Employment & Worker Protection · Massachusetts
Massachusetts Minimum Fair Wage Law
M.G.L. c. 151 - enacted in Massachusetts.
- Enacted
- Status
- 2018
- Enacted
- 51
- States with employment & worker protection laws
- 48/100
- Massachusetts strictness
The bottom line
Massachusetts Minimum Fair Wage Law is an enacted law in Massachusetts, part of a mature, broadly-adopted employment & worker protection landscape.
- Enacted
- effective 2023-01-01
- 51
- states have employment & worker protection laws
- 107/107
- employment & worker protection laws enacted nationally
- 48/100
- Massachusetts strictness score
Data compiled 2026-03-18 from the official Massachusetts legislative record linked below; laws can be amended or repealed after this date.
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 compiled this entry's data on 2026-03-18; consult the linked official source for the current, authoritative text.
Nationally, 107 employment & worker protection statutes have been enacted 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-wageHow Massachusetts compares on employment & worker protection
51 states regulate employment & worker protection - Massachusetts ranks #15 by overall regulatory strictness. Bar = state strictness score (0–100).
| # | State | Strictness |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 100 |
| 2 | Colorado | 76 |
| 3 | Texas | 69 |
| 4 | Connecticut | 62 |
| 5 | Illinois | 62 |
| 6 | Minnesota | 62 |
| 7 | New York | 62 |
| 8 | Oregon | 62 |
| 9 | Washington | 62 |
| 10 | Delaware | 59 |
Frequently 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.
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Disclaimer: This summary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Regulation details may have changed since this data was compiled (2026-03-18). Always consult official sources and qualified legal counsel for compliance guidance.
More Massachusetts Regulations
The bottom line
This law is already in force - here's what matters for employment & worker protection compliance.
- Massachusetts Minimum Fair Wage Law is enacted in Massachusetts, effective 2023-01-01. Official source
- 51 states now regulate employment & worker protection; Massachusetts ranks #15 by strictness - compare requirements before you operate across state lines. Compare states
- See every regulation Massachusetts tracks across all five policy areas. Massachusetts profile
Summaries are general information, not legal advice; always confirm against the official statute and qualified counsel.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Verify with the official Massachusetts source →
Every figure on PlainRegWatch is rendered directly from state source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on federal and state source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.