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.
MGL Chapter 151 establishes Massachusetts wage and hour law, including the statewide minimum wage which reached $15.00 per hour on January 1, 2023. The tipped minimum wage is $6.75, with employers required to ensure total compensation reaches the regular minimum. Massachusetts case law and statutory framework treat wage levels as a matter of statewide concern, generally preempting municipalities from setting different rates for private employers. However, cities may impose higher wage floors for their own employees and contractors through living wage ordinances such as those in Boston and Cambridge.
Wage violations carry treble damages, attorney fees, and Attorney General civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation under MGL Chapter 149 Section 27C.
Wellesley, MA
Wellesley allows garage conversions to ADUs under Wellesley Zoning Bylaw §5.13 (as amended April 15, 2025 by Article 40.1) consistent with Section 8 of the M...
Wellesley, MA
Wellesley regulates ADUs under Section 5.13 of the Wellesley Zoning Bylaw. At the April 2025 Annual Town Meeting, Wellesley adopted Article 40.1 to amend its...
Wellesley, MA
Wellesley's Building Department exempts one-story sheds/accessory buildings of 100 square feet or less from a building permit, but they must still comply wit...
See how Wellesley's minimum wage preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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