Maize (Zea mays L.) is ranking first in total yield production of the crop species in China, whereas this important crop is sensitive to salt stress. As the salinization of farmlands has become one of the major environmental stresses that decrease maize yield and quality, it is important to study the mechanism of salt tolerance and thus facilitate the development of salt-tolerant maize. It’s known that high-salt concentration can damage maize plant mainly by causing osmotic stress and ion toxicity. In recent years, several salt-tolerant QTL or genes which are involved in regulating either ion homeostasis or osmotic tolerance, have been identified by GWAS and/or QTL analysis, and their functional mechanisms have been investigated. Here, we review recent progress on deciphering the mechanisms of salt tolerance in maize.