Maryland Minimum Wage 2026: $15.00/hr
Last updated: July 31, 2026 — Source: Maryland Department of Labor
In Maryland, the minimum wage is $15.00 per hour, effective January 1, 2024. Maryland sets its own minimum wage, and a tip credit is allowed: the tipped cash wage is $3.63 per hour, with tips expected to bring total pay to at least the full minimum wage. Overtime is paid at 1.5× the regular rate after 40 hours in a workweek. This reflects a state overtime law.
Quick answer
Maryland's minimum wage is $15.00/hr in 2026 — $7.75 above the federal $7.25 minimum , ranked #15 of 51 US jurisdictions. The tipped cash wage is $3.63/hr.
Minimum Wage
$15.00
per hour
Tipped Wage
$3.63
per hour (cash wage)
Effective Date
January 1, 2024
How Maryland compares
State vs Federal
+$7.75
vs the federal $7.25 minimum (+106.9%)
State Rate
$15.00
per hour
National Rank
#15
of 51 jurisdictions
Ranked by 2026 effective minimum wage across all 51 U.S. states and jurisdictions. Federal comparison source: U.S. Department of Labor.
Maryland Overtime Rules
Maryland requires overtime at 1.5x for hours over 40 per week, matching FLSA.
Additional Information
Maryland reached $15.00 for all employers on January 1, 2024. Tipped minimum cash wage is $3.63/hr. Montgomery County sets higher local rates effective July 1, 2026: $18.00/hr for employers with 51+ employees, $16.50/hr for 11–50 employees, and $15.95/hr for 10 or fewer.