Massachusetts Minimum Fair Wage Law
M.G.L. c. 151
Regulatory Snapshot: Massachusetts Minimum Fair Wage Law
Massachusetts Minimum Fair Wage Law (M.G.L. c. 151) is an enacted law in Massachusetts under the Employment & Worker Protection category. It was enacted on 2018-06-28 and becomes effective on 2023-01-01. Massachusetts currently reports 6 tracked regulations with 6 already in force, giving the state a regulatory strictness score of 48/100 relative to the national baseline. PlainRegWatch last verified this entry on 2026-03-18.
Nationally, 107 states have enacted employment & worker protection statutes and 0 additional bills remain pending — 51 distinct jurisdictions have codified rules in this area so far. That places Massachusetts within a mature and broadly adopted employment & worker protection landscape where compliance programs typically hinge on definitions in M.G.L. c. 151 itself.
Applicability under Massachusetts Minimum Fair Wage Law: All MA employers except federal government. Penalty exposure is documented as: AG enforcement. Civil penalty + back pay. 3-year statute of limitations. Notable exemptions: Outside salespeople, farm workers (modified), employees under 18 in youth programs..
Summary
Massachusetts minimum wage $15.00/hr. Tipped workers: $6.75/hr (service rate) with tips to $15.00.
Key Requirements
$15.00/hr. Service rate (tipped) $6.75/hr + tips = $15 min. Annual increases through 2023, then CPI.
Penalties
AG enforcement. Civil penalty + back pay. 3-year statute of limitations.
Applicability
All MA employers except federal government.
Exemptions
Outside salespeople, farm workers (modified), employees under 18 in youth programs.
Official Source
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/learn-about-minimum-wageFrequently Asked Questions
Which states have employment & worker protection regulations?
As of the last verification, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection regulations, with 0 additional bills pending across other states. Massachusetts is among the states that has enacted such legislation. Browse all employment & worker protection regulations at plainregwatch.com for the complete state-by-state comparison.
When was Massachusetts Minimum Fair Wage Law enacted?
Massachusetts Minimum Fair Wage Law was enacted on 2018-06-28 and became effective on 2023-01-01. It was introduced as M.G.L. c. 151.
What are the penalties for violating Massachusetts Minimum Fair Wage Law?
AG enforcement. Civil penalty + back pay. 3-year statute of limitations. Note that enforcement mechanisms and penalty structures may vary. Consult the official statute and qualified legal counsel for specific compliance requirements.
Does Massachusetts Minimum Fair Wage Law apply to small businesses?
All MA employers except federal government. Many state regulations include thresholds or exemptions for smaller organizations. Review the full applicability criteria and consult legal counsel to determine your obligations.
How does Massachusetts compare to other states on employment & worker protection?
Massachusetts has a regulatory strictness score of 48/100, based on 6 enacted regulations out of 6 tracked. Nationally, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection laws. Visit our state comparison page for a full ranking.
Where can I read the full text of Massachusetts Minimum Fair Wage Law?
The official text of Massachusetts Minimum Fair Wage Law (M.G.L. c. 151) is available from the Massachusetts legislature. PlainRegWatch links to the official source for every tracked regulation. We recommend reviewing the full statute alongside qualified legal counsel for compliance planning.
Regulation Guides
Plain-language guides to help you understand the broader regulatory landscape.
Related Federal Data
Explore federal datasets connected to state regulation and enforcement.
PlainInfluence
Federal lobbying and influence data — see who shapes state regulation
PlainSpending
Federal spending data — track enforcement budgets behind regulations
PlainGovJobs
Government workforce data — agencies enforcing state and federal rules
PlainEnviro
EPA enforcement and environmental compliance across all 50 states
Explore Regulations
Disclaimer: This summary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Regulation details may have changed since last verification (2026-03-18). Always consult official sources and qualified legal counsel for compliance guidance.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
| Publisher | Kiznis Studio |
| Sources | Public state legislatures, IAPP, NCSL, and federal regulatory trackers |