Maryland state overtime law tracks the federal FLSA, so the weekly math is identical: 1.5x pay for hours over 40 in a workweek. Enter your rate and hours for an accurate Maryland paycheck estimate.
Rules verified November 2026 · Sources: U.S. Department of Labor
By Mudassir Khan
Maryland law tracks the FLSA. Each workweek stands alone.
Wage claims go to the Maryland DOL Employment Standards Service, promptly and within 2 years. Estimates only. Not tax, legal, or payroll advice. Confirm with your employer or a qualified professional.
Maryland overtime follows the federal FLSA because state law matches it: nonexempt workers earn 1.5 times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek, with no daily overtime. The 2026 minimum wage is $15 an hour statewide, higher in some counties. File wage claims with the Maryland DOL Employment Standards Service promptly.
Maryland requires 1.5 times the usual hourly rate for hours over 40 in a workweek, the same line the FLSA draws. A few occupations use different thresholds, such as farm workers at 60 hours and bowling establishment employees at 48, but for most workers it is 40.
Wage claims go to the Employment Standards Service of the Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Labor and Industry. Reach the agency as soon as possible and within 2 years so it can investigate; lawsuits under state law can be filed within 3 years.
Maryland reached a $15 minimum wage for all employers in 2024 and it is still $15 in 2026. Montgomery, Howard, and Prince George's counties set higher local rates, up to $18 in Montgomery County for large employers, so check your county before running the math.
Gross = (40 × rate) + (hours over 40 × rate × 1.5)
| Rule | Maryland |
|---|---|
| Overtime rule | Federal FLSA, tracked by state law: 1.5 times pay after 40 hours in a workweek |
| Minimum wage 2026 | $15.00 statewide (tipped cash wage $3.63); Montgomery up to $18, Howard $16, Prince George's $15.30 |
| State income tax | Graduated 2% to 5.75% plus county piggyback income taxes |
| Claim agency | Maryland DOL, Employment Standards Service (Division of Labor and Industry) |
| Claim deadline | File with the agency promptly, within 2 years; lawsuits within 3 years under state law |
| Worker | Math | Gross |
|---|---|---|
| $15/hr, 50 hours | $600 + 10 × $22.50 | $825.00 |
| $19/hr, 44 hours | $760 + 4 × $28.50 | $874.00 |
| $25/hr, 60 hours | $1,000 + 20 × $37.50 | $1,750.00 |
| $16/hr, 40 hours | 40 × $16, no overtime | $640.00 |
Example 3 is the Maryland mistake to avoid: a 60 hour week feels like it should include some double time or daily premium. It does not. Every overtime hour earns 1.5 times the regular rate, nothing more.
The county rates can beat the state rate. If you work in Montgomery County for a large employer, your floor is $18, not $15, and overtime math runs off $18. Howard County is $16 for all employers and Prince George's County is $15.30. Using the state rate when your county is higher underpays every overtime hour.
Leave hours do not count toward the 40. Maryland is explicit: vacation, sick time, and holiday hours are not counted when accumulating hours for overtime. Only hours actually worked move the weekly total toward 40.
Three special thresholds exist. Maryland sets 60 hours for certain farm workers and 48 hours for employees of bowling establishments and some non hospital residential care institutions. Almost everyone else uses the standard 40 hour line.
Maryland borders Pennsylvania, where the same weekly rule applies on a different wage floor: our Pennsylvania overtime calculator shows the formula at work. The federal baseline is explained in the FLSA overtime rules guide.
Yes, and it tracks the FLSA: 1.5 times the usual hourly rate for hours over 40 in a workweek for most employees. There is no daily overtime rule.
With the Employment Standards Service of the Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Labor and Industry. File as soon as possible and within 2 years; a lawsuit under state law can be filed within 3 years.
$15.00 an hour statewide for all employers, unchanged since 2024. The tipped cash wage is $3.63 an hour. Montgomery, Howard, and Prince George's counties set higher local rates.
No. Only hours actually worked over 40 in a workweek earn 1.5 times the regular rate. Leave hours, holidays, and single long shifts do not create overtime by themselves.
Yes, twice over. Maryland taxes overtime through its graduated state income tax (2% to 5.75%) plus county piggyback income taxes, on top of federal taxes.
Yes, if nonexempt. A salary alone does not remove overtime rights in Maryland. Only employees who pass the FLSA exempt duties and salary tests can be denied overtime pay.
Rates and rules checked against these sources in November 2026.
Want the same math without the Maryland framing? Use the overtime pay calculator. Curious what the federal no tax on overtime deduction does to a Maryland paycheck? Try the deduction calculator.