The minimum wage in Massachusetts is $15.00 per hour, which is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Tipped employees must be paid at least $6.75 per hour, but employers must ensure wages and tips combined equal at least the minimum wage.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly wage in Massachusetts is $33.38. Wages vary by occupation, industry, and location.
The estimated living wage in Massachusetts is $30.58 per hour. A living wage represents the estimated hourly rate needed to cover basic living expenses, including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and other essential costs.
A guide to hourly labor laws in Massachusetts
- Resignation: Paid in full on the next regular payday or if there is no regular payday, by the first Saturday after they quit.
- Termination: Paid in full on their last day of work (Mass.gov) (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 149, § 148).
- Paid: Employers with 11 or more employees must provide paid sick time.
- Unpaid: Employers with fewer employees must provide earned (paid or unpaid) sick time.
- Accrual rate: At least 1 hour per every 30 worked (Mass.gov) (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 149, § 148C).
- General: Minors under 14 may not work. Minors under 16 are restricted from certain restaurant roles.
- School session: Up to three hours on school days and 18 hours per week. Up to eight hours per day on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Up to six days per week.
- Non-school session: Up to eight hours per day, 40 hours per week, six days per week.
- Hours: No work between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., extended to 9 p.m. from July 1 until Labor Day. (Mass.gov) (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 149, § 66).
- General: Minors under 18 are restricted from certain restaurant roles.
- School/non-school session: Up to nine hours per day, 48 hours per week, six days per week.
- Hours: No work between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. preceding a school day or midnight and 6 a.m. before non-school days (Mass.gov) (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 149, § 67).
What is the difference between gross wages and net wages?
It's important to remember that the Hourly Wage Index data above reflects gross wages, or the amount of money an employee earns before accounting for payroll deductions like taxes, benefits, or wage garnishments. Due to variability in tax rates across locations, slightly lower gross wages in a certain location might result in higher take home pay, or vice versa.
What is a good hourly wage?
It's important to remember that the Hourly Wage Index data above reflects gross wages, or the amount of money an employee earns before accounting for payroll deductions like taxes, benefits, or wage garnishments. Due to variability in tax rates across locations, slightly lower gross wages in a certain location might result in higher take home pay, or vice versa.
Offering competitive pay is one of my top priorities—what other resources do you have that might help?
It's important to remember that the Hourly Wage Index data above reflects gross wages, or the amount of money an employee earns before accounting for payroll deductions like taxes, benefits, or wage garnishments. Due to variability in tax rates across locations, slightly lower gross wages in a certain location might result in higher take home pay, or vice versa.
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