Statutory minimum wage in Maryland (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Maryland has a state minimum wage of $15.00 per hour. Employees under 18 may be paid 85% of that rate. Howard, Montgomery and Prince George's counties have separate county minimum wage laws.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| National statutory minimum wageEmployees | Yes [1] |
| Current adult minimum wage (gross)Employees | $15.00 per hour [1] |
| Age bands, reduced rates and exclusionsEmployees | Employees under 18 may be paid 85% of the State minimum wage. [1] |
| Next scheduled changeEmployees | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Amount from next change (gross)Employees | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Minimum cash wage for tipped workersEmployees | Employers must pay tipped employees (more than $30 a month in tips) at least $3.63 an hour; wages plus tips must reach the state minimum wage, and the employer covers any gap. [2] |
| Overtime payEmployees | 1.5 times the usual hourly rate after 40 hours a week; after 48 hours for bowling alleys and certain non-hospital residential care institutions. [2] |
| Higher local minimum wagesEmployees | Howard, Montgomery and Prince George's counties have their own minimum wage laws, and some counties have higher rates than the state. [2] |
Notes
- The same $15.00 rate applies to small employers (14 or fewer employees) from 1 January 2024. The Department of Labor publishes separate county minimum wage laws for Howard, Montgomery and Prince George's counties.
- No scheduled change to the state rate was found in the sources read.
Sources
- Maryland General Assembly: Labor and Employment § 3-413 (Minimum wage rates) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Labor and Industry: Maryland Minimum Wage and Overtime Law (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)) |
Maryland 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | Yes | $15.00 per hour | 85% of the rate under 18 | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| District of Columbia | Yes | $18.40 per hour | ⚠ Not yet verified | By 1 July 2027 | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Delaware | Yes | $15.00 per hour | No youth rate; summer camp CITs exempt | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Pennsylvania | Yes (state law) | $7.25 per hour | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Virginia | Yes (state law) | $12.77 per hour | Trainees (up to 90 days): 75% of state wage or federal | 1 January 2027 | $13.75 per hour |
| West Virginia | Yes (state law) | $8.75 per hour | $6.40 training wage under 20 for 90 days | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
More rules in Maryland
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Legal for adults 21+, within limits · Growing at home: Yes: 2 plants per household
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 30 mph (35 divided residential) · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 50 mph
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 yrs 6 mths (provisional licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15 yrs 9 mths (learner's permit)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Class 1, 2, 3 · Minimum age: 16+ for Class 3
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (permit only; sparklers excepted)
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Penknife without switchblade is not a "weapon" · Locking or one-handed knives: Listed weapon; sale or display is banned
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned (no hand use) · Hands-free use: Hands-free allowed
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes, driver and front passengers · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes; police enforce only as secondary action (16+)
- 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 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: Any alcohol (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.