Maryland's Minimum Wage in 2026
The minimum wage in Maryland is $15.00 an hour, $7.75 more than the federal minimum of $7.25. No increase is scheduled yet. Full time, that is $31,200 a year before taxes. Source
After federal and state taxes, a single full-time worker keeps about $25,294 a year, or $972.83 every two weeks.
What the Maryland minimum wage pays
| At $15.00 | |
|---|---|
| Per hour | $15.00 |
| Per 8-hour day | $120.00 |
| Per 40-hour week | $600.00 |
| Every two weeks | $1,200.00 |
| Per month | $2,600.00 |
| Per year (2,080 hours) | $31,200.00 |
| Take-home every two weeks | $972.83 |
| Take-home per year | $25,293.58 |
Before taxes, except the take-home rows: after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Maryland 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 $15,600 a year and about $13,691 after taxes.
Maryland minimum wage rules
Local minimum wages. Maryland's rate is a floor: it is higher in Howard and Montgomery counties. 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 | Maryland's minimum wage is $15.00 an hour for most employees, and no statewide increase has been announced. Howard County requires $16.00 and Montgomery County $15.95 to $18.00 depending on employer size, from July 1, 2026. | Maryland Department of Labor, Maryland Minimum Wage and Overtime Law |
| Tipped employees | If you earn tips, your employer must pay at least $3.63 an hour in cash wages. If your tips do not bring you up to $15.00 an hour, your employer must make up the difference. | Maryland Department of Labor, Maryland Minimum Wage and Overtime Law |
| Overtime | Most employees must be paid one and a half times their usual hourly rate for every hour worked over 40 in a week. Maryland has no general daily overtime rule. | Maryland Department of Labor, Maryland Minimum Wage and Overtime Law |
How Maryland's minimum wage compares
Maryland has the 13th-highest minimum wage of the 50 states and DC, tied with Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nebraska.
The typical (median) worker in Maryland earns $28.61 an hour, so the minimum wage is 52% of the median wage. 10% of Maryland workers earn less than $16.60 an hour and 25% less than $18.96 (BLS, May 2025, all 2,763,030 jobs). Source
The jobs with the lowest typical pay in Maryland, among those with at least 1,000 workers:
| Job | Median hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Gambling Dealers | $15.26 | 1,770 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $16.02 | 10,960 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $16.18 | 49,380 |
| Dietetic Technicians | $16.21 | 1,670 |
| Dishwashers | $16.36 | 9,310 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $16.36 | 1,770 |
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 $31,200 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 | $3,259 | $4,421 |
| 2 children | $5,777 | $7,308 |
| 3 children or more | $6,692 | $8,223 |
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, $31,200 a year covers rent and utilities up to about $780 a month; two minimum-wage earners up to $1,560. Source
Maryland minimum wage questions
What is the minimum wage in Maryland?
$15.00 an hour.
How much is the Maryland minimum wage a year?
$31,200 a year at 40 hours a week for 52 weeks, or $2,600 a month, before taxes. After taxes a single filer keeps about $25,294.
How much is the Maryland minimum wage after taxes?
About $972.83 every two weeks for a full-time single filer, after federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare and Maryland taxes.
Is Maryland's minimum wage going up?
No increase has been scheduled as of Oct 25, 2026.
What is time and a half at the Maryland minimum wage?
$22.50 an hour for overtime hours.
Do cities in Maryland have a higher minimum wage?
Yes: the minimum is higher in Howard and Montgomery counties. Employers must pay whichever rate is higher.
States with a similar minimum wage
Arizona minimum wage ($15.15) · Maine minimum wage ($15.10) · Delaware minimum wage ($15.00) · Florida minimum wage ($15.00) · Illinois minimum wage ($15.00) · Massachusetts minimum wage ($15.00) · Missouri minimum wage ($15.00) · Nebraska minimum wage ($15.00)
Related
Maryland paycheck calculator · $15 an hour is how much a year · Minimum wage in every state · Minimum wage increases in 2027 · Hourly paycheck at $15.00
Rates checked Oct 25, 2026. Wage data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.