Is it legal to lower the minimum wage in Maine? | Fact brief

Every U.S. state, including Maine, can generally lower its minimum wage — but stipulations apply.

The federal minimum wage has been $7.25 since 2009. States may set a lower minimum or no minimum, but most workers must be paid at least the federal minimum. Tipped workers must reach the $7.25 minimum, with tips included.

States may set minimum wages above the federal floor, which 34 states, territories and districts have done. In most cases, nothing prevents a state from later lowering its own wage floor.

Maine’s minimum wage is $15.10, up from $14.65 in 2025. It is automatically adjusted each year based on changes in the cost of living, following a 2016 voter-approved referendum that established indexing.

Lowering Maine’s minimum wage would require the Legislature to amend the law, or for voters to approve a change through another referendum. Any adjustment would still be subject to federal wage law.