Weekly max gap
$190
District of Columbia higher
2026Maryland vs District of Columbia Paid Leave
District of Columbia lists a higher modeled weekly maximum. Compare PFML status, weekly caps, family weeks, payroll premiums, and sick-leave rules.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Family weeks gap
0
Same modeled family weeks
Premium gap at $80k
$360
District of Columbia lower rate
Side-by-side paid leave scoreboard
Maryland
$1,000
Max weekly · rank #13
- PFML status
- Enacted — benefits pending
- Family weeks
- 12
- Employee premium
- 0.45%
Paid sick leave mandate
District of Columbia
$1,190
Max weekly · rank #9
- PFML status
- Active PFML program
- Family weeks
- 12
- Employee premium
- —
Paid sick leave mandate
Benefit metric comparison
| Metric | Maryland | District of Columbia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max weekly | $1,000 | $1,190 | $190 |
| Family weeks | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| Employee premium | 0.45% | 0% | 0.45% |
| Est. annual premium ($80k) | $360 | $0 | $360 |
Max weekly
Maryland$1,000
District of Columbia$1,190
Family weeks
Maryland12
District of Columbia12
Premium at $80k
Maryland$360
District of Columbia$0
Key takeaways — Maryland vs District of Columbia paid leave
- Maryland has enacted PFML with benefits still pending (Maryland Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI)); District of Columbia has an active PFML program (DC Universal Paid Leave).
- District of Columbia lists the higher modeled weekly maximum ($1,190 vs $1,000, gap $190).
- Both model 12 family/bonding weeks in this 2026 snapshot.
- District of Columbia has the lower employee PFML premium (~0%), saving about $360/year on a $80,000 wage example before wage-base caps.
- Maryland: Paid sick leave mandate. District of Columbia: Paid sick leave mandate.
- Federal FMLA remains unpaid job protection—it does not replace a PFML paycheck in either state.
Maryland vs District of Columbia leave scorecard
PFML status, weeks, premiums, and sick-leave mandates side by side.
| Metric | Maryland | District of Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| PFML status | Enacted — benefits pending | Active PFML program |
| Program | Maryland Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) | DC Universal Paid Leave |
| Max weekly benefitDistrict of Columbia higher by $190 | $1,000 | $1,190 |
| Family / bonding weeksSame modeled weeks | 12 | 12 |
| Medical weeks (modeled) | 12 | 12 |
| Wage replacement (typical) | 9% | 9% |
| Employee premiumDistrict of Columbia lower (~$360/yr at $80,000) | 0.45% | None / n/a |
| Paid sick / any-reason | Paid sick leave mandate | Paid sick leave mandate |
PFML at weekly max — claim length scenarios
Illustrative totals if every week paid the modeled maximum. Caps stop at each state’s family weeks when shorter. Most claimants earn less than the maximum.
| Scenario | Maryland | District of Columbia | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 weeks at weekly max | $4,000 | $4,760 | $760 |
| 8 weeks at weekly max | $8,000 | $9,520 | $1,520 |
| 12 weeks at weekly max | $12,000 | $14,280 | $2,280 |
How to read this page
Maryland vs District of Columbia paid leave in 2026
Comparing paid leave between Maryland and District of Columbia means stacking three layers: mandatory PFML cash benefits (where they exist), statewide paid sick or any-reason leave mandates, and unpaid federal FMLA job protection. This page uses the same 2026 planning snapshot as the paid-leave hub.
Maryland shows enacted — benefits pending with a modeled weekly maximum of $1,000 and about 12 family weeks. District of Columbia shows active pfml program at $1,190/week and 12 family weeks.
If you optimize for cash benefits, District of Columbia leads on weekly maximum and neither state leads on family weeks—premiums and sick-leave rules can still flip the “better” package for a given worker.
Benefits and premiums: Maryland vs District of Columbia
At the weekly maximum for a full family-leave allotment, Maryland could approach $12,000 (12 weeks) and District of Columbia $14,280 (12 weeks)—only if every week pays the published maximum.
Employee payroll shares model at 0.45% in Maryland (~$360/year on $80,000) versus 0% in District of Columbia (~$0/year). The gap is about 0.45% / $360 annually on that wage example.
Wage replacement midpoints are about 9% in Maryland and 9% in District of Columbia before caps. Waiting periods, claim type, and private plans can change cash paid.
PFML vs sick leave vs FMLA in this pair
Maryland: Maryland Healthy Working Families Act paid sick leave (employer-size thresholds apply). District of Columbia: DC Accrued Sick and Safe Leave Act (tiered by employer size).
Short sick or any-reason leave banks are not a substitute for multi-week PFML bonding benefits. A state can lead on sick leave and still lack mandatory PFML—or the reverse.
FMLA can run alongside state PFML for eligible employees of covered employers, but it does not pay wages. Job restoration rules depend on employer size, tenure, and which statute applies—not on which state has the higher weekly max.
When Maryland or District of Columbia looks better for leave
Choose the higher weekly max if your wages would hit the cap and you need maximum cash replacement during bonding or family care.
Choose more family weeks if bonding length matters more than the weekly dollar cap—especially when medical and family weeks share a combined annual ceiling.
Weigh employee premiums and sick-leave mandates for everyday short absences. Relocating for leave benefits alone is rarely enough without checking cost of living, wages, and employer policies.
Who this Maryland vs District of Columbia comparison helps
Useful if…
- •Candidates comparing job offers or remote bases in Maryland vs District of Columbia.
- •Parents estimating bonding leave wage replacement and payroll deductions.
- •HR teams mapping multi-state PFML and sick-leave compliance.
- •Workers weighing whether sick-leave mandates offset a missing PFML program.
Use official tools if…
- •You need an official claim determination, waiting period, or private-plan approval.
- •Your hours or employer size fall below statutory thresholds.
- •City ordinances exceed the statewide sick-leave rules modeled here.
- •You are self-employed and need opt-in PFML rules rather than employee coverage.
Maryland vs District of Columbia checklist
Before treating rankings as a relocation or offer decision.
- 1Confirm PFML status: Maryland (Enacted — benefits pending) vs District of Columbia (Active PFML program).
- 2Compare weekly max ($1,000 vs $1,190) and family weeks (12 vs 12).
- 3Estimate employee premiums on your wage (example gap ~$360 at $80,000).
- 4Review sick/any-reason leave separately from PFML week counts.
- 5Document FMLA eligibility if you need job protection alongside cash benefits.
- 6Open each state profile and confirm agency rules before relocating for leave alone.
Maryland vs District of Columbia paid leave FAQs
Maryland: Enacted — benefits pending (Maryland Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI)). District of Columbia: Active PFML program (DC Universal Paid Leave).
District of Columbia lists a higher modeled weekly maximum ($1,190 vs $1,000).
Maryland models 12 family/bonding weeks; District of Columbia models 12. Medical-leave weeks and combined caps can differ — check each profile.
Maryland employee rate ~0.45%; District of Columbia ~0%. On $80,000 wages that is about $360 vs $0 per year (before wage-base caps).
Maryland: Paid sick leave mandate. District of Columbia: Paid sick leave mandate. Maryland Healthy Working Families Act paid sick leave (employer-size thresholds apply). DC Accrued Sick and Safe Leave Act (tiered by employer size).
No. FMLA is unpaid job-protected leave for eligible employees of covered employers. State PFML programs (where active) can provide partial wage replacement during qualifying leave.
It depends whether you optimize for weekly maximum (District of Columbia), weeks (tied), premiums (District of Columbia), or sick-leave mandates. Read both profiles and confirm eligibility with the state agency.
At each state’s modeled weekly maximum for its family allotment, Maryland approaches $12,000 and District of Columbia $14,280 before taxes and offsets. Most claimants earn less than the maximum.
District of Columbia models the lower employee rate (0%). On $80,000 wages the annual gap is about $360 before wage-base caps.
Usually only for short illness- or appointment-related absences—not full bonding leave. Maryland: Maryland Healthy Working Families Act paid sick leave (employer-size thresholds apply). District of Columbia: DC Accrued Sick and Safe Leave Act (tiered by employer size). Use PFML (where active) or unpaid FMLA for multi-week bonding.
Not always. Weeks, premiums, sick-leave mandates, waiting periods, and employer PTO coordination matter. District of Columbia leads on weekly max in this table, but check family weeks, combined caps, and claim rules before deciding.
Open Maryland (/paid-leave-by-state/maryland) and District of Columbia (/paid-leave-by-state/district-of-columbia) for program details, neighbor tables, and checklists.
Compare another pair
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PFML weekly max, weeks, premiums, and paid sick leave mandates.
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Chart-based estimates. Confirm claims and premiums with state agencies.