Current Maine minimum wage
| Worker category | Rate (2026) | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Most employees | $15.10/hr | 26 M.R.S. § 664(1) |
| Service employees (tipped) | $7.55/hr direct wage* | 26 M.R.S. § 664(2) |
*Tipped direct wage is separately verified at $7.55/hr from the official 2026 Maine Minimum Wage Poster (maine.gov/labor). Tips must bring total hourly compensation to at least $15.10.
How Maine's CPI indexing works
Under 26 M.R.S. § 664(1), Maine calculates the next year's minimum wage by adjusting the current rate by the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for the Northeast Region, published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Maine Department of Labor announces the updated rate no later than September 30 each year, and the new rate takes effect January 1. The rate cannot decrease even if the CPI falls.
The 2026 rate of $15.10 per hour was published in the official 2026 Maine Minimum Wage Poster, available at maine.gov/labor.
Local minimum wage ordinances
Portland, Maine and Bangor, Maine have adopted local minimum wage ordinances that set higher rates than the state floor. Workers and employers in those cities should verify the applicable local rate directly with the City of Portland or the City of Bangor, as local ordinances may differ from the statewide rate reflected here.
Worked examples
Example 1: full-time week at minimum wage
Example 2: part-time week
What this does not determine
- Whether a local Portland or Bangor ordinance sets a higher rate applicable to a specific employer.
- Whether a specific employer or worker category is exempt from the Maine minimum wage law.
- The applicable tipped direct wage beyond the $7.55/hr figure — verify current tipped rates from the official Maine poster.
- Agricultural, domestic, or other exempt worker rates that may differ.
- Whether overtime is owed in addition to minimum wage (see Maine overtime rules under 26 M.R.S. § 664(3)).
Maine statute and labor agency
Maine's minimum wage statute is 26 M.R.S. § 664 (Maine Wage Payment Law). The Maine Department of Labor enforces wage and hour laws; employees who believe they have been paid below minimum wage may file a complaint with the MDOL Wage and Hour Division at maine.gov/labor. The MDOL publishes both English and Spanish versions of the annual minimum wage poster required to be posted at Maine workplaces.
Maine vs. neighboring New Hampshire
Maine's 2026 minimum wage of $15.10/hr stands significantly above neighboring New Hampshire, which has no state-set minimum wage and relies entirely on the federal FLSA floor of $7.25/hr under RSA 279:21. Maine's CPI indexing guarantees annual adjustments; New Hampshire's rate rises only when Congress acts.
Sources and verification
The rate and effective date on this page were verified against the official 2026 Maine Minimum Wage Poster published by the Maine Department of Labor. The tipped direct wage ($7.55/hr) is drawn from the same primary source. The statute reference is 26 M.R.S. § 664(1). This page is reviewed each September when the MDOL announces the next year's CPI-adjusted rate. See the site's methodology for how rates are verified before publication.