How much am I owed for unpaid wages in Maryland?

Maryland’s wage payment law is one of the most generous in the nation. The Maryland Wage Payment and Collection Law permits workers to recover up to 3 times the amount of any unpaid or late wages, plus attorney’s fees and costs.

What counts as “wages” in Maryland?

The Law defines “wages” very broadly. “Wages” can include unpaid hours worked, bonuses, commissions, fringe benefits, accrued leave, and almost any other type of compensation that might be owed by an employer. In addition, the law expressly prohibits employers from taking unauthorized and unlawful paycheck deductions.

Who does Maryland’s wage payment law apply to?

The wage payment law in the Maryland applies to almost all workers employed in Maryland, whether or not they might be exempt from minimum wage or overtime laws. It can also protect workers who only travel to Maryland occasionally. From dishwashers to managers to highly-compensated executives, the Maryland Wage Payment and Collection law protects almost everyone who performs any work in Maryland.

Who’s entitled to the Maryland minimum wage?

Many (if not most) employees in Maryland are protected by the Maryland Wage and Hour Law. (See common exemptions and exceptions.)

If I’m a salaried employee, am I entitled to the Maryland minimum wage?

Just because an employee receives a salary does not mean he or she is not entitled to the Maryland minimum wage! Generally speaking, if you divide your weekly salary by your weekly hours worked, you should get a number that is equal to or higher than the minimum wage. (See common exemptions and exceptions.)

I was not paid the Maryland minimum wage – what am I entitled to?

If you are a Maryland worker who has ever received a wage that is below the state or local minimum wage, you may be entitled to 3 times the amount of unpaid minimum wages. Please contact us for a free and confidential case evaluation.

Am I entitled to overtime pay in Maryland?

Under the Maryland Wage and Hour Law, many (if not most) employees in Maryland are entitled to receive 1.5 times their “usual hourly wage” for any hours they work over 40 in a workweek.

Calculating the correct overtime rate can be difficult, so many employees do not receive the full overtime rate they are entitled to. Also, many employers pay their employees a flat salary when it is unlawful to do so. Because of this, many employees do not know that that they are entitled to overtime.

I am owed unpaid overtime in Maryland – what am I entitled to?

Under the Maryland Wage Payment and Collection Law, an employer may be liable for up to 3 times the amount of any unpaid overtime.

In some respects, Maryland overtime law is more generous than federal overtime law under the FLSA — so just because an employee is not entitled to overtime under the FLSA does not mean he or she is not entitled to overtime under Maryland Law. (See common exemptions and exceptions to the Maryland Wage and Hour Law.)

• Maryland Exemptions from Both Minimum Wage and Overtime >
• Maryland Minimum Wage Exemptions >
• Maryland Overtime Exemptions >

Maryland Exemptions from Both Minimum Wage and Overtime

Amusement Park/Recreation Facility/Swimming Pool Employees. “If the employer: 1. operates for no more than 7 months in a calendar year; or 2. for any 6 months during the preceding calendar year, has average receipts that do not exceed one-third of the average receipts for the other 6 months [,] An employer may pay an employee a wage that equals the greater of: 1. 85% of the State minimum wage established under this section; or 2. $ 7.25.” See Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. Art. § 3-413(d). Also, such an employer is not required to pay overtime. See Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. Art. § 3-415(b).

Agricultural Workers. A worker who “is employed in agriculture if, during each quarter of the preceding calendar year, the employer used no more than 500 agricultural-worker days” is not covered by the MWHL. See Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. Art. § 3-403(12). A worker who “is engaged principally in the range production of livestock” is not covered by the MWHL. See Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. Art. § 3-403(13). And certain hand harvest laborers who are paid on a piece-rate basis are not covered by the MWHL. See Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. Art. § 3-403(14). Complicating things further: if a worker is, (1) despite the foregoing, subject to the MWHL, (2) an employee who is “engaged in agriculture,” and (3) exempt from overtime under the FLSA, then he is entitled to overtime only for hours worked over 60 in a week. See Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. Art. § 3-420(c).

Camp Counselors. A worker who “is employed in a nonadministrative capacity at an organized camp, including a resident or day camp” is not covered by the MWHL. See Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. Art. § 3-403(2).

Commissioned Employees. A worker who “is compensated on a commission basis” is not covered by the MWHL. See Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. Art. § 3-403(5).

Drive-In Theater Employees. A worker who “is employed in a drive-in theater” is not covered by the MWHL. See Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. Art. § 3-403(7).

Family Members (immediate). A worker who “is a child, parent, spouse, or other member of the immediate family of the employer” is not covered by the MWHL. See Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. Art. § 3-403(6).

Food Packing Employees. A worker who “is employed by an employer who is engaged in canning, freezing, packing, or first processing of perishable or seasonal fresh fruits, vegetables, or horticultural commodities, poultry, or seafood” is not covered by the MWHL. See Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. Art. § 3-403(9).

Minors (under 16) (for workers under 20, see “Young Workers”, in the Minimum Wage section, below). A worker who “is under the age of 16 years and is employed no more than 20 hours in a week” is not covered by the MWHL. See Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. Art. § 3-403(3).

Outside Salesman. A worker who “is employed as an outside salesman” is not covered by the MWHL. See Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. Art. § 3-403(4).

Small Restaurant/Tavern/Café/Drive-In/Drugstore Employees. A worker who “is employed in a café, drive-in, drugstore, restaurant, tavern, or other similar establishment that: (i) sells food and drink for consumption on the premises; and (ii) has an annual gross income of $ 400,000 or less” is not covered by the MWHL. See Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. Art. § 3-403(11).

Special Education Program Trainees (at public schools). A worker who “is employed as part of the training in a special education program for emotionally, mentally, or physically handicapped students under a public school system” is not covered by the MWHL. See Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. Art. § 3-403(8).

Volunteers. A worker who “engages in the activities of a charitable, educational, not for profit, or religious organization if: (i) the service is provided gratuitously; and (ii) there is, in fact, no employer-employee relationship” is not covered by the MWHL. See Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. Art. § 3-403(10).

‘White Collar’ Employees. A worker who “is employed in a capacity that the Commissioner defines, by regulation, to be administrative, executive, or professional” is not covered by the MWHL. See Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. Art. § 3-403(1).

Maryland Minimum Wage Exemptions

Disabled Workers (with DOL or DLLR certificate). Under very limited circumstances, the MWHL allows an employer to pay a disabled employee less than the state minimum wage. See Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. Art. § 3-414.

Tipped Employees. Under certain circumstances, the MWHL permits an employer to pay a tipped employee $3.63 per hour (provided, among other things, that the employee receives the difference between $3.63 and the minimum wage in tips). See Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. Art. § 3-419.

Young Employees (under 20). “[A]n employer may pay an employee a wage that equals a rate of 85% of the State minimum wage established under this section if the employee is under the age of 20 years . . . for the first 6 months that the employee is employed.” See Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. Art. § 3-413(d).