2022 Maine Minimum Wage
The 2022 Maine Minimum Wage is $12.75.
Effective 2022-01-01Source: Per State Law, Maine's Minimum Wage to Increase to $12.75 Per Hour in 2022 (Maine Department of Labor)Verified 2026-08-31
Compared with 2021
| Item | 2021 | 2022 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $12.15 | $12.75 | +$0.60 (+4.9%) |
Who it applies to
Employers and workers in Maine subject to the state minimum wage.
What changed this year, and why
Maine's minimum wage increased to $12.75 per hour effective January 1, 2022, adjusted annually under state law based on the cost of living index.
Common questions
- What is the minimum wage in Maine for 2022?
- Maine's minimum wage in 2022 is $12.75 per hour, effective January 1, 2022. The rate is adjusted annually based on the cost of living index for the Northeast Region.
- Does this minimum wage apply to all workers in Maine?
- Yes. The 2022 rate of $12.75 per hour took effect on January 1, 2022, pursuant to Maine state law.
Minors, students and training wages: who may be paid less than the rate on this page
In Maine, the standard minimum wage is $12.75 per hour, but certain workers may receive a lower direct cash wage from their employer. The most common example is the service employee minimum wage, also called the "tip wage," which is set at $6.38 per hour. This lower rate applies only to employees who customarily and regularly receive tips as part of their work. Even though these workers receive a direct cash wage of $6.38 per hour, the employer must ensure that the employee's total earnings, including tips, reach at least $12.75 per hour. Other categories of workers who may qualify for reduced wages under specific conditions include certain minors and employees in approved training programs. Workers who believe they are being paid below the lawful rate should contact the Maine Department of Labor.
In addition to the minimum wage, the new "tip wage," or service employee minimum wage, in 2022 will be $6.38 per hour.
Per State Law, Maine's Minimum Wage to Increase to $12.75 Per Hour in 2022 (Maine Department of Labor)
Overtime is paid at one and one-half times the regular rate
In Maine, overtime eligibility is not determined solely by how much a worker is paid. Even if an employee earns above the minimum salary threshold established under state law, they may still be entitled to overtime premium pay based on the specific duties of their position. The law requires that both the salary level and the actual job duties be evaluated to determine whether a worker is exempt from overtime. This means that a worker in Maine who earns a relatively high salary could still qualify for overtime pay if their day-to-day responsibilities do not meet the criteria for exemption. Employers must carefully analyze each worker's duties rather than relying on salary alone when deciding whether overtime pay is required.
An individual can earn more than the minimum salary threshold and still be eligible for overtime.
Per State Law, Maine's Minimum Wage to Increase to $12.75 Per Hour in 2022 (Maine Department of Labor)
Who to ask about this rate, and where to take a wage complaint
Workers in Maine who believe their employer has paid them less than the minimum wage of $12.75 per hour, or who have other wage-related concerns, should contact the Maine Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Standards. This bureau is the state agency responsible for enforcing minimum wage and overtime laws. It handles complaints from workers, investigates potential violations, and provides guidance to both workers and employers about their rights and obligations under Maine wage law. The Bureau also offers free trainings on wage and hour requirements. Workers can reach the Bureau by email or through its website to file a complaint or ask questions about whether their pay meets the legal requirements.
The Departments Bureau of Labor Standards is responsible for enforcing the states minimum wage and overtime statutes and ensuring that both workers and employers understand and comply with the law.
Per State Law, Maine's Minimum Wage to Increase to $12.75 Per Hour in 2022 (Maine Department of Labor)
When tips, meals or lodging count toward the minimum wage
In Maine, employers of tipped service employees may pay a lower direct cash wage than the standard minimum wage. However, the employer carries the burden of proving that the employee's total earnings meet the minimum wage requirement. Specifically, when the employer's direct cash payment and the tips received by the employee are added together at the end of each week, the combined amount must equal at least $12.75 per hour for all hours worked. If the tips in a given week are insufficient to bring the employee's total compensation up to $12.75 per hour, the employer must make up the difference. This rule ensures that tipped workers in Maine are never paid less than the full minimum wage once all sources of compensation are counted.
The employer must be able to show that the employee receives at least the minimum wage of $12.75 per hour when the direct wage and tips are combined at the end of the week.
Per State Law, Maine's Minimum Wage to Increase to $12.75 Per Hour in 2022 (Maine Department of Labor)
Why the federal rate applies when the state rate is lower
In the United States, both federal and state minimum wage laws may apply to a worker simultaneously. When the two laws provide different rates, the worker is entitled to the higher of the two amounts. In Maine, the state minimum wage of $12.75 per hour currently exceeds the federal minimum wage, so workers in Maine are paid the state rate. However, if a state were to set its minimum wage below the federal floor, the federal rate would apply instead, ensuring that no worker receives less than the federal minimum. The interaction between federal and state law means that workers are always protected by whichever standard provides the greater benefit. Maine's current rate demonstrates how a state can provide stronger protections than the federal baseline.
This is only one of the factors used in determining whether a worker is exempt from overtime pay under federal or state law.
Per State Law, Maine's Minimum Wage to Increase to $12.75 Per Hour in 2022 (Maine Department of Labor)
How the rate is adjusted each year, and who announces it
In Maine, the minimum wage of $12.75 per hour is not a fixed amount that stays the same forever. State law requires that the minimum wage be adjusted every year to reflect changes in the cost of living. The adjustment is tied to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, known as the CPI-W, which measures inflation for the Northeast Region. The data used for this calculation comes from the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. Each year, the Maine Department of Labor reviews this data and announces the new minimum wage rate, which takes effect on January 1. This means that workers in Maine can expect their minimum wage to change annually as prices rise or fall, ensuring that the floor on wages keeps pace with the cost of living in the region.
Maine law requires annual adjustments to the minimum wage based on the cost of living index (CPI-W) for the Northeast Region.
Per State Law, Maine's Minimum Wage to Increase to $12.75 Per Hour in 2022 (Maine Department of Labor)
How each figure was verified
Each number below was read from a stored copy of the document named beside it, and checked to occur word for word in the quoted sentence. The digest is of that stored text.
Per State Law, Maine's Minimum Wage to Increase to $12.75 Per Hour in 2022 (Maine Department of Labor)
- Hourly
The employer must be able to show that the employee receives at least the minimum wage of $12.75 per hour when the direct wage and tips are combined at the end of the week.
Other years
Every Maine Minimum Wage year · Minimum Wage in every state