Current Minimum Wage in Massachusetts

The minimum wage in Massachusetts is $15.00 per hour as of 2026. This is $7.75 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hr.

Wage Breakdown

Pay PeriodGross PayHours
Hourly$15.001
Daily (8 hours)$1208
Weekly$60040
Biweekly$1,20080
Monthly$2,600~173
Annual$31,2002,080

Tipped Employee Wage

Tipped workers in Massachusetts can be paid a cash wage of $6.75/hr, with the expectation that tips make up the difference to the full $15.00/hr minimum. If tips don't bring total compensation to the minimum wage, the employer must make up the difference.

Scheduled Increases

Reached $15.00 in Jan 2023. Tipped minimum increasing annually.

Living Wage vs. Minimum Wage

Federal Poverty Line (single)

$15,060/year

Minimum wage is $16,140 above poverty line

Estimated Living Wage (MA)

~$22.37/hr

Based on cost of living index (131.6)

Cost of Living Context

Massachusetts's cost of living index is 131.6 (national average = 100). This means living in Massachusetts is 31.6% more expensive than the national average. The median hourly wage in Massachusetts is $26.86/hr, which is 79% above the minimum wage.

Key Facts

Reached $15/hr target. Tipped minimum wage increasing gradually to close gap with standard rate.

How This Compares

MetricMAFederalHighest (WA)
Minimum Wage$15.00$7.25$16.66
Tipped Wage$6.75$2.13$16.66
Annual (FT)$31,200$15,080$34,653

Useful Resources

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