Maine Salary Paycheck Calculator

Maine payroll taxes

• Maine state income tax: Progressive brackets. Employers withhold using your W-4ME and the latest Maine Revenue Services tables.
• FICA (federal): Social Security and Medicare—see the FICA section below.
• Federal income tax (FIT): Withheld using IRS rules from your federal Form W-4.
• State Unemployment Insurance (SUI): Employer-paid only; employees do not pay Maine UI from wages.
• Local income taxes: None—Maine cities/towns do not levy wage-based local income taxes.
• Pre-tax deductions: 401(k), HSA/FSA, and Section 125 premiums may reduce taxable wages (FIT/state and sometimes FICA).
• Post-tax deductions: Roth 401(k), garnishments, union dues, and other after-tax items reduce net pay after taxes.

How Your Maine Paycheck Works

1. Start with gross pay (salary for the period or hourly rate × hours; include overtime when due).
2. Subtract pre-tax items (traditional 401(k), HSA/FSA, cafeteria plans) to determine taxable wages.
3. Compute FICA (Social Security to the annual wage base; Medicare on all wages; Additional Medicare for high earners).
4. Calculate federal withholding using IRS methods and your W-4 elections.
5. Calculate Maine state withholding using W-4ME and current state tables.
6. Employer separately pays Maine UI/SUI—this does not reduce your net pay.
7. Subtract post-tax deductions to reach net pay.

Maine unemployment insurance (SUI) — 10-year snapshot

Employees do not pay Maine UI. Employers contribute on a taxable wage base at experience or new-employer rates; confirm with your annual rate notice.

Maine salary threshold

Maine generally follows federal FLSA white-collar rules. To be exempt, an employee must meet the current federal salary threshold and applicable duties tests. If either is not met, overtime is due after 40 hours in a workweek.

Median Household Income — Maine (10 years, current dollars)

Nominal values to illustrate trend; consult the latest ACS release for official statistics.

Maine Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA)

• Social Security: 6.2% employee + 6.2% employer, up to the federal wage base.
• Medicare: 1.45% employee + 1.45% employer on all wages.
• Additional Medicare: extra 0.9% employee-only on wages above $200,000 (employer remains 1.45%).

Number of cities that have local income taxes

Maine does not levy municipal wage-based income taxes. Paychecks exclude city or county percentages. Local governments fund services primarily with property, excise, sales, and service fees. Employers may owe business permits or local assessments, but these do not appear as employee paycheck deductions and do not change standard withholding calculations.

Local income tax table (employee wage tax)

Maine Wage and Hour Laws: Overtime, Pay Frequency

• Overtime: Most non-exempt employees earn 1.5× after 40 hours/week (FLSA standard).
• Minimum wage: Statewide rate set by statute (indexed in some years); check the current rate for your pay period.
• Pay frequency: Employers must set regular, posted paydays (weekly/biweekly/semimonthly common) and pay on time; final-pay deadlines apply at separation.
• Meals/rests: Follow federal/state requirements; minors and certain industries may have additional rules.

Additional Maine forms

• W-4ME — Maine Employee’s Withholding form (state elections).
• Withholding returns — Employer periodic deposits and annual reconciliation with W-2 filing.
• UI Employer Registration & Rate Notice — Maine Department of Labor account setup and yearly rate assignment.
• New Hire Reporting — Report hires/rehires within required timeframe.
• Required posters — Wage payment, unemployment, safety, and federal postings.

FAQs — Maine Salary Paycheck Calculator

How do I use a Maine Salary Paycheck Calculator to estimate net pay?

Enter gross pay and pay frequency, your federal W-4 and W-4ME elections, plus any pre-/post-tax deductions. The calculator applies FICA, federal withholding, and Maine state withholding to produce your per-paycheck and annual take-home. Employer UI does not reduce your net pay.

Does any Maine city take a local income tax out of my paycheck?

No. Maine cities and towns do not impose wage-based local income taxes. You’ll typically see only federal, state, FICA, and benefit/garnishment lines on your stub.

Do Maine employees pay unemployment tax from wages?

No. Maine Unemployment Insurance is funded by employer contributions only. Employees do not have a state UI line item on their pay stubs.

What salary makes me exempt from overtime in Maine?

Maine generally follows federal FLSA rules. Exempt status requires meeting the current federal salary threshold and the relevant duties tests. Otherwise, overtime is due after 40 hours in a workweek.

How are bonuses and commissions taxed on a Maine paycheck?

They’re subject to federal withholding (IRS supplemental methods), FICA, and Maine state withholding. There are no local wage taxes in Maine. Employer UI is an employer expense only.

Which form adjusts my Maine state withholding?

Use W-4ME to set or change your Maine withholding elections—update after life events or if you have multiple jobs.

How often must I be paid in Maine?

Employers must maintain regular, posted paydays and pay on time. Weekly, biweekly, or semimonthly schedules are common; final-pay timing depends on separation circumstances and policy.

Does the calculator handle pre-tax benefits like HSA/FSA and 401(k)?

Yes. Enter those amounts; they reduce taxable wages for FIT/state and sometimes FICA, typically increasing take-home compared with taking the same deductions after tax.

Why is my coworker’s net different even at the same salary?

Differences in W-4/W-4ME elections, pre-tax benefits, Roth vs. traditional contributions, supplemental wage methods, and garnishments change taxable wages and withholding, producing different net pay.