What's the Current Minimum Wage in Baltimore?
Maryland's statewide minimum wage is $15.00 per hour as of January 2024, and this rate applies to Baltimore workers. Baltimore itself has no separate city minimum wage ordinance; the state rate sets the floor for all employers in the city. Employees and employers should verify the rate annually, as Maryland adjusts it each January based on inflation.
How Maryland's Minimum Wage Works
Maryland's minimum wage applies to nearly all employees in Baltimore, regardless of industry or company size. The rate covers full-time and part-time workers equally. Certain narrow exceptions exist—such as workers under 16 in their first 90 days of employment, who may earn 85 percent of the minimum wage—but these are rare and require specific conditions.
The state legislature sets the minimum wage, not Baltimore's mayor or city council. This means Baltimore residents cannot petition City Hall to raise the wage above the state rate. If you believe you're being paid below $15.00 per hour, your complaint goes to a state agency, not a city one.
Where to Report Underpayment
The Maryland Department of Labor handles wage complaints across Baltimore. You can file a complaint if your employer pays you less than $15.00 per hour for hours worked (with limited exceptions for trainees and learners). The department investigates without requiring you to hire an attorney, and you do not need to be a citizen or have legal immigration status to file.
To file a wage claim, contact the Maryland Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division. They can explain their current process, required documentation, and timelines. Complaints can typically be filed online, by mail, or in person at a regional office.
Tipped Employees and Subminimum Wages
A significant portion of Baltimore service workers—bartenders, servers, housekeeping staff—may encounter confusion about tipped minimum wage. Maryland does not have a separate tipped minimum wage. Employers must pay tipped employees the full $15.00 per hour, regardless of tips. Any tips are gratuity on top of that wage, not a substitute for it.
This differs sharply from federal law, which allows a $2.13 tipped minimum wage. Because Maryland's requirement is stricter, it takes precedence in Baltimore. If you work in a tipped position and earn less than $15.00 per hour from your employer, that is illegal in Maryland.
How Often Does the Wage Change?
Maryland reviews and adjusts its minimum wage annually on January 1. The adjustment is tied to the Consumer Price Index; if inflation is low or deflation occurs, the wage may stay flat rather than increase. The Department of Labor announces the new rate in December, giving employers a month to adjust payroll systems.
For 2024, the rate remained $15.00 per hour (no increase from 2023). For 2025 and beyond, you can check the Department of Labor website in December for the upcoming year's rate.
Contractors and Self-Employed Workers
The minimum wage applies to employees, not independent contractors or self-employed individuals. If you work as a freelancer, gig worker, or contractor in Baltimore, the minimum wage does not directly govern your income. However, disputes often arise about whether someone is truly a contractor or should be classified as an employee. If an employer misclassifies you to avoid the minimum wage, that is a wage violation you can report.
Prevailing Wage on Public Projects
Construction and service workers on Baltimore city contracts may be covered by prevailing wage rules, which set wages much higher than the minimum wage (often $20–$40+ per hour, depending on the trade). These rules apply specifically to public works projects funded by city money. If you work on a city-funded construction or service contract, check the contract documents for prevailing wage rates, which override the minimum wage floor.
What Happens if Your Employer Doesn't Comply
Paying below the minimum wage is a violation of Maryland law. The Department of Labor can assess penalties against the employer and order back wages owed to you. You cannot be fired or retaliated against for filing a wage complaint. If retaliation occurs, that is a separate violation you can also report.
You do not need to quit your job to file a complaint, though some workers choose to. The Department of Labor can investigate even after you have left employment.
Related Questions
Can my employer in Baltimore pay me less than $15.00 per hour if I'm learning the job? Maryland allows a reduced wage (85 percent of minimum) for workers under 16 in their first 90 days of employment only. All other employees, trainees, and apprentices in Baltimore must receive the full $15.00 per hour minimum wage.
Does Baltimore's minimum wage apply to remote workers? If you live in Baltimore and work remotely for an out-of-state employer, Maryland's minimum wage still applies to you. Where the work is performed matters less than where the worker resides and where the employer does business.
What should I do if my paycheck is short because my hours were cut? A reduction in hours is legal; your employer only needs to pay you for hours actually worked at $15.00 minimum per hour. If you believe hours were not paid for, that is a wage theft complaint. Document your schedule and hours worked, then contact the Department of Labor.
