Maine Paycheck Calculator Includes New PFML Law
Calculate your real Maine take-home pay using the state’s three-bracket income tax, personal exemption, and the brand-new Paid Family and Medical Leave payroll contribution — built from Maine Revenue Services and Maine Department of Labor figures, not a recycled template.
📈 What If My Pay Changes?
Drag the slider to instantly see how a raise or pay cut moves your Maine take-home pay through the state’s three brackets.
How the Maine Paycheck Calculator Works
Maine’s paycheck math changed twice in the past two years, and most calculators haven’t caught up. A new payroll contribution started funding the state’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program in 2025, and a fresh surcharge now applies to the highest-earning households. This calculator applies Maine’s three-bracket income tax, its personal exemption, the new PFML contribution, and current federal and FICA rates — so what you see here reflects how a Maine paycheck actually works today, not a multi-state average.
Maine’s Three-Bracket Income Tax, Plus a New Surcharge for Top Earners
Maine taxes income across three brackets running from 5.8% up to 7.15%, with the thresholds adjusted every year for inflation by Maine Revenue Services. On top of that, a new 2% surcharge now applies to Maine taxable income above $1 million for single filers, or $1.5 million for married joint filers and heads of household — a change that affects only the highest-earning households in the state, but one this calculator accounts for automatically if your income happens to reach that level.
Maine’s Personal Exemption Most Calculators Skip
Beyond the standard deduction, Maine allows a separate personal exemption — currently $5,300 for each qualifying exemption you claim, covering yourself, your spouse if you’re married, and every dependent. It stacks directly on top of the standard deduction, meaning a family of four can shield a meaningful chunk of income before Maine’s brackets ever apply. This calculator factors it in automatically based on your filing status and dependents.
The New Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) Payroll Contribution
Maine began collecting payroll premiums for its Paid Family and Medical Leave program in 2025, ahead of benefits becoming available to workers. Employers with 15 or more employees owe a combined 1% of wages, of which up to half (0.5%) can be deducted from employee pay; smaller employers owe 0.5% and may pass along some or all of it. Either way, an employee never pays more than 0.5% of wages, capped at the same annual wage base as Social Security. Because the choice of whether to withhold it is entirely up to the employer, this calculator gives you a toggle instead of assuming either way.
Maine Minimum Wage and Overtime
Maine’s minimum wage adjusts automatically every January 1st based on the Northeast Region’s cost-of-living index, a system voters approved by referendum back in 2016 — it currently sits well above the $7.25 federal floor, with tipped employees earning a separate, lower direct wage as long as tips close the gap to the full minimum. A handful of cities, including Portland and Rockland, set their own higher local minimums. Overtime follows the federal Fair Labor Standards Act everywhere in the state: 1.5x pay after 40 hours in a single week, with no separate daily overtime rule.
- No local income tax — only the state and federal governments tax Maine wages directly; no city or town adds its own income tax.
- Social Security isn’t taxed — Maine doesn’t tax Social Security retirement benefits at the state level, regardless of income.
- Agricultural workers are now covered — as of a recent law change, Maine’s minimum wage extends to farm workers for the first time, closing a long-standing exemption.
| Deduction | Rate | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Income Tax | 10%–37% | Taxable income after deductions |
| Maine State Income Tax | 5.8%–7.15% (+2% surcharge for top earners) | ME taxable income across three progressive brackets |
| Social Security | 6.2% | Wages up to the current annual wage base |
| Medicare | 1.45% | All earned income |
| Additional Medicare Tax | 0.9% | Income above $200,000 (single) / $250,000 (married) |
| Maine PFML Contribution | Up to 0.5% (employee share) | Only if your employer chooses to withhold it — employers cover the rest |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Maine’s state income tax rates?
Maine taxes income across three brackets ranging from 5.8% to 7.15%, with thresholds adjusted annually for inflation by Maine Revenue Services.
Does Maine have a surcharge for high earners?
Yes, recently added. A 2% surcharge applies to Maine taxable income above $1 million for single filers, and $1.5 million for married joint filers and heads of household — a change that affects only the highest-earning households.
What is Maine’s personal exemption?
Maine allows a personal exemption — currently $5,300 per qualifying exemption, covering yourself, your spouse if married, and each dependent — that stacks on top of the standard deduction to further reduce your Maine taxable income.
What is the Maine PFML payroll contribution?
It’s a payroll contribution funding Maine’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program, which began collecting premiums in 2025 ahead of benefits becoming available. Employers pay most of it; employees may have up to 0.5% of wages withheld, depending on the employer’s size and choice.
What is Maine’s minimum wage?
Maine’s minimum wage adjusts every January 1st based on inflation, currently sitting well above the federal floor, with a separate, lower direct wage for tipped employees as long as tips bring total pay up to the full minimum.
Is Social Security taxed in Maine?
No. Maine does not tax Social Security retirement benefits at the state level, regardless of income.
Does Maine have local income tax?
No. Only the state and federal governments tax wages directly in Maine — no city or town adds its own income tax, though some cities set higher local minimum wages.
How accurate is this Maine paycheck calculator?
This tool applies Maine’s actual bracket thresholds, personal exemption, and standard deduction figures published by Maine Revenue Services, plus the new PFML payroll contribution, alongside current federal tax brackets and FICA rates. Actual withholding can still vary slightly based on your employer’s payroll system.
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This calculator is built using rate schedules, exemption amounts, and payroll tax rules published by Maine Revenue Services (maine.gov/revenue) and the Maine Department of Labor (maine.gov/labor), alongside current federal tax brackets and FICA rates, for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute tax or financial advice. Consult a licensed tax professional or payroll specialist for guidance specific to your situation.