Statutory minimum wage in Maine (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Maine has a state minimum wage of $15.10 per hour from 1 January 2026, indexed each year to the cost of living. The Department of Labor lists $15.70 per hour from 1 January 2027.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| National statutory minimum wageEmployees | Yes [1] |
| Current adult minimum wage (gross)Employees | $15.10 per hour [2] |
| Age bands, reduced rates and exclusionsEmployees | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Next scheduled changeEmployees | 1 January 2027 [2] |
| Amount from next change (gross)Employees | $15.70 per hour [2] |
| Minimum cash wage for tipped workersEmployees | Minimum direct (cash) wage for service employees is $7.55 an hour in 2026 (maximum tip credit $7.55), rising to $7.85 on 1 January 2027. [2] |
| Overtime payEmployees | 1.5 times the regular rate after 40 hours a week. [3] |
| Higher local minimum wagesEmployees | Portland and Rockland have local minimum wage ordinances; local ordinances are enforced by the municipality. [2] |
Notes
- Each 1 January the rate rises by the increase in the CPI-W for the Northeast Region (August to August), rounded to the nearest 5 cents, and it rises to the federal rate if that is higher. Portland and Rockland have local minimum wage ordinances.
- 26 MRSA §664 sets one minimum hourly wage and its text contains no youth or training rate. Exemptions in other sections of the subchapter were not reviewed.
Sources
- Maine Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes: Title 26, §664: Minimum wage; overtime rate (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Maine Department of Labor: New Minimum Wage Increases (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division: State Minimum Wage Laws (updated 1 July 2026) (Internet Archive snapshot of 2 October 2026) (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
National rules that also apply
These rules are set at national level in the United States and apply here too, alongside the rules above. All national rules for the United States
| National statutory minimum wage | Yes (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
|---|---|
| Current adult minimum wage (gross) | $7.25 per hour (source: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division) |
| Age bands, reduced rates and exclusions | A new employee under 20 years of age may be paid not less than $4.25 an hour during the first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment with an employer. (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
Maine and neighbouring states
| State | National statutory minimum wage | Current adult minimum wage (gross) | Age bands, reduced rates and exclusions | Next scheduled change | Amount from next change (gross) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | Yes | $15.10 per hour | ⚠ Not yet verified | 1 January 2027 | $15.70 per hour |
| New Hampshire | Yes | $7.25 per hour | 16 and under: 75% of minimum wage | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
More rules in Maine
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Legal for adults 21+, within limits · Growing at home: Yes: 6 mature, 12 immature plants
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 25 mph · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 45 mph
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 (with driver education) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15 (learner's permit)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Class 1, 2 and 3 · Minimum age: 16+ for Class 2 and 3
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes (licensed stores; 21+) · Minimum age to buy: 21
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Concealed 'dangerous' knives barred; folding not named · Locking or one-handed knives: Former "dangerous knife" ban repealed (2015)
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Allowed, drivers 18+ with full licence
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes, all seats · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes, all seats
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21 (a minor is under 21) · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21 (a minor is under 21)
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.00 (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.