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The Mandate Monitor

What employers in Maine must do

Checked November 8, 2026From the agencies that run each program

Short answer

Employers in Maine must pay at least $15.10 an hour, rising to $15.70 on January 1, 2027.

Maine runs a paid leave program, Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave, funded by a premium of 1% of wages in 2026.

Maine employers covered by MERIT that don’t offer a qualified retirement plan must register by their deadline.

The next dated change in Maine is January 1, 2027: Maine minimum wage rises to $15.70.

Does your payroll handle Maine’s programs? See the free state route and the 7 payroll systems with help docs that cover them.

Maine requirements at a glance

RequirementStatusWhat it means for you
Minimum wageIn effect$15.10 an hour; $15.70 from January 1, 2027
Retirement mandate: MERITIn effectMaine employers (for-profit or nonprofit) with 5 or more W-2 employees, counting part-time workers, that have been in business at least two years and haven’t offered a qualified plan in the current or two prior calendar years. The statute excludes employers not in business during both the current and preceding calendar year. Eligibility is reviewed annually based on the prior year. Covered employees are 18 or older and must be added once they’ve been on payroll 120 days.
Paid leave: Maine Paid Family and Medical LeaveIn effectAny business that employs people at a location in Maine, of any size, plus the State and Maine counties, cities and towns. The federal government is excluded, and independent contractors are not employees. Self-employed people and tribal governments may elect coverage.

Pay rules Maine employers must follow

Paydays
At regular intervals of no more than 16 days, covering wages earned up to 8 days before payday. Salaried employees and family members are excluded.
Final paycheck, fired
By the next regular payday.
Final paycheck, quit
By the next regular payday.
Meal breaks
30-minute break (paid or unpaid) after 6 hours in a row. It can be the unpaid meal break if the employee is fully relieved of duty. Exceptions include emergencies, written agreements, and sites with fewer than 3 people on duty that allow frequent paid breaks.
Rest breaks
No other rest breaks required. Shorter breaks the employer allows must be paid.
Overtime
State law requires time and a half after 40 hours in a workweek in most employment situations.
New hire reporting
Within 7 days of the date of hire or rehire, to the Maine New Hire Reporting Program (Maine Department of Health and Human Services). Independent contractors expected to be paid $2,500 or more in a year must also be reported.

From the Maine Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Labor’s state tables, checked November 8, 2026.

Upcoming Maine deadlines

  1. · Minimum wage

    Maine minimum wage rises to $15.70

    Tipped cash wage: $7.85

  2. · Paid leave

    Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave: Fourth-quarter 2026 premiums and contribution report due through the Maine Paid Leave Portal

    January 31, 2027 is a Sunday, so the deadline moves to Monday.

  3. · Paid leave

    Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave: First-quarter 2027 premiums and contribution report due through the Maine Paid Leave Portal

  4. · Retirement mandate

    MERIT: Registration deadline for employers newly notified in 2027

    5+ employees

  5. · Retirement mandate

    MERIT: Maximum penalty rises to $100 per covered employee

  6. · Paid leave

    Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave: Second-quarter 2027 premiums and contribution report due

    July 31 is a Saturday, so the deadline moves to Monday.

  7. · Paid leave

    Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave: Last day for MDOL to set the 2028 premium, the first year the law has the department set the rate each year

  8. · Paid leave

    Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave: Third-quarter 2027 premiums and contribution report due

    October 31 is a Sunday, so the deadline moves to Monday.

  9. · Paid leave

    Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave: Fourth-quarter 2027 premiums and contribution report due

  10. · Paid leave

    Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave: First-quarter 2028 premiums and contribution report due

    April 30 is a Sunday, so the deadline moves to Monday.

  11. · Retirement mandate

    MERIT: Registration deadline for employers newly notified in 2028

    5+ employees

  12. · Paid leave

    Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave: Second-quarter 2028 premiums and contribution report due

  13. · Paid leave

    Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave: Last day for MDOL to set the 2029 premium

  14. · Paid leave

    Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave: Third-quarter 2028 premiums and contribution report due

Deadline calendar for every state · How to hire your first employee · Employer law changes for 2027 · All states

Sources

  1. Maine Department of Labor
  2. Maine Retirement Savings Board
  3. Maine Department of Labor (MDOL), Paid Family and Medical Leave
  4. State Payday Requirements (last revised January 1, 2023), U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (read Nov 7, 2026)
  5. Minimum Length of Meal Period Required under State Law for Adult Employees in Private Sector (last revised January 1, 2023), U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (read Nov 7, 2026)
  6. Minimum Paid Rest Period Requirements Under State Law for Adult Employees in Private Sector (last revised January 1, 2023), U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (read Nov 7, 2026)
  7. State Minimum Wage Laws, including premium (overtime) pay after designated hours (updated November 5, 2026), U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (read Nov 7, 2026)
  8. Labor Laws FAQ, Maine Department of Labor (read Nov 8, 2026)
  9. 26 MRSA §621-A, Timely and full payment of wages, Maine Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes (read Nov 8, 2026)
  10. New Hire FAQ, Maine Department of Health and Human Services (read Nov 8, 2026)
  11. 26 MRSA §601, Rest breaks, Maine Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes (read Nov 8, 2026)