The promise of fair pay isn’t just a moral principle—it’s the law. At Pare & Associates, LLC, we fight for Maryland workers who are being underpaid, misclassified, or denied overtime. Whether your employer made a mistake or intentionally committed wage theft, you may be entitled to collect your unpaid wages—plus penalties and attorney’s fees. 

What Is the Minimum Wage in Maryland? 

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Maryland wage laws, most employees must be paid at least the minimum wage. While the federal minimum wage is still $7.25 per hour, Maryland and Montgomery County require higher rates—and these go up every year. 

As of July 1, 2024, the minimum wage in Montgomery County is: 

  • $17.15/hour for large employers (51+ employees) 
  • $15.50/hour for mid-sized employers (11–50 employees) 
  • $15.00/hour for small employers (10 or fewer employees) 

Starting July 1, 2025, these rates will rise to $17.65, $16.00, and $15.50, respectively. If your paycheck doesn’t reflect these numbers, you may have a case. 


Overtime Pay Is the Law 

If you work more than 40 hours in one week, your employer must pay you time-and-a-half (1.5x your regular rate) for every extra hour. This includes workers in: 

  • Restaurants and food service
  • Retail and warehouse jobs
  • Construction and landscaping
  • Home care and cleaning services 

Example: 

You work 50 hours a week at $15/hour but only get paid straight time. You may be owed: 

  • 10 hours of overtime at $22.50/hour 
  • Treble (3x) damages if the employer knowingly underpaid 
  • Attorney’s fees and costs 

Can You Get Triple Damages? Yes—In Some Cases 

Yes! Under the Maryland Wage Payment and Collection Law (MWPCL), if your employer willfully or knowingly underpaid you, the court may award treble damages—three times what you’re owed. But if your employer made a good-faith mistake, you can still get the wages owed—but probably not triple damages. 

You Only Have 3 Years to Get Your Money 

In Maryland, you only have 3 years from each missed payday to file a lawsuit or wage claim. That means the clock starts the day your paycheck should’ve arrived, not when you left the job. Miss that deadline, and you may lose your right to collect what you’re owed. 

Don’t Ignore Wage Theft 

No one working full-time should live in poverty. If your employer is breaking the law, they’re not just being unfair—they’re stealing from you. You may have a case if: 

  • You’re being paid less than the Maryland minimum wage 
  • You’ve worked overtime without extra pay 
  • You’ve been misclassified as an independent contractor 
  • You’ve been denied breaks or tips 

Call Us—We’ll Help You Get Paid 

At Pare & Associates, LLC, we fight for Maryland workers who deserve fair pay. If you’ve been underpaid, we’ll evaluate your case and explain your rights—with no upfront cost. In many cases, we take wage and hour claims on a contingency basis, which means you don’t pay us unless we recover money for you. 

Call us today (301) 962-2492 or use our online form to schedule a confidential consultation.
We’ll help you get paid what you’ve earned—and possibly more.