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Massachusetts · OFFICIAL SOURCES & THRESHOLDS

Massachusetts
Tipped wage.

Check official requirements, employee thresholds, effective dates, and employer responsibilities for tipped wage.

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Tipped wage · MassachusettsChanged recently

Massachusetts tipped wage

Service rate $6.75 per hour cash wage

Massachusetts tipped employees who regularly earn more than $20 a month in tips may be paid a service rate of $6.75 per hour, per the U.S. Department of Labor's state tipped wage table; tips plus the service rate must reach at least the $15.00 state minimum wage or the employer must pay the difference.

Employee threshold: 0+ employees in Massachusetts · All industries
Effective
Jan 1, 2023

Local notes & what to do

Massachusetts' minimum wage has stayed at $15.00 since January 1, 2023, with no further increase scheduled. The Wage Act is strict on pay timing: a discharged employee must be paid in full on the day of discharge, and late wages bring mandatory treble damages. Pay range disclosure in job postings began October 29, 2025 for employers with 25 or more employees, and PFML contributions stayed at 0.88% of eligible wages for 2026 while the maximum weekly benefit rose to $1,230.39.

No expert reviewer assigned to this entry. General information, not legal advice.

Thresholds, dates & upcoming changes

Jurisdiction / rule Requirement Employees / industry Effective / status Official source / last checked
Massachusetts
Massachusetts tipped wage
Service rate $6.75 per hour cash wage 0–any employees
All industries
Jan 1, 2023
Current
U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division - Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees
Checked Nov 1, 2026
THE DATED RECORD

What changed in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts · Tipped wage

Rule name changed from not previously published to Massachusetts tipped wage. Summary changed from not previously published to Massachusetts tipped employees who regularly earn more than $20 a month in tips may be paid a service rate of $6.75 per hour, per the U.S. Department of Labor's state tipped wage table; tips plus the service rate must reach at least the $15.00 state minimum wage or the employer must pay the difference.. Requirement changed from not previously published to Service rate $6.75 per hour cash wage. Numeric amount changed from not previously published to 6.75. Minimum employer size changed from not previously published to 0 employees. Effective date changed from not previously published to Jan 1, 2023. Publication status changed from not previously published to active. Local guidance changed from not previously published to Massachusetts' minimum wage has stayed at $15.00 since January 1, 2023, with no further increase scheduled. The Wage Act is strict on pay timing: a discharged employee must be paid in full on the day of discharge, and late wages bring mandatory treble damages. Pay range disclosure in job postings began October 29, 2025 for employers with 25 or more employees, and PFML contributions stayed at 0.88% of eligible wages for 2026 while the maximum weekly benefit rose to $1,230.39.. Industry coverage changed from not previously published to not published.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division - Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees · Effective Jan 1, 2023 · Last checked Nov 1, 2026 · View current requirement →
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions employers ask about Tipped wage in Massachusetts

What is the Massachusetts tipped wage requirement for 0+ employees?

Service rate $6.75 per hour cash wage. Massachusetts tipped employees who regularly earn more than $20 a month in tips may be paid a service rate of $6.75 per hour, per the U.S. Department of Labor's state tipped wage table; tips plus the service rate must reach at least the $15.00 state minimum wage or the employer must pay the difference.

When did Massachusetts tipped wage take effect?

Effective January 1, 2023. Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division - Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees. Last checked November 1, 2026.

Who must follow Massachusetts tipped wage?

Employers with 0 or more employees in Massachusetts across all industries.

What is the penalty for violating Massachusetts tipped wage?

No penalty information has been published in this entry. Consult the official source.

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