Maryland Minimum Wage Act
Maryland Code, Lab. & Emp. 3-413
Regulatory Snapshot: Maryland Minimum Wage Act
Maryland Minimum Wage Act (Maryland Code, Lab. & Emp. 3-413) is an enacted law in Maryland under the Employment & Worker Protection category. It was enacted on 2023-01-01 and becomes effective on 2025-01-01. Maryland currently reports 3 tracked regulations with 3 already in force, giving the state a regulatory strictness score of 48/100 relative to the national baseline. PlainRegWatch last verified this entry on 2026-03-18.
Nationally, 107 states have enacted employment & worker protection statutes and 0 additional bills remain pending — 51 distinct jurisdictions have codified rules in this area so far. That places Maryland within a mature and broadly adopted employment & worker protection landscape where compliance programs typically hinge on definitions in Maryland Code, Lab. & Emp. 3-413 itself.
Applicability under Maryland Minimum Wage Act: All Maryland employers. Penalty exposure is documented as: Dept of Labor enforcement. 3-year back pay period. Notable exemptions: Farm and agricultural workers, domestic service..
Summary
Maryland minimum wage $15.00/hr for all employers (2024 unification). Annually CPI-indexed. Tipped: $3.63/hr.
Key Requirements
$15.00/hr for all employers (large/small unified as of Jan 2024). Tipped: $3.63/hr + tips. Annual CPI indexing.
Penalties
Dept of Labor enforcement. 3-year back pay period.
Applicability
All Maryland employers.
Exemptions
Farm and agricultural workers, domestic service.
Official Source
https://www.labor.maryland.gov/labor/wages/wagehr.shtmlFrequently Asked Questions
Which states have employment & worker protection regulations?
As of the last verification, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection regulations, with 0 additional bills pending across other states. Maryland is among the states that has enacted such legislation. Browse all employment & worker protection regulations at plainregwatch.com for the complete state-by-state comparison.
When was Maryland Minimum Wage Act enacted?
Maryland Minimum Wage Act was enacted on 2023-01-01 and became effective on 2025-01-01. It was introduced as Maryland Code, Lab. & Emp. 3-413.
What are the penalties for violating Maryland Minimum Wage Act?
Dept of Labor enforcement. 3-year back pay period. Note that enforcement mechanisms and penalty structures may vary. Consult the official statute and qualified legal counsel for specific compliance requirements.
Does Maryland Minimum Wage Act apply to small businesses?
All Maryland employers. Many state regulations include thresholds or exemptions for smaller organizations. Review the full applicability criteria and consult legal counsel to determine your obligations.
How does Maryland compare to other states on employment & worker protection?
Maryland has a regulatory strictness score of 48/100, based on 3 enacted regulations out of 3 tracked. Nationally, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection laws. Visit our state comparison page for a full ranking.
Where can I read the full text of Maryland Minimum Wage Act?
The official text of Maryland Minimum Wage Act (Maryland Code, Lab. & Emp. 3-413) is available from the Maryland legislature. PlainRegWatch links to the official source for every tracked regulation. We recommend reviewing the full statute alongside qualified legal counsel for compliance planning.
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Disclaimer: This summary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Regulation details may have changed since last verification (2026-03-18). Always consult official sources and qualified legal counsel for compliance guidance.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
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| Publisher | Kiznis Studio |
| Sources | Public state legislatures, IAPP, NCSL, and federal regulatory trackers |