How to become a state trooper in Maine
The Maine Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Maine State Police hires state troopers under the title State Trooper. New state troopers start at $67,808 a year, rising to $94,203. You must be at least 21.
Pay
| Starting salary | $67,808 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $94,203 |
| Scale effective | 2026-06-28 |
State Police Trooper, grade 23 of the state pay schedule effective June 28, 2026 ($32.60/hr × 2,080 at step 1). The trooper class spec notes a move to range 24 in May 2026, which would raise both figures.
Source:[apps.web.maine.gov]
Pay for this work across Maine
Federal survey figures for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Maine, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from the state's own pay scale above.
| People in this work | 2,120 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $55,930 |
| Median pay | $67,050 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $91,270 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 21
- Education: High school graduate or GED equivalency certificate issued by the State Department of Education
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen or permanent resident (Green Card required if not a citizen)
- At least 21 (or 20 with 60 college credits) prior to entrance into Basic Law Enforcement Training at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy
- Reputation above reproach; no serious criminal or extensive motor vehicle record
- Physical fitness test passed at the 40th percentile within the past year, and ALERT test results, submitted with the application
- Valid driver's license upon employment
- Tattoo policy and automatic disqualifiers apply
Source:[maine.gov]
Hiring process
- Pre-employment physical fitness test (pass/fail, 40th percentile, within past year; $50 fee)
- Application evaluation against minimum requirements
- Oral board examination (structured interview, pass/fail)
- Polygraph examination
- Background investigation
- Screening committee review
- Colonel's interview (Chief, Deputy Chief or Majors)
- Psychological examination
- Medical evaluation
- MCJA orientation and physical fitness test about one month before the Basic Law Enforcement Training Program
Source:[maine.gov]
Entrance exam
ALERT test. MSP requirements page says a copy of ALERT test results (with PFT results) must accompany the application; the hiring-process page itself lists no separate written exam.[maine.gov]
Academy
18 weeks. Troopers attend the Maine Criminal Justice Academy's Basic Law Enforcement Training Program in Vassalboro, described by MCJA as an eighteen-week program (since 2001). Any additional MSP-specific trooper training length, residential status and pay during training are not stated.[maine.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), State special plan for State Police hired after 9/15/1984
- Benefit formula: 1/2 of average final compensation (AFC) for 25 years under the plan, plus 2% of AFC for each additional year
- When you can retire: 25 years of service with no age requirement
- Social Security: no, this job is not covered
MainePERS state booklet (2026): state employees contribute to MainePERS instead of Social Security. Employee contribution 8.65% for first 25 years (7.65% thereafter), or 1.15% for those with employer-paid contributions; MSP says troopers pay 1.15%.
Source:[mainepers.org]