Quick answer: The median handyman in Maine earns $23.76/hr — about $49,430 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025), and the most experienced earn $76,000+. To hire one, a handyman business typically bills $50–$70 per hour — roughly 2–3× the worker's wage, to cover overhead and profit.
Here's the full picture: what handymen earn, what shops bill, what common jobs cost, how pay varies by metro, and how Maine compares to other states.
Handyman income in Maine (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for Maine's ~5,820 maintenance, and repair workers, general:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $18.00 | ~$3,120 | ~$37,440 |
| Median (typical) | $23.76 | ~$4,119 | $49,430 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $36.33 | ~$6,297 | ~$75,566 |
Monthly and annual figures assume full-time work (about 2,080 hours a year).
What you earn vs. what you charge
The wages above are what a handyman takes home. What a handyman business bills the customer is higher — it has to cover the truck, tools, insurance, licensing, fuel, office time, and profit. A shop typically bills 2.2–3× the worker's wage:
| Rate | |
|---|---|
| Median handyman wage (earned) | ~$24/hr |
| Typical shop rate (charged) | $50–$70/hr |
Where Maine ranks
Maine pays handymen right at the national median, ranking 28th of 51 states — right around the national middle:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — District of Columbia | $29.00 |
| Maine (28th) | $23.76 |
| National median | $23.84 |
| Lowest — West Virginia | $18.70 |
Handyman rates by Maine metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median handyman wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-South Portland | $25.28/hr | $55–$75/hr |
| Lewiston-Auburn | $24.12/hr | $55–$70/hr |
| Northeast Maine nonmetropolitan area | $23.08/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Bangor | $22.58/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Southwest Maine nonmetropolitan area | $22.38/hr | $50–$65/hr |
What common handyman jobs cost in Maine
At Maine billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical Maine range |
|---|---|
| Service call / small job | $100–$250 |
| TV mounting | $100–$350 |
| Furniture assembly | $75–$300 |
| Drywall repair | $150–$500 |
| Faucet / fixture swap | $125–$350 |
| Door repair / adjustment | $100–$400 |
| Shelving / wall mounting | $100–$400 |
| Caulking & sealing | $100–$350 |
| Ceiling fan installation | $150–$400 |
| Gutter cleaning | $100–$350 |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How handymen compare to other trades in Maine
Here's how handyman pay lines up against Maine's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $36.24/hr | $80–$110/hr |
| Plumber | $30.77/hr | $70–$90/hr |
| Carpenter | $29.88/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| Painter | $28.50/hr | $65–$85/hr |
| Handyman | $23.76/hr | $50–$70/hr |
Setting your own rate
Use these as benchmarks, not rules — your rate has to cover your real overhead and the profit margin you need. See how to price a job to run the math, then build a quote with the free handyman estimate generator, or download BIG INVOICE to invoice from your phone with your rates saved.
Do handymen need a license in Maine?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See Maine contractor & trade licensing to check whether handymen need a state license in Maine, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do handymen make in Maine?
The median handyman in Maine earns about $49,430 a year ($23.76/hr) per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025). Entry-level handymen earn around $37,000 and the most experienced earn $76,000 or more.
Can a handyman make $100,000 a year in Maine?
Rarely as an employee — the top 10% of handymen in Maine earn about $76,000 a year. The usual path past $100,000 is running your own handyman business and billing $50–$70/hr, where revenue — not just an hourly wage — is the ceiling.
How much do handymen charge per hour in Maine?
In 2025, most Maine handymen bill $50–$70 per hour. That billed rate covers the worker's wage (a $24/hr median) plus overhead and profit — it is not take-home pay.
Do handymen earn more in Maine than nationally?
Maine pays handymen right about the national median of $23.84/hr, ranking 28th of 51 states.
Which Maine city pays handymen the most?
Portland-South Portland, at a $25.28/hr median wage, is among the highest-paying metros in the state for handymen.
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Billed rates and job-cost ranges are illustrative estimates (median wage × 2.2–3.0 overhead-and-profit markup), not quotes. Updated August 2026.