Minimum Wage in Massachusetts
Massachusetts (MA) · Minimum wage · Last reviewed July 2026
Massachusetts minimum
$15.00 / hr
Federal floor
$7.25 / hour
As of
July 2026
Federal vs. State Minimum Wage
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour and has been since July 2009. When a state (or city) sets a higher minimum, the higher rate is what employers must pay. When the state rate is lower or nonexistent, the federal $7.25 applies to employees covered by the FLSA.
As of July 2026, the Massachusetts (MA) minimum wage is about $15.00 per hour, above the federal $7.25. Rates are revisited regularly (often each January), so confirm the current figure with the official source below before you run payroll.
Most Massachusetts employers follow the state rate, but always confirm whether any local ordinance sets a higher minimum where you operate.
Tipped Employees
Tipped workers can be paid a lower cash wage as long as tips bring them up to at least the full applicable minimum wage. The federal tipped cash wage is $2.13 per hour, but many states require a higher tipped wage — and a few require the full minimum with no tip credit. Massachusetts employers should verify the tipped rules that apply locally.
Staying Compliant
Because minimum-wage rates change and can differ by city, the safest approach is to check the official rate at the start of each year and whenever you hire in a new locality. Keep accurate time records so you can always show that pay met or exceeded the minimum for every hour worked.
Massachusetts Labor-Law Snapshot
Massachusetts's minimum wage is $15.00/hour (about $7.75 above the federal $7.25). At that rate, overtime runs about $22.50/hour, and Massachusetts permits a tip credit toward the minimum wage for tipped employees.
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
More Massachusetts Guides
Minimum Wage in Other States
Massachusetts Minimum Wage: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Massachusetts?
As of July 2026, the minimum wage in Massachusetts is about $15.00 per hour, above the federal $7.25. Confirm the current figure before running payroll, as rates change.
Can Massachusetts employers pay tipped workers a lower wage?
Yes — a lower cash wage is allowed as long as tips bring the employee up to the full applicable minimum wage. Some states require a higher tipped cash wage.
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