Portland, Maine 2016 Minimum Wage

Portland, Maine launches its new $10.10 per hour minimum wage rate, continuing the nationwide trend of city minimum wages.

Portland, Maine amended its City Code (Chapter 33) to introduce a new citywide minimum wage effective January 1, 2016. It will increase to $10.68 in 2017 and become indexed to the cost of living in 2018.

Portland, Maine Minimum Wage Schedule

To reduce the burden to employers, the City of Portland is increasing the citywide minimum wage in two stages:

• January 1, 2016: $10.10 per hour
• January 1, 2017: $10.68 per hour

Beginning January 1, 2018, the minimum wage rate will be tied to the cost of living as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Portland, Maine Tipping Minimum Wage Rate

The ordinance sets the same rate for both non-service employees and service employees; however, an employer must pay tipped workers a direct wage of at least $3.75 per hour. Tips to service employees may be counted toward the minimum wage rate, but if a service employee’s direct wage and total tips do not equal or exceed $10.10 per hour, the employer must pay the difference.

The ordinance also clarifies that it is not meant to prohibit tip pooling arrangements among service employees.

The ordinance defines a service employee as a worker who customarily receives more than $30 a month or more in tips.

Portland, Maine Minimum Wage Posting and Notice Requirements

Businesses with locations in Portland, Maine must display two items in a conspicuous place at any workplace or job site where any employees work:

• 2016 Portland Minimum Wage Notice
• Portland Minimum Wage Ordinance

Additionally, employers are required to provide workers with their first paychecks a notice with the current minimum wage and their rights under the City’s ordinance. Providing the two posting items noted above with the first paycheck would satisfy the notice requirement.