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The Maine Labor Laws are enacted to protect employees by discouraging discrimination, providing equal treatment, granting job-protected time off, and upholding safe workplace practices. Though most states mirror federal employment laws closely, Maine has its own collection of progressive and worker-friendly legislation.
Check the blog to know more about labor laws in Maine 2025.
Standard Working Hours & Overtime
Maine takes a different approach from most states by establishing its own wage standards, overseen by the Department of Labor and the Bureau of Labor Standards.
Minimum Wages
Maine has the unique distinction of taking a different route compared to the majority of states by having its own wage standards.
Starting January 1, 2025, the state minimum wage in Maine is $14.65 an hour. This is what all employees receive, whether they are public sector or private sector employees.
Overtime Laws
As per the state of Maine labor laws, overtime laws closely follow federal law but also contain specific state restrictions. Workers who work over 40 hours during a week must be paid a minimum of 1.5 times their regular hourly compensation per extra hour worked.
Maine also puts a limit on excessive overtime. In the majority of cases, employers are not able to force employees to work more than 80 hours of overtime in 2 weeks.
Tipped Minimum Wages
Maine has certain regulations for service workers who consistently receive tips. To be eligible, an employee must collect no less than $185 monthly in tips. Employers are then allowed to pay an hourly tipped minimum wage of $7.33, as long as the employee’s wage and tips combined total at least the state minimum wage of $14.65 per hour.
Meal And Rest Breaks
There are no particular Maine labor laws breaks to offer break periods for eating. However, employers that have 3 or more employees on duty during the same time must provide employees with a 30-minute unpaid break after 6 hours of work, unless an alternative is specified in a written agreement.
For minors, employers also have to comply with both federal and state child labor laws. In Maine, children under 16 require a work permit from their school superintendent. Children under 17 are prohibited from working during school hours, whereas 16- and 17-year-olds can only work six hours on school days and 10 hours on non-school days.
Child Labor Laws
Maine establishes the minimum age for work at 14 years old, with some exceptions. Children younger than that can work in specific employments, like non-hazardous farm work, school lunch (limited to serving or sanitation), or for their own parents in non-hazardous positions.
Any employee under the age of 16 must also have a work permit, which is employer-specific. Maine labor laws minors entail that minors require a new permit for every job they get. They are only allowed a single work permit during school time and two over the summer.
These permits are granted by the office of the school superintendent and must be approved by the Department of Labor. Employers must retain the permit on file and return it to the Department when the minor quits their employment.
Leave Laws in Maine
Workers occasionally have to go off work to attend to serious personal issues, like undergoing medical attention or attending to a relative. Maine legislation guarantees that entitled workers can get job-protected leave in such situations.
Maine has recently improved its leave safeguards by enacting a paid family and medical leave law, set to take effect in 2026, that will provide up to 12 weeks of paid leave to eligible employees for:
- Medical leave.
- Safe leave.
- Caregiver leave.
- Parental leave.
- Leave during the military deployment of a loved one.
Employers with 15+ workers are required to offer as much as 10 weeks of unpaid leave for purposes such as:
- Covering the employee’s own serious health condition.
- Taking care of a family member with a medical condition.
- The birth or adoption of a child (including a domestic partner’s child).
- A family member in the Armed Forces who is injured or killed on active duty.
Employees must have worked for their employer for at least 12 consecutive months to qualify.
Worker Compensation Benefits
The majority of employers are mandated to have Maine labor laws salary employees to cover employees who get hurt on the job or get work-related diseases. Employers can buy coverage from a licensed insurer or self-insure.
Workers’ compensation could pay for:
- Medical care for the injury or disease.
- Lost wages for employees with more than 7 days of lost work.
- Loss of a limb.
- Vocational rehabilitation.
- Death benefits for dependents of the employee.
They need to report an on-the-job injury to their employer within 60 days. Should the injury result in a loss of at least one day of work, the employer needs to report the injury to the Maine Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) within 7 days, give notice to their insurer, and share a copy with the employee.
Taxes In Maine
Maine has a state income tax that is graduated, with rates from 5.80% to 7.15% according to income level.
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Curious Minds Also Ask
How many breaks do you get in an 8 hour shift in Maine?
You can get a 30-minute unpaid meal break after working 6 consecutive hours.
How many hours can you work in a day in Maine?
There is no limit to working in Maine. As per the child labor laws employers can set the working limits for the minors.
Is it legal to quit a job without a two-week notice in Maine?
Yes, you can quit your job as per your consideration. Maine is an at-will employment state.
How many sick days are required by law in Maine?
There is no rule regarding sick days in Maine.
Can I waive my lunch break in Maine?
You can waive your lunch break if the employer permits.
Does PTO have to be paid out in Maine?
If your employer allows you, you have to be paid out for the PTO.
What is the overtime rule in Maine?
You can get 1.5* regular pay if you work more than 40 hours per week. Check the rules for the exemptions.
Can you be fired without cause in Maine?
Yes, you can be fired without cause in Maine, unless the reason is illegal.
Can you collect unemployment in Maine if you quit your job?
No, you can’t collect. Only if you are quitting the job for a good cause.
What is the new paid leave law in Maine?
From the starting 2026, you can get up to 12 weeks leave for any kind of medical reason.
What is the new salary law in Maine?
As per the new salary law in Maine, the state minimum wage is $14.65/hour.
What is the PTO rule in Maine?
PTO should be paid upon termination.
Are 15 minute breaks required by law in Maine?
No, 15-minute breaks are not required by law in Maine.
Is 32 hours full-time in Maine?
The 32-40 hours are considered standard working hours per week in Maine.
FAQ's
What is the minimum wage in Maine for 2025?
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As of January 1, 2025, Maine’s minimum wage is $15.00 per hour, with annual adjustments tied to the cost of living. Tipped employees must receive at least half of the minimum wage in direct pay, and tips must bring their total earnings up to the full minimum wage.
Does Maine require employers to provide paid sick leave in 2025?
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Yes. Under Maine’s “Earned Paid Leave” law, employees earn 1 hour of paid leave for every 40 hours worked, up to 40 hours per year. This leave can be used for any reason, including illness or personal matters.
What are the overtime rules in Maine for 2025?
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Non-exempt employees must be paid 1.5 times their regular rate for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek. Certain exemptions apply, such as for salaried executive, administrative, and professional employees.
Does Maine have specific meal or rest break requirements in 2025?
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Yes. Maine law requires that employees working 6 consecutive hours or more must be given at least a 30-minute unpaid meal break, unless the nature of the work allows breaks while working and both employer and employee agree to that arrangement.
