Maine's Minimum Wage in 2026
The minimum wage in Maine is $15.10 an hour, $7.85 more than the federal minimum of $7.25. It rises to $15.70 on Jan 1, 2027. Full time, that is $31,408 a year before taxes. Source
After federal and state taxes, a single full-time worker keeps about $26,479 a year, or $1,018.43 every two weeks.
What the Maine minimum wage pays
| At $15.10 | From Jan 1, 2027 ($15.70) | |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour | $15.10 | $15.70 |
| Per 8-hour day | $120.80 | $125.60 |
| Per 40-hour week | $604.00 | $628.00 |
| Every two weeks | $1,208.00 | $1,256.00 |
| Per month | $2,617.33 | $2,721.33 |
| Per year (2,080 hours) | $31,408.00 | $32,656.00 |
| Take-home every two weeks | $1,018.43 | $1,054.77 |
| Take-home per year | $26,479.18 | $27,424.02 |
Before taxes, except the take-home rows: after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Maine income tax and payroll programs, single filer, 2026 Form W-4, no other deductions. Part time at 20 hours a week, the minimum wage is $15,704 a year and about $14,424 after taxes.
Maine minimum wage rules
Local minimum wages. Maine's rate is a floor: it is higher in Portland and Bangor. Where a city or county sets a higher rate, employers there must pay the higher one.
Each rule links to the official source. Checked Oct 25, 2026. The federal minimum of $7.25 applies wherever a state rate is lower. Source
| Topic | The rule | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | Maine's minimum wage is $15.10 an hour in 2026. It rises to $15.70 an hour on January 1, 2027. Portland, Bangor and other towns with local ordinances may require more. | Maine Department of Labor, 2027 Minimum Wage poster |
| Tipped (service) employees | Service employees who regularly earn tips can be paid half the minimum wage in cash: $7.55 an hour in 2026, rising to $7.85 on January 1, 2027. If tips do not make up the rest, your employer must. | Maine Department of Labor, 2027 Minimum Wage poster |
| Overtime | Unless your job is exempt, you get time and a half for hours over 40 in a workweek. Private-sector employers cannot give you comp time instead of overtime pay. | Maine Department of Labor, 2027 Minimum Wage poster |
How Maine's minimum wage compares
Maine has the 12th-highest minimum wage of the 50 states and DC.
The typical (median) worker in Maine earns $24.73 an hour, so the minimum wage is 61% of the median wage. 10% of Maine workers earn less than $16.89 an hour and 25% less than $19.29 (BLS, May 2025, all 640,610 jobs). Source
The jobs with the lowest typical pay in Maine, among those with at least 1,000 workers:
| Job | Median hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $16.69 | 17,250 |
| Cashiers | $16.79 | 14,240 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $16.99 | 1,230 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $17.00 | 1,120 |
| Dishwashers | $17.13 | 2,940 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $17.32 | 4,560 |
BLS figures are from May 2025, before some recent increases. Tipped jobs can show a median below the minimum wage where the law lets employers count tips toward it (see the tipped rules above).
Tax credits and rent on the minimum wage
A full-time minimum-wage worker earns $31,408 a year. At that income the 2026 Earned Income Tax Credit could be about:
| Qualifying children | Single or head of household | Married, one earner |
|---|---|---|
| 0 children | None | None |
| 1 child | $3,226 | $4,387 |
| 2 children | $5,733 | $7,264 |
| 3 children or more | $6,648 | $8,179 |
An estimate from the IRS 2026 amounts and phaseouts; the credit is paid when you file your return. Source
By the HUD guideline that housing should take no more than 30% of income, $31,408 a year covers rent and utilities up to about $785 a month; two minimum-wage earners up to $1,570. Source
Maine minimum wage questions
What is the minimum wage in Maine?
$15.10 an hour. It rises to $15.70 on Jan 1, 2027.
How much is the Maine minimum wage a year?
$31,408 a year at 40 hours a week for 52 weeks, or $2,617 a month, before taxes. After taxes a single filer keeps about $26,479.
How much is the Maine minimum wage after taxes?
About $1,018.43 every two weeks for a full-time single filer, after federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare and Maine taxes.
Is Maine's minimum wage going up?
Yes. It rises to $15.70 an hour on Jan 1, 2027, adding $1,248 a year for a full-time worker.
What is time and a half at the Maine minimum wage?
$22.65 an hour for overtime hours.
Do cities in Maine have a higher minimum wage?
Yes: the minimum is higher in Portland and Bangor. Employers must pay whichever rate is higher.
States with a similar minimum wage
Colorado minimum wage ($15.16) · Arizona minimum wage ($15.15) · Delaware minimum wage ($15.00) · Florida minimum wage ($15.00) · Illinois minimum wage ($15.00) · Maryland minimum wage ($15.00) · Massachusetts minimum wage ($15.00) · Missouri minimum wage ($15.00)
Related
Maine paycheck calculator · $15 an hour is how much a year · Minimum wage in every state · Minimum wage increases in 2027 · Hourly paycheck at $15.10
Rates checked Oct 25, 2026. Wage data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.