Maryland is set to increase its minimum wage to $15 on Jan. 1, 2024, aligning with 21 other states that are also set to raise minimum wages to $15 or higher in the new year.
Senate Bill 555, also known as the Fair Wage Act of 2023, was signed into law by Gov. Wes Moore on April 11, leading to the new requirement.
Most employers in Montgomery County already pay a minimum wage of $15 per hour, as required by county law. The new Maryland law will impact employers with 10 or fewer employees, who will need to increase employee wages from $14.50 to $15 per hour starting on Jan. 1, according to a county press release.
The current minimum wage law in Montgomery County took effect on July 1, 2018, gradually implementing higher minimum wage rates for large, mid-sized, and small businesses. Under the current law, the minimum wage rate was set to reach $15 for small businesses by July 1, 2024. However, the new Maryland law has expedited the increase for small businesses.
“We applaud Governor Wes Moore’s efforts to help all Marylanders,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “The minimum wage is ultimately about working people being able to earn enough to put a roof over their heads, feed their families and not have to choose between food on the table and medical visits. I want to thank Governor Moore for making this one of his earliest priorities. I was glad to testify on behalf of the legislation, and I support this important State-wide legislation.”
As of July 1, 2023, the county’s minimum wage increased to:
- $16.70 per hour for large employers (those with 51 employees or more);
- $15.00 per hour for mid-sized employers (11-50 employees); and
- $14.50 per hour for small employers (1-10 employees).
Employers in the county must follow the higher of the state or county’s minimum wage; as a result, large employers in the county must continue to pay their employees at least $16.70 per hour. The minimum wage rates for the county starting July 1, 2024, have not been determined yet. If adjustments are required, county law states that the changes must be based on the Consumer Price Index for all urban wage earners and clerical workers in the D.C. region from the previous year.
For more information about the minimum wage in Montgomery County, go to montgomerycountymd.gov/minimumwage.
Montgomery County Graphic