Maryland minimum wage
Minimum wage in Maryland, in effect since January 1, 2024
$15.00 an hour
That is $7.75 above the federal minimum of $7.25. Employers in Maryland pay the higher state rate.
Next increase: none announced as of October 9, 2026.
Tipped employees
Employers in Maryland can pay tipped employees a cash wage of $3.63 an hour, taking a tip credit of up to $11.37, as long as tips bring the employee to at least $15.00 for every hour worked. If they don't, the employer makes up the difference. An employee counts as tipped if they get more than $30 a month in tips.
Youth and training wages
Employees under 18 must be paid at least 85% of the state minimum wage.
Exceptions and details
- Howard, Montgomery and Prince George's counties have their own higher minimum wage laws.
- Restaurants that rely on tips to reach the minimum wage must give tipped employees a tip credit wage statement each pay period.
- Exemptions include employees of establishments selling food and drink for on-premises consumption grossing less than $400,000 a year.
Cities and counties with a higher minimum wage
These places in Maryland set their own minimum wage. Employers there pay the local rate.
| Place | Minimum wage | Next change |
|---|---|---|
| Howard County | $16.00 | — |
| Montgomery County | $18.00 | — |
| Prince George's County | $15.30 | — |
Common questions
- What is the minimum wage in Maryland?
- $15.00 an hour, in effect since January 1, 2024.
- What is the tipped minimum wage in Maryland?
- $3.63 an hour in cash wages, provided tips bring the employee up to $15.00 an hour.
- When does the Maryland minimum wage go up?
- No increase had been announced as of October 9, 2026.
- Do any cities or counties in Maryland have a higher minimum wage?
- Yes: Howard County ($16.00), Montgomery County ($18.00), Prince George's County ($15.30).
Running payroll in Maryland?
Recent changes
Last verified against the official source on October 9, 2026.
No changes recorded since we started tracking this page.
Sources
- Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Labor and Industry, Employment Standards Service · data as of January 1, 2024 · 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.