AUGUSTA, Maine — Starting next year, the minimum wage in Maine will increase from $14.65 to $15.10 an hour, according to a Thursday afternoon announcement by the Maine Department of Labor.

The raise will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

The department said they're required by state law to adjust the minimum wage every year based on the cost-of-living index in the Northeast region. Between August 2024 and August 2025, the index has shown a 3.1 percent increase.

In 2024, around 35,000 workers were paid hourly and earned less than $15, according to the announcement. These workers make up about five percent of all wage and salary workers and about nine percent of wage and salary workers paid at hourly rates.

Agricultural workers in the state will also be paid a minimum wage after Gov. Janet

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