Maine minimum wage
Minimum wage in Maine, in effect since January 1, 2026
$15.10 an hour
That is $7.85 above the federal minimum of $7.25. Employers in Maine pay the higher state rate.
Next increase: $15.70 on January 1, 2027.
Tipped employees
Employers in Maine can pay tipped employees a cash wage of $7.55 an hour, taking a tip credit of up to $7.55, as long as tips bring the employee to at least $15.10 for every hour worked. If they don't, the employer makes up the difference. An employee counts as tipped if they get more than $191 a month in tips (service employee); $199 from January 1, 2027.
Scheduled increases
| Effective date | Standard rate | Tipped cash wage | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 (current) | $15.10 | $7.55 | In effect |
| January 1, 2027 | $15.70 | $7.85 | Announced Maine DOL release, September 18, 2026 (CPI-W Northeast +4.1%). Service-employee tip threshold rises from $191 to $199 a month. |
How future increases are set
Adjusted every January 1 by the change in the CPI-W for the Northeast region (26 M.R.S. § 664).
Exceptions and details
- Service employees must receive a direct cash wage of at least half the minimum wage, and wages plus tips must reach the full minimum wage.
- Exempt salary threshold from January 1, 2027: $905.79 a week ($47,101.08 a year).
- Agricultural workers are entitled to the state minimum wage under a 2025 law.
Cities and counties with a higher minimum wage
These places in Maine set their own minimum wage. Employers there pay the local rate.
Common questions
- What is the minimum wage in Maine?
- $15.10 an hour, in effect since January 1, 2026.
- What is the tipped minimum wage in Maine?
- $7.55 an hour in cash wages, provided tips bring the employee up to $15.10 an hour.
- When does the Maine minimum wage go up?
- It rises to $15.70 on January 1, 2027.
- Do any cities or counties in Maine have a higher minimum wage?
- Yes: Portland ($16.75), Rockland ($16.00).
Running payroll in Maine?
Recent changes
Last verified against the official source on October 9, 2026.
No changes recorded since we started tracking this page.
Sources
- Maine Department of Labor · data as of January 1, 2026 · last checked October 9, 2026
We copy figures from official sources and re-check them against the source before every update. See our methodology. This is general information, not legal advice.