Short answer. Maine DOL, September 18, 2026: the minimum wage increases from $15.10 to $15.70 per hour effective January 1, 2027.
$15.70
Maine minimum wage from January 1, 2027 (+$0.60, 4%)
Maine minimum wage at a glance
- 2027 rate
- $15.70 from January 1, 2027
- 2026 rate
- $15.10 in 2026; tipped direct wage $7.55 (Maine DOL).
- Change
- +$0.60 an hour (4%)
- Tipped employees
- Cash wage $7.55 → $7.85; maximum tip credit $7.85
- Local rates
- Not confirmed on a state page
- Coverage note
- Maine DOL: the salary threshold for overtime-exempt employees becomes $905.79 a week ($47,101.08 a year) in 2027.
Maine tipped employees in 2027
Service employees (more than $191 a month in tips): direct wage rises from $7.55 to $7.85. A server on $7.85 who works 30 hours needs at least $235.50 in tips that week to reach $15.70 an hour; the employer covers any shortfall.
What the Maine change costs: an example
Each row compares a pay rate with the Maine 2027 floor. Weekly cost is the raise times hours, with overtime at time and a half; the last column runs from January 1, 2027 to December 31, 2027 (52.14 weeks). Employer taxes aren't included.
| Employee | Rate now | Hours | Raise | Weekly | Rest of 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At the 2026 minimum | $15.10 | 40 | +$0.60 | $24.00 | $1,251.36 |
| Between the two rates | $15.40 | 30 | +$0.30 | $9.00 | $469.26 |
| Full time plus 5 hours overtime | $15.10 | 45 | +$0.60 | $28.50 | $1,485.99 |
| Already above 2027 | $16.20 | 40 | None | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Tipped, at the 2026 cash wage | $7.55 | 30 | +$0.30 | $9.00 | $469.26 |
Run your own staff list in the payroll change calculator set to Maine.
Updating Maine payroll
- Before January 1, 2027, list everyone paid under $15.70 an hour (or under $7.85 cash for tipped staff), including part-timers and seasonal staff.
- Change the rates in payroll with an effective date of January 1, 2027, and split any pay period that crosses it.
- For tipped staff, update the cash wage and keep checking each week that cash wage plus tips reaches $15.70.
- Replace the Maine minimum wage poster with the 2027 version from the state labor department.
Official Maine sources
- Maine DOL: Maine's minimum wage to increase to $15.70 per hour
- U.S. Department of Labor: State Minimum Wage Laws (updated November 5, 2026)
- U.S. Department of Labor: Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees (revised July 1, 2026)
General information, not legal advice, checked November 2026 against the official Maine pages above. A state can change a rate after we check, cities and counties can set higher rates, and exemptions depend on the job and the employer. Before you change payroll, confirm the rate on the state labor department's site or with your payroll provider or employment attorney. MCC Solutions isn't affiliated with any government agency.
Maine 2027 minimum wage questions
What is the Maine minimum wage in 2027?
$15.70 an hour from January 1, 2027, up from $15.10. Maine DOL, September 18, 2026: the minimum wage increases from $15.10 to $15.70 per hour effective January 1, 2027.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Maine for 2027?
$7.85 an hour in cash wages ($7.55 before the change), with tips making up the rest of $15.70. Service employees (more than $191 a month in tips): direct wage rises from $7.55 to $7.85.
Does the Maine minimum wage cover every employer?
Maine DOL: the salary threshold for overtime-exempt employees becomes $905.79 a week ($47,101.08 a year) in 2027. The state's labor department decides coverage questions.
How much more does a full-time Maine minimum wage worker cost each week in 2027?
$0.60 an hour more, so $24.00 for a 40-hour week before employer taxes, or about $1,251.36 over the rest of 2027. Overtime hours add the raise at time and a half.
Compare every state: minimum wage by state 2027 · Colorado 2027 · Michigan 2027