Travel nurse stipends in Maine
Federal GSA per diem rates for FY2027 in Maine, the ceiling most staffing agencies use for tax-free housing and meal stipends. The table covers the areas around 36 hospitals; 3 areas have rates above the standard rate.
FY2027 GSA rates in Maine
| Area | Lodging this month | Seasonal range | Meals per day | Weekly maximum | HUD 1-bed rent | Hospitals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bar Harbor / RockportBar Harbor, Blue Hill, Ellsworth | $137 | $137 to $320 | $92 | $1,603 | $1,420 | 4 |
| Kennebunk / Kittery / SanfordYork | $130 | $130 to $229 | $86 | $1,512 | $1,670 | 1 |
| PortlandPortland, Bridgton, Brunswick | $119 | $119 to $216 | $80 | $1,393 | $1,230 | 5 |
| Rest of the state (standard rate)Bangor, Augusta, Lewiston | $113 | Same all year | $68 | $1,267 | $1,330 | 26 |
Weekly maximum is seven nights of lodging plus seven days of meals and incidentals at this month's rate. HUD rent is the FY2026 fair market rent for an unfurnished one-bedroom with basic utilities; furnished monthly rentals usually cost more. Sources: GSA and HUD.
How to use these rates
A weekly stipend is usually quoted as lodging plus meals and incidentals for seven days. Agencies set the actual amount, often below these ceilings, and the stipend is only tax-free if you keep a tax home you pay for. Read the tax home rules before you sign. The stipend calculator adds up a contract night by night when rates change by season.
Cities with the most hospitals in Maine
- Bangor4 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Augusta3 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Lewiston2 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Portland2 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Bar Harbor1 hospital · estimate a contract
- Belfast1 hospital · estimate a contract
- Blue Hill1 hospital · estimate a contract
- Bridgton1 hospital · estimate a contract
- Brunswick1 hospital · estimate a contract
- Calais1 hospital · estimate a contract
- Caribou1 hospital · estimate a contract
- Damariscotta1 hospital · estimate a contract
Questions about stipends in Maine
What is the travel nurse stipend in Maine?
Most agencies cap the tax-free stipend at the GSA per diem rate. In FY2027, the standard rate in Maine is $113 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, up to $1,267 a week. 3 areas pay more; the highest this month is Bar Harbor / Rockport at $137 a night.
Which part of Maine has the highest lodging rate?
Bar Harbor / Rockport (Bar Harbor, Blue Hill, Ellsworth) at $137 a night this month, or up to $1,603 a week with meals and incidentals.
Do agencies have to pay the full GSA rate?
No. Agencies set their own stipends, often at or below the GSA rate, and some move part of the pay between the hourly rate and the stipend. Payments above the federal rate are generally taxable. You also need a tax home for the stipend to be tax-free.
When do these rates change?
Every October 1, when the federal fiscal year starts. FY2027 rates apply from October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027. Some areas also change by season within the year.