MDMaryland pay rules
Minimum wage $15.00. Overtime after 40 hours in a week. If you are fired, your last check is due by the next regular payday.
Maryland minimum wage$15.00 now
Maryland overtime lawsWeekly overtime after 40 hours
Maryland final paycheck lawFired: next regular payday
Maryland PTO payout lawPayout required by law
| Rule | Maryland | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | $15.00 an hour since January 1, 2024. No change planned. Howard, Montgomery and Prince George's counties set higher rates. | read the rulechecked October 29, 2026 |
| Cash pay if you get tips | At least $3.63 an hour. Tips may make up the rest, up to $11.37. | read the rulechecked October 29, 2026 |
| Overtime | 1.5x after 40 hours in a work week. No daily overtime. | Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. 3-415checked October 29, 2026 |
| Last check if fired | Next regular payday | Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. 3-505, 3-507.2checked October 29, 2026 |
| Last check if you quit | Next regular payday | Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. 3-505, 3-507.2checked October 29, 2026 |
| If the last check is late | Wage Payment and Collection Law: up to three times the unpaid amount if wages are withheld without a genuine disagreement. | Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. 3-505, 3-507.2checked October 29, 2026 |
| Unused vacation when you leave | Must be paid out. Earned but unused vacation must be paid when you leave the job unless the employer has a written rule that unused time is lost given to the employee at hire. | Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. 3-505checked October 29, 2026 |
| Meal break | Retail employers with 50 or more employees: 15-minute break for 4 to 6 consecutive hours, 30 minutes for more than 6. No general rule for other adults. | read the rulechecked October 29, 2026 |
| Rest break | No state rest period requirement. | read the rulechecked October 29, 2026 |
These rules cover the whole state. Cities and industries with their own rules are noted in the table. Checked October 29, 2026. Next check: January 1, 2027.