Maine Increases Minimum Wage to $15.70 Per Hour

The Maine Department of Labor announced that the state minimum wage will increase from $15.10 to $15.70 per hour effective January 1, 2027. This annual adjustment is mandated by state law to account for cost-of-living changes in the Northeast region. The increase follows a 4.1% rise in the cost-of-living index (CPI-W) between August 2025 and August 2026, as reported by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The new rate applies to all workers, including those in the agricultural sector. For tipped service employees, the minimum wage will rise from $7.55 to $7.85 per hour. Employers must ensure that the combination of tips and wages meets the $15.70 hourly minimum. Additionally, the monthly tip threshold required to qualify as a service employee will increase from $191 to $199.

Starting January 1, 2027, the state will also raise the minimum salary threshold for workers exempt from overtime pay. The new threshold will be $905.79 per week, which totals $47,101.08 per year.