On January 1, 2025, the following changes to Maine employment law take effect and, unless otherwise noted, apply to employers of all sizes.

MINIMUM WAGE
State
The minimum wage in Maine will increase to $14.65 per hour. The minimum base wage for tipped employees will increase to $7.33 per hour. For an employer to take a tip credit, an employee must make more than $185 per month in tips—this minimum applies in Portland and Rockland as well.

The minimum salary threshold for exempt employees will be $845.21 per week ($43,951 annually).

Portland
The minimum wage in Portland will increase to $15.50 per hour. The minimum base wage for tipped employees will increase to $7.75 per hour.

Rockland
The minimum wage in Rockland for employers with 26 or more employees will increase to $15.38 per hour and the minimum base wage for tipped employees will increase to $7.69 per hour. Smaller employers can pay the state minimum wage and tipped employee base wage.

PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE
The state’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program payroll contributions begin January 1. Employers should post the required notice at each worksite in a conspicuous location in English (and any other primary language spoken by three or more employees in that workplace).

Employers should also be prepared to provide a written notice to each new employee within 30 days of their hire date. More information can be found on the Maine Family and Medical Leave laws page.

Action Items

Post the notice and add it to new hire packets.
Start withholding employee premiums from paychecks on January 1.