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Maryland Labor Laws

Maryland has comprehensive labor protections including a $15 minimum wage for large employers, paid sick and safe leave, meal breaks for retail employees, and higher local minimum wages in Montgomery County.

Important: Maryland's minimum wage varies by employer size and location. Montgomery County has a higher minimum wage of $16.70 for large employers.

Minimum Wage

Maryland has a state minimum wage that reached $15 in 2025, with different schedules for small vs large employers.

Key Requirements

  • Large employers (15+ employees): $15.00 per hour (as of January 1, 2025)
  • Small employers (14 or fewer): $12.80 in 2024, increasing to $15.00 by 2026
  • Montgomery County: $16.70 for large employers, $15.00 for small (2024)
  • Tipped employees: $3.63/hour for large employers (with tip credit)
  • Annual adjustments may apply after reaching $15

Additional Resources

Overtime

Maryland follows federal overtime requirements with some additional state provisions.

Key Requirements

  • Overtime pay: 1.5x regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek
  • No daily overtime requirement (calculated weekly)
  • Standard FLSA exemptions apply (executive, administrative, professional)
  • Special overtime rules for certain agricultural workers
  • Some employers with fewer employees may have different thresholds

Additional Resources

Meal Breaks

Maryland requires meal breaks for certain employees.

Key Requirements

  • Retail employees: 30-minute break for shifts over 6 consecutive hours
  • Break must be provided unless employee is allowed to eat while working
  • Minors under 18: 30-minute break for every 5 consecutive hours worked
  • No general meal break requirement for all adult employees
  • If breaks are voluntarily provided, short breaks must be paid

Additional Resources

Paid Sick and Safe Leave

Maryland requires paid sick and safe leave for employees working for employers with 15+ employees.

Key Requirements

  • Employers with 15+ employees: Must provide paid sick leave
  • Employers with 14 or fewer: Must provide unpaid sick leave
  • Accrual: 1 hour for every 30 hours worked
  • Maximum use: 40 hours for paid leave, 64 hours for unpaid leave per year
  • Can be used for illness, preventive care, or safe leave (domestic violence, sexual assault)

Additional Resources

Payment of Wages

Maryland has specific requirements for wage payment frequency and timing.

Key Requirements

  • Employees must be paid at least twice per month
  • Payment must be made within certain time frames after end of pay period
  • Final wages: Must be paid by next scheduled payday
  • Direct deposit allowed with employee written authorization
  • Wage deductions require written authorization except as required by law

Additional Resources

Child Labor

Maryland has comprehensive restrictions on youth employment.

Key Requirements

  • Work permits required for minors under 18
  • Ages 14-15: Limited to 3 hours per school day, 23 hours per week during school
  • Ages 14-15: 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week when school not in session
  • Ages 16-17: May work unlimited hours but hazardous occupation restrictions apply
  • Minors under 16 cannot work before 7am or after 7pm (9pm in summer)

Additional Resources

Minimum Wage by Employer Size and Location

Maryland's minimum wage structure is complex:

State - Large Employers (15+)

$15.00/hour

Reached in January 2025

State - Small Employers (14 or fewer)

$12.80/hour

Increasing to $15 by 2026

Montgomery County - Large

$16.70/hour

Higher local minimum

Montgomery County - Small

$15.00/hour

Local small employer rate

Paid Sick and Safe Leave

Maryland's sick leave law includes "safe leave" provisions:

Can Be Used For:

  • Employee's or family member's illness or injury
  • Preventive medical care
  • Safe leave due to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking
  • Care related to maternity or paternity leave

Retail Employee Meal Breaks

Maryland requires meal breaks specifically for retail employees:

Retail establishment employees working shifts over 6 consecutive hours must receive a 30-minute break.

Exception: Break not required if employee is allowed to eat while working and nature of work allows adequate rest and opportunity to eat.

Navigate Maryland's Complex Wage Requirements

Rightwork automatically applies the correct minimum wage based on employer size and location, tracks paid sick leave accruals, and enforces retail meal break requirements.

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