MD · OJT

How Maryland OJT Reimbursement Actually Works for Employers

Maryland on-the-job training runs through the local workforce boards under WIOA. You hire an eligible new worker, sign a contract before training starts, and the board reimburses part of the wages during training: up to 50% under federal rules, up to 75% where the board documents why. Maryland also holds a federal waiver that allows up to 90% for employers with 50 or fewer employees through June 30, 2028, and Employ Prince George's advertises 90%. Separately, the state Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) reimburses up to 100% of wages for one month when you hire a qualified DORS job seeker with a disability.

Check my Maryland eligibility How OJT works nationally

Reimbursa Eligibility Scanner

Tell us your state, industry, and recent training spend. We'll show you which workforce-reimbursement programs you likely qualify for — with estimated recoverable dollars — in about 30 seconds. No email required.

State pre-filled: MD
Program type pre-filled: OJT

Run My Free Scan

HOW IT WORKS

Four steps, in this order.

1
Contact your local board's business services team before you hire
2
Agree the trainee, job, wage and training plan
3
Sign the OJT contract, then train and pay the worker
4
Send time records and an invoice to be reimbursed

2 VERIFIED PROGRAMS

Where the Maryland money comes from.

Run by Local workforce boards (contracts and payment); Maryland Department of Labor (policy); DORS (disability hires). Every figure is from an official page, linked on each card.

WIOA On-the-Job Training through your local workforce board

Up to 50% of wages, 75% in documented cases

THROUGH YOUR LOCAL BOARD

WHAT YOU GET

Reimbursement of part of the trainee's wages while they learn the job. You do not have to document your training costs.

HOW MUCH

Up to 50% of the wage rate, and up to 75% when the board documents the reasons. Maryland has a waiver for up to 90% for employers with 50 or fewer employees, through June 30, 2028. Boards set their own rates, so confirm yours.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

The employer, by reimbursement. The employer pays the trainee's wages as usual.

WHO QUALIFIES

The trainee must be WIOA eligible and enrolled through the board
Wage reimbursement is limited by the state wage cap, the average hourly wage in the state
Usually new hires; some boards ask you to apply before you start picking a candidate

Before you start: Yes. Frederick, for example, asks employers to apply before beginning candidate selection.

DORS Wage Reimbursement for On-the-Job Training

Up to 100% of wages for one month

OPEN, THROUGH DORS

WHAT YOU GET

Wage reimbursement when you hire a qualified DORS job seeker with a disability.

HOW MUCH

Short-term OJT (one month): up to 100% of salary. Long-term OJT (up to four months): reimbursement that decreases as the employee becomes more skilled and independent.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

The employer, which is reimbursed for the employee's wages while they train.

WHO QUALIFIES

The new hire must be a qualified DORS job seeker
Complete the DORS vendor application form

Before you start: Yes. Complete the vendor application and work with your local DORS Business Services Representative first.

LOCAL BOARDS

Same program, different rules by board.

Employ Prince George's (Prince George's County)

Advertises reimbursement of up to 90% of trainee wages. The state's federal waiver allows up to 90% only for employers with 50 or fewer employees, so confirm which rate applies to you.

SOURCE: EMPLOYPG.ORG

Frederick County Workforce Services

Up to 50% of the new trainee's wages. You must apply before you start choosing the candidate, and the hire cannot replace a laid-off worker.

SOURCE: BUSINESSINFREDERICK.COM

Baltimore City (MOED)

Offers OJT but publishes no reimbursement rate on that page. Call the office.

SOURCE: MOED.BALTIMORECITY.GOV

Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corp.

Lists OJT among its training incentives. No rate is published on the state county page.

SOURCE: LABOR.MARYLAND.GOV

AVOID THESE

What gets Maryland OJT claims denied.

Raising the rate above 50% without the board documenting its reasons.
SOURCE: ECFR.GOV
Hiring first and applying later. Frederick requires the application before candidate selection.
SOURCE: BUSINESSINFREDERICK.COM
Using OJT for a hire that replaces a laid-off worker or relocates jobs.
SOURCE: BUSINESSINFREDERICK.COM
Claiming a rate above 75% without the waiver conditions. The 90% waiver is for 50 or fewer employees.
SOURCE: DOL.GOV

STRAIGHT ANSWERS

Maryland OJT questions.

How much of a new hire's wages will a Maryland board reimburse?

Up to 50% under federal rules, up to 75% when documented. Maryland's waiver allows up to 90% for employers with 50 or fewer employees through June 30, 2028. Each board sets its own rate.

SOURCE: ECFR.GOV

Do I have to prove what the training cost me?

No. Federal rules treat the payment as compensation for the extraordinary costs of training and lower productivity, so you do not document those costs.

SOURCE: ECFR.GOV

Is there OJT money for hiring people with disabilities?

Yes. DORS offers up to 100% wage reimbursement for up to one month, and graduated reimbursement for up to four months.

SOURCE: DORS.MARYLAND.GOV

Is the Work Opportunity Tax Credit available too?

Not for people who start work after December 31, 2025. See the tax credit page for status.

SOURCE: IRS.GOV

How we checked. Every fact on this page comes from a state agency, a local workforce board or federal regulation, read on September 30, 2026. Where a board publishes nothing, we say so instead of guessing. Programs and funding change often; confirm with the program before you commit. Written by Jason Meehl, founder of Reimbursa. Found an error? Email hello@reimbursa.com.

OTHER PROGRAMS IN MARYLAND

Reimbursa monitors workforce-reimbursement programs across every state and writes machine-checkable rules packs that prevent claim rejections. See membership pricing.