Maine Announces Minimum Wage Increase for 2025

Big news for workers in Maine—well, maybe not "big" but at this point, anything helps.

Starting January 1, 2025, the minimum wage is getting a little bump. According to Maine Morning Star, it’ll go from $14.15 to $14.65 an hour.

That might not seem like much, but hey, an extra 50 cents an hour does add up over time. For those full-time workers making minimum wage, that will equate to a little more than $1,000 more per year. That's like 20 lattes! Okay, slight exaggeration...

Maine Morning Star says your base wage is also going up to $7.33 per hour if you're a server or someone working for tips. Not exactly rolling in dough, but it's better than the current $7.15.

And let's be real, tipped workers are likely relying on their tips, not their base pay. If you are relying on your base pay, it might be time for a new job.

Maine Morning Star reported that this increase is all thanks to Maine’s 2016 referendum, which requires the state to adjust the minimum wage each year based on the cost of living. With the cost being up for just about everything, it’s nice to see wages trying to keep pace, even if it’s just a tiny bit.

You may know that Portland and Rockland have even higher minimum wages than the rest of the state and they're not being left out of the pay bump. Come 2025, workers in those two cities will be making $15.50 an hour, 50 cents from this year.