Portland, in Maine, has approved a gradual increase in the minimum wage up to $19 per hour in 2028. This policy was passed with a 63% of the votes on November 4 by referendum, and makes a fixe path for anual increases until the end figure is obtained. From 2029, the adjustment will be automatic according to the CIP-U, in order to align with the inflation and cost of living.
At he same time, the Maine Department of Labor holds they state references, but the salty in the city will be above it. The change will impact workers directly, especially in sectors like hospitality and retail, and it’s presented as a policy that aligns with labor rights, the local economy, and the social justice.
How the minimum wage will increase in the city
The increase will be staggered and already has a defined schedule:
- 2025: $15.50 per hour
- 2026: $16.75 per hour
- 2027: $17.75 per hour
- 2028: $19 per hour
In addition, as mentioned before, the minimum wage will be adjusted automatically taking the CPI-U as base, to make sure it make sense compared to the cost of living changes and inflation.
This path seems to be following the previous policies: In 2020, voters from Portland approved a referendum that took salary to $15 per hour in 2024, and by state law and a 2016 referendum, annual adjustments in Maine are linked to the price index.
Furthermore, cities like Portland and Rockland can fix their own minimum wage and adjust it according to the CPI-U. Which means that, although the state minimum wage is $14,65, with an increase of $0,45 announced by the Maine Department of Labor from January 2026, the local figure will still be higher.
Purchasing power, key sectors and rules
The central objective is to strengthen purchasing power against inflation and a high cost of living, especially in household and basic expenses. For people working in hospitality and retail, where rates and salarial margins can be narrower, increasing it means more stability in revenues.
On a state level, Maine keeps updating anual and with the faculty that many municipalities like Portland define they own salary base though voting. This allows to adapt the rules t the reality of each city while still keep a coherence in the state frame.
This policy look to value labor rights and looks to guaranty that working full time will get you a decent revenue. And with this, local economy is expected to circulate better too in commerce and services of the area.
Expected local effects and next steps
Increasing minimum wage, can only be a good thing, it helps healing pressure from the inflation and makes people want spend more money which helps the local shops too. On the other hand, companies are worried, higher salaries means indeed paying more to their employees, and concerns about the raising cost in hospitality and retail are starting to get out.
That’s why the augmentation is going to happen gradually, year by year: to allow everyone to adapt slowly tho this shift. It allows workers to know the path of increase and companies can better plan salaries and prices in advance.
A roadmap with a local stamp
The increase in the minimum wage in Portland, approved by referendum vote, defines a fair roadmap until 2028 and consolidates a CPI-U update mechanism from 2029. Americans are fighting for their right to live a decent live without having to count pennies at the end of the month. And this measure is looking to protect them.
Although, it would be easier if the change would be taken care of in a more general manner, For Maine, this is a signal that cities can stand for their people instead of waiting for a whole state to take a decision.