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Minimum Wage in Maine

Maine's minimum wage is $15.10 per hour in 2026, tipped service employees must receive a cash wage of at least $7.55 (half the minimum wage), and the rate is adjusted for inflation every January 1.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Maine at a glance

Minimum wage (per hour)
$15.10
Adjusted each January 1 by the change in the Northeast CPI-W, rounded to the nearest 5 cents.
Tipped cash wage (per hour)
$7.55
The tip credit may not exceed 50 percent of the minimum wage, and tips must bring pay up to the full minimum.
Next scheduled increase
Inflation adjustment on January 1, 2027
Set by the change in the Northeast CPI-W from August to August, rounded to the nearest 5 cents.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Maine

What is the minimum wage in Maine in 2026?

Minimum wage (per hour) in Maine: $15.10. Adjusted each January 1 by the change in the Northeast CPI-W, rounded to the nearest 5 cents.

What is the minimum cash wage for tipped employees in Maine?

Tipped cash wage (per hour) in Maine: $7.55. The tip credit may not exceed 50 percent of the minimum wage, and tips must bring pay up to the full minimum.

When is the next minimum wage increase in Maine?

Next scheduled increase in Maine: Inflation adjustment on January 1, 2027. Set by the change in the Northeast CPI-W from August to August, rounded to the nearest 5 cents.

Where do the Maine minimum wage laws come from?

The rules above come from Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 26, 664. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

The statewide rate has been indexed to inflation since January 1, 2021.

What this means in practice

Check which rate applies before setting pay. Coverage rules, employer size thresholds, and exemptions for certain jobs or industries differ, and a local ordinance may require more than the state rate. The statute linked on each state page is the starting point.

Where a lower tipped cash wage is allowed, the employer usually must make up the difference whenever tips fall short of the full minimum wage for the pay period. Keeping accurate records of hours worked and tips reported helps show that every pay period met the minimum.

Rates can change on fixed dates, often January 1 or July 1, and some states adjust them each year for inflation. Reviewing pay rates, offer letters, and employment contracts ahead of each scheduled change helps avoid underpayment claims.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.

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