Maryland Minimum Wage (2026)
Built & reviewed by Nandu Kannan · Overtime rules cited to primary statutes
Maryland's minimum wage is $15.00 an hour in 2026. Maryland reached $15.00 in 2025; Montgomery and Howard counties set higher local minimums.
Maryland minimum-wage pay calculator
Pre-set to Maryland's $15.00 minimum. Change the hours, add overtime, and see weekly, monthly and annual gross pay update instantly.
Gross pay before taxes, at Maryland's minimum wage. Overtime at 1.5× the regular rate (federal FLSA); some states add daily overtime — see the state overtime calculator. Not payroll advice.
Tipped minimum wage in Maryland
The tipped minimum cash wage in Maryland is $3.63 an hour in 2026. Employers may claim a tip credit of up to $11.37 an hour against the full $15.00 minimum.
How the tip credit works: the employer pays the cash wage, and your tips count toward the minimum. If your cash wage plus tips don't add up to the full $15.00 for every hour worked, your employer must make up the difference.
Tipped rates as of January 2026, from the U.S. Department of Labor — Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees. Local and industry rules can differ and rates change — verify with your state labor office before relying on these figures.
When will Maryland's minimum wage go up?
Maryland has no scheduled minimum-wage increase. Maryland finished its phase-in at $15.00 in 2025 and holds there statewide with no scheduled increase. The state rate is not indexed to inflation, though Montgomery and Howard counties raise their local minimums separately.
Want to see the next change in every state? See our 2026–2027 minimum wage increases by state.
Scheduled increases verified as of June 2026, from the U.S. Department of Labor and the EPI Minimum Wage Tracker. Future inflation-indexed rates are set by the state later and are not predicted here. Dates and amounts can change — verify with your state labor office before relying on them.
Maryland minimum wage vs. the federal minimum
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. Maryland's effective minimum is $15.00 — $7.75 above the federal floor. Where state and federal minimums differ, employers must pay whichever is higher.
Minimum-wage pay & overtime
At $15.00 an hour, overtime (1.5×) is $22.50 per hour. 1.5× after 40 hours in a workweek. No daily overtime. Run your own numbers with the Maryland overtime calculator or convert it to a yearly figure with the salary to hourly calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Maryland in 2026?
The minimum wage in Maryland is $15.00 per hour as of 2026. Maryland reached $15.00 in 2025; Montgomery and Howard counties set higher local minimums.
How much is Maryland's minimum wage per year?
At $15.00 an hour, full-time (40 hours a week, 52 weeks) is about $31,200 a year before taxes, or $600 a week.
Is Maryland's minimum wage higher than the federal minimum?
Yes. Maryland's $15.00 is above the federal minimum of $7.25. When state and federal minimums differ, employers must pay the higher rate.
What is overtime pay on Maryland's minimum wage?
Overtime is 1.5× your regular rate, so a minimum-wage worker at $15.00 earns $22.50 per overtime hour. 1.5× after 40 hours in a workweek. No daily overtime.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Maryland?
The tipped minimum cash wage in Maryland is $3.63 an hour in 2026. Employers may claim a tip credit of up to $11.37 an hour, but the cash wage plus tips must still reach the full $15.00 minimum — if it falls short, the employer must make up the difference.
Do tipped workers get full minimum wage in Maryland?
Not always in direct cash. Maryland lets employers pay a lower cash wage of $3.63 and count tips toward the minimum (a "tip credit"). But your cash wage plus tips must add up to at least the full $15.00 minimum for every hour — if it doesn't, your employer must pay the difference.
When does Maryland's minimum wage increase?
Maryland has no scheduled minimum-wage increase. Maryland finished its phase-in at $15.00 in 2025 and holds there statewide with no scheduled increase. The state rate is not indexed to inflation, though Montgomery and Howard counties raise their local minimums separately.
What will Maryland's minimum wage be in 2027?
Under current law Maryland's minimum wage is expected to be about $15.00 an hour in 2027, unchanged from 2026, because there is no inflation indexing beyond any already-scheduled step. Maryland finished its phase-in at $15.00 in 2025 and holds there statewide with no scheduled increase. The state rate is not indexed to inflation, though Montgomery and Howard counties raise their local minimums separately.
Rate as of January 2026, from the U.S. Department of Labor. Cities and counties may set higher local minimums, and rates change — confirm with your state labor office. General information, not legal or payroll advice.
Related
What's a minimum-wage paycheck after taxes in Maryland?
Minimum wage by state · Maryland overtime · Overtime by state · Salary to Hourly
States with a similar minimum wage
Delaware — $15.00 · Illinois — $15.00 · Massachusetts — $15.00 · Missouri — $15.00 · Nebraska — $15.00