2023 Maine Minimum Wage
The 2023 Maine Minimum Wage is $13.80.
Effective 2023-01-01Source: Upcoming Labor Law Changes in 2023 (Maine Department of Labor)Verified 2026-08-31
Compared with 2022
| Item | 2022 | 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $12.75 | $13.80 | +$1.05 (+8.2%) |
Who it applies to
All employers in Maine covered by the state minimum wage law
What changed this year, and why
Maine's state minimum wage increased to $13.80 per hour, up from $12.75 per hour in 2022.
Common questions
- When did the new minimum wage take effect?
- The $13.80 per hour minimum wage took effect on January 1, 2023.
- Why did the minimum wage change?
- Maine law requires annual adjustments to the minimum wage based on the cost-of-living index (CPI-W) for the Northeast Region.
Overtime is paid at one and one-half times the regular rate
In Maine, the minimum salary threshold for exempting a worker from overtime pay is $796.17 per week, or $41,401 per year, effective January 1, 2023. This threshold is tied to the state minimum wage of $13.80 per hour and is updated each year when the minimum wage changes. If a salaried employee in Maine earns less than this amount, they are entitled to overtime pay regardless of their job title. However, meeting the salary threshold alone does not guarantee overtime eligibility. Employers must also consider the specific duties each worker performs. An employee who earns above the threshold may still qualify for overtime if their job duties do not meet the exemption criteria under Maine or federal law. Workers in Maine should evaluate both their salary level and their actual job responsibilities when determining whether they are entitled to overtime compensation.
The minimum salary threshold for exempting a worker from overtime pay is also based on the minimum wage. Starting January 1, 2023, the new minimum salary threshold is $796.17 per week, or $41,401 per year. This is only one of the factors used in determining whether a worker is exempt from overtime pay under federal or state law. An individual can earn more than the minimum salary threshold and still be eligible for overtime. The duties of each worker must be considered as part of this analysis.
Upcoming Labor Law Changes in 2023 (Maine Department of Labor)
Who to ask about this rate, and where to take a wage complaint
Workers and employers in Maine with questions about the state minimum wage of $13.80 per hour or other labor law requirements can contact the Maine Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Standards. The bureau is available by phone at 207-623-7900 or by email at bls.mdol@maine.gov. The Bureau of Labor Standards is the state agency responsible for enforcing Maine's labor laws, including minimum wage and overtime statutes. Workers who believe their rights have been violated can file a complaint with the bureau. Employers seeking guidance or interested in the department's free training programs can also reach out through the same channels. Additional information about Maine labor laws is available on the department's website and through printed labor posters that employers are required to display in the workplace.
You may also contact the Maine Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Standards at 207-623-7900 or bls.mdol@maine.gov. The Departments Bureau of Labor Standards is responsible for enforcing the state's labor laws, such as minimum wage and overtime statutes, and ensuring that both workers and employers understand and comply with the law.
Upcoming Labor Law Changes in 2023 (Maine Department of Labor)
State minimum wage laws that give more than the federal rate
Maine workers are covered by both federal and state labor laws when it comes to overtime eligibility. Determining whether a worker is exempt from overtime pay requires looking at more than just one factor. Salary level is important, but it is not the only consideration. Even if a worker earns above the applicable salary threshold, they may still be entitled to overtime pay depending on the specific duties they perform on the job. Because both federal and state law govern overtime rules, employers in Maine must evaluate each employee's situation under both legal frameworks. Workers in Maine should understand that both sets of rules apply to them and that the exemption analysis considers salary, job duties, and the combined requirements of state and federal law.
This is only one of the factors used in determining whether a worker is exempt from overtime pay under federal or state law. An individual can earn more than the minimum salary threshold and still be eligible for overtime. The duties of each worker must be considered as part of this analysis.
Upcoming Labor Law Changes in 2023 (Maine Department of Labor)
When tips, meals or lodging count toward the minimum wage
In Maine, the 2023 minimum wage is $13.80 per hour. State law also sets a lower direct cash wage — called the "tip wage" or service employee minimum wage — at $6.90 per hour for workers who customarily receive tips. Employers must be able to show, at the end of each week, that the employee's direct cash wage plus tips received equal at least $13.80 per hour for all hours worked. If the combined total falls short, the employer must make up the difference so the worker receives the full state minimum wage. This rule applies to service employees in Maine. The tip credit system means tips count toward meeting the minimum wage obligation, but only if the employer can verify the total reaches $13.80 per hour each week.
In addition to the minimum wage, the new "tip wage," or service employee minimum wage, in 2023 will be $6.90 per hour. This means that service employees must receive at least a direct cash wage of $6.90 per hour from the employer. The employer must be able to show that the employee receives at least the minimum wage of $13.80 per hour when the direct wage and tips are combined at the end of the week.
Upcoming Labor Law Changes in 2023 (Maine Department of Labor)
What an employer may deduct from your pay
Maine law prohibits employers from requiring employees to pay for certain business losses or expenses that would effectively reduce their pay below the minimum wage of $13.80 per hour. Specifically, employers cannot require workers to cover losses from broken merchandise, bad checks, or unpaid customer bills. They also cannot charge employees for special uniforms or certain tools of the trade. These protections ensure that workers in Maine receive their full earned wages without unauthorized deductions that would bring their compensation below the legal minimum. If an employer attempts to pass these costs on to employees, it may violate state wage and hour laws. Workers who believe they have been subjected to such unfair agreements should contact the Maine Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Standards to file a complaint or seek guidance.
Unfair Agreement - Employers cannot require that an employee pay for losses such as broken merchandise, bad checks, or bills not paid by customers, nor for special uniforms and certain tools of the trade.
Upcoming Labor Law Changes in 2023 (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.
Upcoming Labor Law Changes in 2023 (Maine Department of Labor)
- Hourly
Maine's Minimum Wage to Increase to $13.80 Per Hour in 2023
Other years
Every Maine Minimum Wage year · Minimum Wage in every state