Massachusetts's Minimum Wage in 2026
The minimum wage in Massachusetts is $15.00 an hour, $7.75 more than the federal minimum of $7.25. No increase is scheduled yet. Full time, that is $31,200 a year before taxes. Source
After federal and state taxes, a single full-time worker keeps about $25,885 a year, or $995.57 every two weeks.
What the Massachusetts minimum wage pays
| At $15.00 | |
|---|---|
| Per hour | $15.00 |
| Per 8-hour day | $120.00 |
| Per 40-hour week | $600.00 |
| Every two weeks | $1,200.00 |
| Per month | $2,600.00 |
| Per year (2,080 hours) | $31,200.00 |
| Take-home every two weeks | $995.57 |
| Take-home per year | $25,884.82 |
Before taxes, except the take-home rows: after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Massachusetts income tax and payroll programs, single filer, 2026 Form W-4, no other deductions. Part time at 20 hours a week, the minimum wage is $15,600 a year and about $13,834 after taxes.
Massachusetts minimum wage rules
Each rule links to the official source. Checked Oct 25, 2026. The federal minimum of $7.25 applies wherever a state rate is lower. Source
| Topic | The rule | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | Massachusetts' minimum wage is $15.00 an hour, in effect since January 1, 2023. No further increase is scheduled; a new rise would need the legislature or a ballot question. | Mass.gov, Massachusetts law about minimum wage |
| Tipped workers | Tipped workers can be paid a service rate of $6.75 an hour, but only if they get more than $20 a month in tips and tips plus the service rate reach at least $15.00 an hour. | Mass. Attorney General, Guide to Workplace Rights and Responsibilities |
| Overtime | Unless your job is exempt, you must be paid at least 1.5 times your regular rate for every hour over 40 worked in a week. | Mass. Attorney General, Guide to Workplace Rights and Responsibilities |
How Massachusetts's minimum wage compares
Massachusetts has the 13th-highest minimum wage of the 50 states and DC, tied with Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska.
The typical (median) worker in Massachusetts earns $30.57 an hour, so the minimum wage is 49% of the median wage. 10% of Massachusetts workers earn less than $17.47 an hour and 25% less than $21.51 (BLS, May 2025, all 3,637,650 jobs). Source
The jobs with the lowest typical pay in Massachusetts, among those with at least 1,000 workers:
| Job | Median hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $16.32 | 2,270 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $16.44 | 15,330 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $16.56 | 5,460 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $16.81 | 13,540 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $17.01 | 11,510 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $17.06 | 4,660 |
BLS figures are from May 2025, before some recent increases. Tipped jobs can show a median below the minimum wage where the law lets employers count tips toward it (see the tipped rules above).
Tax credits and rent on the minimum wage
A full-time minimum-wage worker earns $31,200 a year. At that income the 2026 Earned Income Tax Credit could be about:
| Qualifying children | Single or head of household | Married, one earner |
|---|---|---|
| 0 children | None | None |
| 1 child | $3,259 | $4,421 |
| 2 children | $5,777 | $7,308 |
| 3 children or more | $6,692 | $8,223 |
An estimate from the IRS 2026 amounts and phaseouts; the credit is paid when you file your return. Source
By the HUD guideline that housing should take no more than 30% of income, $31,200 a year covers rent and utilities up to about $780 a month; two minimum-wage earners up to $1,560. Source
Massachusetts minimum wage questions
What is the minimum wage in Massachusetts?
$15.00 an hour.
How much is the Massachusetts minimum wage a year?
$31,200 a year at 40 hours a week for 52 weeks, or $2,600 a month, before taxes. After taxes a single filer keeps about $25,885.
How much is the Massachusetts minimum wage after taxes?
About $995.57 every two weeks for a full-time single filer, after federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare and Massachusetts taxes.
Is Massachusetts's minimum wage going up?
No increase has been scheduled as of Oct 25, 2026.
What is time and a half at the Massachusetts minimum wage?
$22.50 an hour for overtime hours.
States with a similar minimum wage
Arizona minimum wage ($15.15) · Maine minimum wage ($15.10) · Delaware minimum wage ($15.00) · Florida minimum wage ($15.00) · Illinois minimum wage ($15.00) · Maryland minimum wage ($15.00) · Missouri minimum wage ($15.00) · Nebraska minimum wage ($15.00)
Related
Massachusetts paycheck calculator · $15 an hour is how much a year · Minimum wage in every state · Minimum wage increases in 2027 · Hourly paycheck at $15.00
Rates checked Oct 25, 2026. Wage data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.