Maryland Minimum Wage 2026
$15.00
per hour since January 1, 2024
Maryland's minimum wage is $15.00 an hour, in effect since January 1, 2024. No increase to the Maryland minimum wage is scheduled for 2027.
Reviewed by Slava Akulov, CEO & Co-Founder at Jupid · Last updated: October 2026
Pick a city or county if you work there; its rate is above the statewide floor.
Up to 40. Hours over 40 in a workweek go in the overtime field.
Paid at 1.5 times the rate ($22.50 an hour).
Weekly
$600
Monthly (average)
$2,600
Annual
$31,200
Gross pay before taxes. For take-home pay after federal, state and payroll taxes, use the Maryland hourly paycheck calculator.
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Maryland Minimum Wage at a Glance
2026 minimum wage
$15.00
Since January 1, 2024
Tipped cash wage
$3.63
Tip credit up to $11.37
Next change
None scheduled
No law scheduled
Overtime
Weekly
1.5 times the regular rate
The statewide rate applies to most employees; Montgomery, Howard and Prince George's counties set higher local rates.
Local Minimum Wages in Maryland
These cities, counties or regions set a 2026 rate above the $15.00 statewide floor. Employers pay the highest rate that applies where the work is done.
| Jurisdiction | 2026 rate | Since | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery County (51+ employees) | $18.00 | July 1, 2026 | Tipped cash wage $4.00. Adjusted each July 1 for inflation. |
| Montgomery County (11 to 50 employees) | $16.50 | July 1, 2026 | Also certain nonprofits and Medicaid home-care employers. |
| Howard County | $16.00 | July 1, 2026 | All employers from July 1, 2026; rises to $16.45 on January 1, 2027. |
| Montgomery County (10 or fewer employees) | $15.95 | July 1, 2026 | |
| Prince George's County | $15.30 | July 1, 2026 | All employers regardless of size. |
Tipped Minimum Wage in Maryland
Employers in Maryland can pay tipped employees a cash wage of $3.63 an hour and count up to $11.37 an hour of tips toward the $15.00 minimum. If tips fall short, the employer makes up the difference. A tipped employee earns more than $30 a month in tips. Restaurants using the tip credit must give a tip credit wage statement each pay period. Montgomery County requires a $4.00 cash wage.
Cash wage
$3.63
Maximum tip credit
$11.37
Cash wage plus tips must reach
$15.00
Other Maryland Minimum Wage Rates
- Employees under 18: $12.75. Employers may pay 85% of the state minimum wage. Employees under 16 working fewer than 20 hours a week are exempt
Overtime Rules in Maryland
Overtime is due after 40 hours in a workweek (48 hours for bowling alleys and some residential care institutions, 60 hours for non-exempt farm workers). Overtime is paid at 1.5 times the regular rate, so at the $15.00 minimum an overtime hour pays at least $22.50. To work out overtime on any hourly rate, use the overtime pay calculator.
Maryland Minimum Wage History
| Effective | Hourly rate |
|---|---|
| January 1, 2024 (current) | $15.00 |
| January 1, 2023 | $13.25 |
| January 1, 2022 | $12.50 |
| January 1, 2021 | $11.75 |
Maryland Minimum Wage in 2027
No increase to the Maryland minimum wage is scheduled for 2027. The Fair Wage Act of 2023 set $15.00 from January 1, 2024 and did not add inflation indexing.
Maryland Minimum Wage FAQ
More Pay Tools for Maryland
Maryland Hourly Paycheck Calculator
Take-home pay for hourly work, with overtime and taxes.
Maryland Paycheck Calculator
Salary take-home pay after federal and state taxes.
Overtime Pay Calculator
Time-and-a-half and double-time pay for any rate.
Employee Cost Calculator
What an hourly hire costs with payroll taxes added.
Minimum Wage in Other States
State minimum wages range from the federal $7.25 to $18.40 an hour in 2026. Pick a state to see its rate, tipped wage and 2027 change.
Official References
- Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Labor and Industry (Employment Standards Service)
- Maryland minimum wage poster (revised 9/1/2026)
- Howard County poster (state)
- Montgomery County poster (state)
- Montgomery County Office of Human Rights
- Howard County minimum wage page
- DOL WHD state minimum wage history (2020-2024 values)
- U.S. Department of Labor: State Minimum Wage Laws
- U.S. Department of Labor: Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees
- Prince George's County minimum wage
Rates verified against the sources above on October 30, 2026. The calculator shows gross pay only. Industry rates, exemptions and local ordinances can change during the year; check the agency page before setting pay. This page is general information, not legal advice.
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