Massachusetts Labor Laws: An Employer's Overview

Overtime

Massachusetts follows the federal rule: time-and-a-half after 40 hours in a workweek, with no separate daily-overtime requirement.

Minimum Wage

Massachusetts sets a minimum wage above the federal $7.25 and updates it periodically — confirm the current figure before running payroll.

Breaks

Massachusetts requires meal breaks for longer shifts.

Paid Sick Leave & Final Pay

Massachusetts mandates paid sick leave. Final-paycheck timing is state-specific — see the dedicated guides linked below for details, and always confirm against the official source.

Massachusetts Labor-Law Snapshot

A quick Massachusetts snapshot: the minimum wage is $15.00/hour (about $7.75 above the federal $7.25), overtime is about $22.50/hour, Massachusetts mandates paid sick leave (typically ~1 hour earned per 30 worked), and a final paycheck is due immediately, on the day of discharge on discharge.

For Massachusetts employers these rules interact with timekeeping: accurate, audit-logged hours drive overtime, sick-leave accrual, final pay, and break records. Massachusetts requires meal breaks on longer shifts and does not mandate paid rest breaks; a final paycheck is due by the next regular payday (or the following Saturday if there is no scheduled payday) when an employee resigns. Confirm current Massachusetts figures with the state labor office before relying on any single number.

Official Sources

• U.S. DOL — Minimum wage by state
• U.S. DOL — State overtime
• U.S. DOL — State labor offices

More Massachusetts Guides

Labor Law Overview in Other States

Massachusetts Labor Law Overview: Frequently Asked Questions