About the Wage Commission

The Wage Commission is made up of five honest and experienced people chosen by the mayor and approved by the City Council. They make sure the minimum, living, and prevailing wage laws are followed correctly, and they enforce the Displaced Workers Protection law. The Commission holds meetings on the first Thursday of each month from 3 PM to 5 PM. 

Join the Commission

Powers and Duties

The Commission is authorized to and shall have the power to:

  1. Formulate and carry out a comprehensive educational and action program designed to eliminate the payment of substandard wages to employees in the City of Baltimore.
     
  2. Receive, investigate, and take action as herein provided on all complaints of payment of less than the minimum wage required.
     
  3. Conduct such investigations on its own initiative as it deems proper to effectuate the compliance with wage laws.
     
  4. Monitor and assist in the fulfillment of any agreements negotiated with employers to affect their compliance with wage laws.
     
  5. Make appropriate findings as a result of any of its investigations.
     
  6. In carrying out its powers and duties, inspect payroll records of any business without prior notice.
     
  7. Enforce the provisions of the Displaced Workers Protection laws. 

The powers of the Wage Commission are found in Minimum Wage Law.

Local Wage Enforcement Laws and Policy

Here you can download laws pertaining to the work done by the Wage Commission.

Minimum Wage Law:  Minimum Wage Law.pdf

Living Wage Law:   Art 5 Sub 26- Living Wages.pdf

Prevailing Wage Law:  Art 5 Sub 25- Prevailing Wages.pdf

Displaced Workers Bill:  Art 11 Sub 18 Displaced Workers.pdf

TIFF Policy:  Baltimore-Tax-Increment-Policy-FINAL.pdf

COVID-19 Employee Retention & Recall:  Art 11 Subtitle 19 COVID19 Employee Retention & Recall.pdf

Resources

Wage Commission Brochure

Read the Brochure

Maryland Department of Labor

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Federal Wage and Hour Division

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