionals can reach $124,990.

What are the fees to become a cpa in Maine? expand_more

Costs include exam fee ($1,423) and application fee ($56). The estimated total investment is $1,156, including education and training.

What's the timeline to become a cpa in Maine? expand_more

The typical timeline in Maine is 2-4 years post-bachelor's degree. This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

Does Maine require continuing education for cpas? expand_more

License renewal in Maine requires completing 40.0 hours of continuing education on a 1.0-year cycle.