Maryland Employment Law — full calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are Maryland's overtime rules for 2026?

  Most Maryland employees earn overtime at 1.5× their regular rate for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek, mirroring the federal FLSA. Two exceptions: agricultural workers reach the OT threshold at 60 hours/week, and employees at care facilities or bowling alleys at 48 hours/week. Maryland has no daily overtime requirement. Source: Maryland Department of Labor, as of 2026.

• When must a Maryland employer issue a final paycheck?

  Maryland requires all final wages to be paid on or before the next regularly scheduled payday, regardless of whether the employee was fired, laid off, or resigned voluntarily. There is no same-day or 72-hour rule. Late payment can trigger treble damages (3× unpaid wages) plus attorney fees under Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. § 3-507.2.

• Are non-compete agreements enforceable in Maryland?

  It depends on the worker type and salary. Non-competes are automatically void for general employees earning ≤$46,800/yr (150% × $15/hr minimum wage). For licensed healthcare professionals providing direct patient care, non-competes are void if the employee earns ≤$350,000/yr (HB 1388, eff. July 1, 2025). All non-competes for licensed veterinary professionals are void regardless of salary (eff. June 1, 2024).

• Does Maryland require employers to provide meal or rest breaks?

  Maryland does not require meal or rest breaks for adult employees in most settings. Two exceptions: (1) minors under 18 must receive a 30-minute break for every 5 hours worked; (2) employees at qualifying retail employers (50+ employees operating 20+ calendar weeks) are covered by the Healthy Retail Employee Act, which mandates a 30-minute unpaid meal break for shifts of 6+ hours and 15-minute paid rest breaks for shifts of 4+ hours.

• What is Maryland's sick leave law?

  Under the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act (eff. February 11, 2018), employees accrue 1 hour of earned sick and safe leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours per year. Employers with 15 or more employees must provide paid leave; those with fewer than 15 employees must provide unpaid leave. Unused leave up to 40 hours carries over annually, with a maximum accrual cap of 64 hours.

• What is Maryland's minimum wage in 2026?

  Maryland's statewide minimum wage is $15.00/hr as of 2026 — more than double the federal $7.25 floor. Tipped employees must receive at least $3.63/hr in cash wages; if tips do not bridge the gap to $15.00/hr, the employer must make up the difference. Three counties set higher rates: Montgomery County ($15.50–$17.65 depending on employer size), Howard County ($15.50–$16.00), and Prince George's County ($15.30).

• Can Maryland employees carry over unused sick leave?

  Yes. Under the Healthy Working Families Act, employees may carry over up to 40 hours of unused sick/safe leave from one year to the next, but the total accrual bank cannot exceed 64 hours. Employers who front-load 40 hours at the start of the benefit year may adopt a no-carryover policy.

• What penalties does Maryland impose for late final paychecks?

  If a court finds the employer withheld wages without a bona fide good-faith dispute, it may award treble damages — up to 3× the unpaid wages — plus the employee's reasonable attorney fees and court costs. For example, $5,000 in unpaid wages could result in a judgment of $15,000 plus legal fees.

• How does the Maryland non-compete low-wage threshold change if the minimum wage increases?

  The threshold is defined as 150% of the state minimum wage. As of 2026, with a $15.00/hr minimum wage, the threshold is $22.50/hr = $46,800/yr. If Maryland's minimum wage increases, the threshold rises proportionally. In Montgomery County, which has its own higher minimum wage, the county-specific rate may set a higher local threshold.

• Where can I file a wage complaint in Maryland?

  You can file a complaint with the Maryland Department of Labor's Employment Standards Service (Division of Labor and Industry) at labor.maryland.gov. Alternatively, you may file a civil action directly in Maryland District Court or Circuit Court. The Maryland Wage Payment and Collection Law allows for treble damages and attorney fees, making court actions often viable without upfront legal costs.