Minimum Wage Preemption: Boston vs Chelsea
How do minimum wage preemption rules compare between Boston, MA and Chelsea, MA?
Boston has fewer restrictions than Chelsea.
Boston, MA
Suffolk County
Boston cannot set its own minimum wage; Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 151 §1 establishes a uniform $15 statewide hourly minimum wage with no carve-out allowing local increases above the state floor.
View full Boston rules →Chelsea, MA
Suffolk County
Massachusetts sets a statewide minimum wage of $15.00 per hour under MGL Chapter 151, and generally preempts cities from adopting higher local minimum wages.
View full Chelsea rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Boston | Chelsea |
|---|---|---|
| State minimum | $15.00/hour | - |
| Tipped service rate | $6.75/hour | - |
| Authority | MGL Ch. 151 §1 | - |
| Local override | Preempted | - |
| Penalty | Treble damages | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Boston FAQ
Can Boston set a higher minimum wage?
Not for general private employment. Massachusetts preempts local minimum wage laws, so Boston would need a Home Rule petition approved by the state legislature to raise the floor citywide.
Are tipped workers covered?
Yes. Tipped workers receive a $6.75 base service rate under MGL Ch. 151 §7, and combined tips plus base must equal at least $15.00 hourly each pay period.
Chelsea FAQ
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See how Boston and Chelsea compare on other ordinance categories.
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