Maine Overtime Laws
Maine has its own overtime laws in addition to federal FLSA requirements.
Weekly OT Threshold
40 hrs
Daily OT Threshold
None
Double Time
No
Minimum Wage
$14.65
Overtime Rules
| Weekly Overtime | Hours over 40 in a workweek paid at 1.5x |
| Daily Overtime | Not required by state law |
| Double Time | Not required by state law |
| 7th Consecutive Day | No special rule |
Exemptions
The following categories of employees may be exempt from overtime requirements:
Executive, administrative, and professional employees
Important Notes
Maine follows federal weekly overtime rules.
State Labor Department
Maine Economy and Workforce
Maine's economy combines traditional industries like lobster fishing and forestry with a growing tourism sector and emerging aquaculture industry. The state's commercial fishing industry earned over $709 million in 2024, with lobster accounting for 75% of that value, while outdoor recreation and sustainable seafood practices continue to drive economic growth.
Industries with Common Overtime
These Maine industries frequently involve overtime work situations:
Commercial Fishing and Lobstering
Lobster boat crew members, fish processing workers, and aquaculture employees often work long, irregular hours dictated by tides, seasons, and catch availability, making overtime tracking essential.
Tourism and Hospitality
Seasonal resort workers, restaurant staff, and hotel employees frequently work overtime during Maine's busy summer tourist season and fall foliage periods.
Healthcare
Nurses and healthcare workers commonly work overtime, particularly in rural areas with limited healthcare facilities and during staffing shortages.
Forest Products and Logging
Loggers, paper mill workers, and forest products manufacturing employees may work extended hours during peak production and favorable weather conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Maine sets its own minimum salary threshold for exemption, calculated as 3,000 times the state minimum wage or the federal threshold, whichever is higher. As of January 2025, the threshold is $845.21 per week ($43,951 annually), which exceeds the blocked federal threshold.
Yes. Maine law prohibits employers from requiring employees to work more than 80 hours of overtime in any consecutive two-week period. This protection applies to most workers, with some exceptions for emergency services and essential public services.
Maine has a six-year statute of limitations for wage claims under state law, one of the longest in the nation. This allows you to recover back wages going back six years from the filing date.
How to File a Wage Claim in Maine
If you believe you are owed overtime pay, follow these steps:
Gather documentation of hours worked, pay stubs, and any communications with your employer about wages.
File a complaint with the Maine Department of Labor (MDOL) through their website or by contacting their office directly.
You may also file with the federal Wage and Hour Division if your employer is covered by FLSA.
For amounts up to the small claims limit, you can file in Small Claims Court and may be entitled to recover three times the wages owed if your employer failed to pay within 14 days of a written demand.
Important Maine Consideration
Maine has a mandatory overtime cap that prohibits employers from requiring employees to work more than 80 hours of overtime in any consecutive two-week period. Additionally, nurses cannot be penalized for declining shifts longer than 12 hours, and employers must provide a 10-hour rest period after any emergency shift exceeding 12 hours.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for general educational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Overtime laws can change and may have exceptions not listed here. For specific situations, consult with your employer's HR department, the state labor department, or an employment attorney.