Maine minimum wage 2026–2027: $15.10 now, $15.70 on January 1, 2027
Maine's minimum wage is $15.10 an hour, in force since January 1, 2026 – $7.85 more than the federal $7.25. The next change is on January 1, 2027: $15.70 an hour (+$0.60, 4.0%), announced by the state. Service (tip) wage $7.85.
Share
Maine minimum wage pay calculator
Maine minimum wage rates
| Who | Rate | From | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most workers (state rate) | $15.10 | January 1, 2026 | official |
| Scheduled increase | $15.70 | January 1, 2027 | announcement |
| Tipped workers (cash wage) | $7.55 | now | official |
| Tipped workers (cash wage) | $7.85 | January 1, 2027 | official |
When does the Maine minimum wage go up?
The next change is on January 1, 2027: $15.70 an hour (+$0.60, 4.0%), announced by the state. Service (tip) wage $7.85. Adjusted each January 1 by the CPI-W for the Northeast region (26 M.R.S. §664).
Tipped workers in Maine
Employers may pay tipped workers a cash wage of $7.55 an hour and count up to 50% of the minimum wage ($7.55) of tips toward the minimum wage, as long as wages plus tips reach $15.10 for every hour; otherwise the employer pays the difference. From January 1, 2027 the tipped cash wage is $7.85.
Maine minimum wage history
On January 1, 2020 the Maine minimum wage was $12.00; today it is $15.10 – up $3.10, or 25.8%.
| January 1 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | $12.00 | $12.15 | $12.75 | $13.80 | $14.15 | $15.10 |
How Maine compares
Maine ranks 12th of the 50 states and D.C. The average statewide minimum wage is $11.53; Maine's $15.10 is $3.57 above it. Neighbors: New Hampshire $7.25.
Overtime and pay rules
Overtime: Over 40 hours a week, at one and a half times the regular rate. A full-time week at the minimum wage pays $604.00; with 5 overtime hours it is $717.25.
Good to know
- The tip wage is half of the full minimum wage (Maine Department of Labor).
Where to get help
The minimum wage in Maine is enforced by the Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Standards; wage claims: maine.gov. The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division takes complaints in every state at 1-866-487-9243, and your name is kept confidential.
Maine minimum wage questions
What is the minimum wage in Maine right now?
$15.10 an hour for most adult workers. Maine's minimum wage is $15.10 an hour, in force since January 1, 2026 – $7.85 more than the federal $7.25.
What will the Maine minimum wage be in 2027?
$15.70 an hour from January 1, 2027 – announced by the state.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Maine?
Employers may pay tipped workers a cash wage of $7.55 an hour and count up to 50% of the minimum wage ($7.55) of tips toward the minimum wage, as long as wages plus tips reach $15.10 for every hour; otherwise the employer pays the difference. From January 1, 2027 the tipped cash wage is $7.85.
How much is the Maine minimum wage per year?
At $15.10 an hour and 40 hours a week, $604.00 a week, about $2,617 a month and $31,408 a year before taxes. At the 2027 rate of $15.70: $32,656 a year.
Where do I report unpaid minimum wage in Maine?
With the Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Standards – or with the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (1-866-487-9243). Keep your pay stubs and a record of your hours.
Other states
Sources: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division – State Minimum Wage Laws, Consolidated Minimum Wage Table and Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees (July 1, 2026 editions), the DOL's history table, and each state's and city's own labor department pages, linked on every state page. Checked October 16, 2026. Rates are for most adult, non-exempt workers; some jobs, industries and employers are exempt or have other rates. This is general information, not legal advice – the state labor department has the final word.