Maryland Labor Laws: An Employer's Overview
Maryland (MD) · Labor law overview · Last reviewed July 2026
Overtime
Weekly (40 hr)
Minimum wage
Above federal
Meal breaks
Required
Overtime
Maryland follows the federal rule: time-and-a-half after 40 hours in a workweek, with no separate daily-overtime requirement.
Minimum Wage
Maryland sets a minimum wage above the federal $7.25 and updates it periodically — confirm the current figure before running payroll.
Breaks
Maryland requires meal breaks for longer shifts.
Paid Sick Leave & Final Pay
Maryland mandates paid sick leave. Final-paycheck timing is state-specific — see the dedicated guides linked below for details, and always confirm against the official source.
Maryland Labor-Law Snapshot
A quick Maryland snapshot: the minimum wage is $15.00/hour (about $7.75 above the federal $7.25) (higher in Montgomery County), overtime is about $22.50/hour, Maryland mandates paid sick leave (typically ~1 hour earned per 30 worked), and a final paycheck is due by the next regular payday on discharge.
For Maryland employers these rules interact with timekeeping: accurate, audit-logged hours drive overtime, sick-leave accrual, final pay, and break records. Maryland requires meal breaks on longer shifts and does not mandate paid rest breaks; a final paycheck is due by the next regular payday when an employee resigns. Confirm current Maryland figures with the state labor office before relying on any single number.
Official Sources
More Maryland Guides
Labor Law Overview in Other States
Maryland Labor Law Overview: Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main labor laws employers should know in Maryland?
The essentials are overtime (federal 40-hour weekly), minimum wage (a state rate above federal), and breaks (meal breaks are required).
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