Last Updated on September 16, 2026 by Nasir Hanif
The minimum wage in Maryland is $15.00 per hour in 2026 for most workers. That statewide rate applies regardless of employer size. Some counties require higher hourly pay, so your work location can change the amount your employer legally owes you.
Short answer: Maryland’s statewide hourly floor is $15.00 in 2026. Howard County requires $16.00, while Prince George’s County requires $15.30. Montgomery County rates range from $15.95 to $18.00 based on employer size. Tipped employees generally receive at least $3.63 in direct wages, with tips making up the required total.
| 2026 Maryland wage rule | Current rate or requirement |
| Statewide hourly rate | $15.00 per hour |
| Howard County | $16.00 per hour |
| Prince George’s County | $15.30 per hour |
| Montgomery County, 51+ employees | $18.00 per hour |
| Montgomery County, 11 to 50 employees | $16.50 per hour |
| Montgomery County, 10 or fewer employees | $15.95 per hour |
| State-tipped cash wage | At least $3.63 per hour |
| Workers under 18 | At least 85% of the applicable state rate |
| Standard overtime threshold | Generally after 40 hours in a workweek |
The Maryland Department of Labor lists the statewide rate as $15.00 per hour in 2026, along with the higher county rates shown above.
Table of Contents
Key takeaways
- Most workers covered by state law must receive at least $15.00 an hour.
- Local rules can require more than the statewide amount.
- Montgomery County has three rates based mainly on employer size.
- Tipped workers can receive a lower direct cash wage, but tips and employer-paid wages must reach the required hourly floor.
- Employees under 18 may generally receive 85% of the state rate.
- Most covered employees qualify for overtime after 40 hours in a workweek.
- Workers who believe wages were withheld can contact or file a claim with the Maryland Department of Labor.
What is the minimum wage in Maryland in 2026?
The statewide rate is $15.00 per hour for most covered employees. Maryland’s wage floor is therefore higher than the federal rate of $7.25 per hour. The U.S. Department of Labor lists Maryland at $15.00 as of July 1, 2026.
For a worker putting in 40 hours each week, $15 per hour adds up like this.
- $120 for an eight-hour workday
- $600 for a 40-hour workweek
- $31,200 for 2,080 hours of work in a year
Those figures are gross earnings before federal, state, local, or payroll taxes. They also assume the employee works the stated hours throughout the year.
Employers should check the rules tied to the employee’s primary work location. Maryland guidance says its wage law can apply to employees whose primary work location is in the state even when the employer itself is based elsewhere.
Businesses reviewing payroll and employment costs may also find Digestley’s broader business coverage useful.
County rates can be higher than the state rate.
The statewide number isn’t always the final answer. Maryland’s Department of Labor currently lists higher local requirements in Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties.
Montgomery County
Montgomery County increased its local rates on July 1, 2026. The current amounts depend on employer size:
| Employer size | Hourly rate from July 1, 2026 |
| 51 or more employees | $18.00 |
| 11 to 50 employees | $16.50 |
| 10 or fewer employees | $15.95 |
The county announced these increases in February 2026. It said the adjustment reflected a 2% increase in the regional CPI measure used under county law.
Certain nonprofits and qualifying home-care providers can fall under special employer-size rules. Employers should check the county definition rather than relying only on their total headcount.
Howard County
As of July 1, 2026, the required rate in Howard County is $16.00 per hour for all employer sizes. The increase brought smaller employers up to the same $16 rate that already applied to larger covered employers.
Prince George’s County
Prince George’s County has a $15.30 per hour rate in 2026. That puts its local requirement 30 cents above the statewide floor.
The key lesson for employees and business owners is simple: check the rate where the work is performed rather than assuming $15 always applies.
Digestley’s guide on running a retail business also discusses the practical importance of paying employees correctly and following wage rules.
How does tipped pay work?
Maryland allows employers to use a tip credit for eligible tipped workers. A tipped employee who earns more than $30 per month in tips must generally receive at least $3.63 per hour directly from the employer.
The direct wage and tips together still have to reach the applicable full hourly rate. If they don’t, the employer must cover the shortfall.
For example, suppose a covered employee earns $3.63 in direct hourly pay and receives only $9 in tips for that hour. The total is $12.63. If the applicable floor is $15, the employer can’t leave the employee $2.37 short.
Restaurant employers using a tip credit also have wage-statement obligations. Maryland says those statements must show information used to calculate the worker’s effective hourly pay.
Non-tip-related work can create another issue. State guidance says a tipped employee assigned non-tipped duties must receive the full applicable rate for that non-tipped time.
What is the rate for workers under 18?
Maryland permits employees under age 18 to receive at least 85% of the state hourly floor.
At a $15 statewide rate, 85% works out to $12.75 per hour.
Other child-labor rules can affect the hours, occupations, and conditions under which minors may work. Employers hiring teenagers should review the state’s current minor-employment guidance instead of treating the 85% rule as the only requirement.
Does Maryland require overtime after 40 hours?
Most covered employees are generally entitled to overtime after 40 hours in a workweek, with premium pay commonly calculated at one and one-half times the applicable regular rate. The U.S. Department of Labor lists Maryland’s standard overtime threshold as 40 hours. That doesn’t mean every employee qualifies. Federal and state laws contain exemptions based on duties, industries, and other factors.
Tipped overtime also requires special calculations. Maryland explains that employers using a tip credit calculate overtime from the full applicable rate rather than simply multiplying the lower cash wage by 1.5. Employers dealing with staffing, payroll, and broader workplace decisions can also review Digestley’s discussion of professional HR advice for businesses.
What can you do if you’re paid less than required?
Start by reviewing your pay records. Compare your hourly rate, hours worked, tips, and overtime against the rules that apply where you work.
Maryland’s Employment Standards Service accepts claims involving issues such as incorrect pay rates, unpaid wages, overtime, tips, and compensation for working breaks.
If you believe your employer owes you money, keep useful records.
- Pay stubs and wage statements
- Your own record of dates and hours worked
- Employment or wage agreements
- Messages discussing your pay
- Tip records, when relevant.
The Department of Labor advises workers seeking unpaid wages to first ask the employer for payment. It provides a wage claim process if the problem remains unresolved.
This article provides general information, not individual legal advice. Wage disputes can depend on the work location, job duties, employer type, and other facts.
Check the rate that applies to your workplace.
Before accepting a pay rate or running payroll, identify the county where the employee works and verify the latest requirement with the Maryland Department of Labor. Local rates can change even while the statewide figure stays the same.
If your pay appears too low, save your records and compare them with the state’s official guidance. You can then raise the issue with your employer or review Maryland’s wage-claim process if the shortage isn’t corrected.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Maryland right now?
For most covered workers, it is $15.00 per hour statewide in 2026. Higher local rates can apply in Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties.
Did Maryland increase its statewide rate in 2026?
No statewide increase took effect in 2026. The state rate remains $15 per hour, while several local rates changed during the year.
How much does a full-time worker earn at $15 an hour?
At 40 hours a week for 52 weeks, gross annual earnings are $31,200 before taxes. Weekly gross pay is $600.
Do all Maryland counties pay the same hourly rate?
No. Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties currently have local rates above the statewide amount. Montgomery County’s requirement also varies with employer size.
What is the tipped cash wage?
Eligible tipped employees generally must receive at least $3.63 per hour directly from the employer. Their wages and tips combined must still reach the applicable full rate.
Can a teenager be paid less than an adult?
State law allows employees under 18 to receive at least 85% of the state rate. At today’s $15 hourly floor, that equals $12.75.
