The Maine state minimum wage for 2023 is $13.80 per hour, after a January increase from the previous rate of $12.75. This increase represents a $1.05 increase, which equates to 8.2%, and is one of the biggest minimum wage increases of the year for all states and also makes Maine’s minimum wage one of the highest in the U.S.
Every state has a specific minimum wage, typically measured via the consumer price index for that state, also taking into account inflation and cost of living. However, there are still many states that use the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour as a guide on what workers should be paid as a basic minimum wage, fortunately for those working in Maine, this is not the case.
Did the Maine Minimum Wage Go Up?
The graphic below showcases the Maine state minimum wage over the past several years, dating back to 2018, when the rate was just $10.00 per hour, and ending in our current year, 2023.
If you are a full-time worker on the Maine state minimum wage, your earnings could be as follows:
- Daily Minimum Wage: $108.00 (based on an 8-hour working day).
- Weekly Minimum Wage: $552.00 (based on a 40-hour week).
- Yearly Minimum Wage: $28,704 (based on being paid 52 weeks per year).
You can view and download the Maine minimum wage labor law poster for 2022-2023 here at no charge. Employers must display an official poster outlining the requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), ensuring that accurate employee time and pay records are kept.
Maine Minimum Wage Future Increases
In 2023, the minimum wage increased to $13.80 per hour, which was a $1.05 wage increase from 2022. This wage increase was over double the wage increase in 2022 when Maine increased the minimum wage to $12.75 per hour from $12.15 per hour in 2021.
Minimum wage increases are usually based on inflation, a rise in the cost of living, and due to everything that transpired over the prior year, it comes as no surprise that Maine, like some other states, has seen a modest, but much-needed increase to the minimum wage.
Going forward, it doesn’t seem like Maine has any plans to stop increasing the minimum wage each year, which is a positive reflection on the state of the economy in Maine and how it takes care of its workers.
The Maine Department of Labor enforces the minimum wage in Maine, if you have any questions or concerns, check out their website. You can also check back to this page often as it receives constant updates and news regarding the minimum wage in Maine.
Maine Minimum Wage History
The table below provides the current rate and history of Maine minimum wage over the past 40+ years since 1983. You can see when there were increases in the minimum wage, how much they were, and what percentage increase it represents each year.
| State | Wage | $ Wage Increase | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maine Minimum Wage 2023 | $13.80 | $1.05 | 8.2% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 2022 | $12.75 | $0.60 | 4.9% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 2021 | $12.15 | $0.15 | 1.25% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 2020 | $12.00 | $1.00 | 9% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 2019 | $11.00 | $1.00 | 10% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 2018 | $10.00 | $1.00 | 11% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 2017 | $9.00 | $1.50 | 20% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 2016 | $7.50 | $0 | 0% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 2015 | $7.50 | $0 | 0% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 2014 | $7.50 | $0 | 0% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 2013 | $7.50 | $0 | 0% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 2012 | $7.50 | $0 | 0% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 2011 | $7.50 | $0 | 0% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 2010 | $7.50 | $0.25 | 3.4% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 2009 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 2008 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 2007 | $7.00 | $0.25 | 3.7% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 2006 | $6.75 | $0.25 | 3.84% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 2005 | $6.50 | $0.15 | 2.36% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 2004 | $6.35 | $0.10 | 1.6% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 2003 | $6.25 | $0.50 | 8.69% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 2002 | $5.75 | $0.60 | 11.65% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 2001 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 2000 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 1999 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 1998 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 1997 | $5.15 | $0.40 | 8.42% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 1996 | $4.75 | $0.50 | 11.76% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 1995 | $4.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 1994 | $4.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 1993 | $4.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 1992 | $4.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 1991 | $4.25 | $0.40 | 10.38% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 1990 | $3.85 | $0.10 | 2.66% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 1989 | $3.75 | $0.10 | 2.73% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 1988 | $3.65 | $0 | 0% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 1987 | $3.65 | $0.10 | 2.81% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 1986 | $3.55 | $0.10 | 2.89% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 1985 | $3.45 | $0.10 | 2.98% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 1984 | $3.35 | $0 | 0% |
| Maine Minimum Wage 1983 | $3.35 | $0 | 0% |
Maine Minimum Wage Exemptions
In addition to the regular minimum wage rate, there are a few Maine state minimum wage exemptions that typically depend on your age or employment situation. Below are the various minimum wage exemptions with some situational examples.
Maine Student Minimum Wage
The minimum wage for student employees in Maine is 85% of the Maine minimum wage, making their hourly pay $11.73 per hour in 2023.
This hourly rate is for any hours worked up to 20 hours per week. As a student employee, once you surpass 20 hours per week, you will be eligible to be paid the Maine minimum wage rate of $13.80 per hour.
Being a student can be financially challenging, leading many students to pick up part-time jobs to make extra money while studying. Despite a student minimum wage rate, many Maine employers will not necessarily follow it and pay you equal to or more than the statewide minimum wage.
Many work-study programs are available at universities, which is a route many students go down. Still, coffee shop, cafe, bar, and restaurant jobs are commonly taken by students as they can work them into their class schedule.
Maine Under 20 Minimum Wage
If you are under 20 years old in Maine, federal law allows your employer to pay you as little as $4.25 per hour for your first 90 days of employment.
Once the 90-day period is over, you will be eligible to be paid the 2023 Maine minimum wage of $13.80 per hour or potentially even more.
Fortunately for young workers, this is 90 calendar days and not 90 working days; therefore, it can be completed relatively quickly and within about three months.
Maine Tipped Minimum Wage
If you are a tipped employee in Maine (someone who receives regular tips as a part of their job) then you are eligible to be paid a minimum wage of $6.90 per hour, with a tip credit of $6.90 per hour, ensuring that you reach the statewide minimum wage regardless if you make enough hourly tips.
Maine Overtime Minimum Wage
Once you work over 40 hours a week, you are eligible to be paid an overtime rate of 1.5 times your hourly wage for every hour you work past 40. So, the overtime minimum wage in Maine is $20.70 per hour, 1.5 times the minimum wage of $13.80 per hour.
