- What is the minimum wage in Massachusetts?
- Does the minimum wage apply to all workers?
- What if I am under 16, does minimum wage apply to me?
- Do babysitters have to be paid the minimum wage?
- What if I am disabled, am I entitled to be paid the minimum wage?
- If I work as an apprentice, someone learning a new trade or occupation, do I have to paid the minimum wage?
What is the minimum wage in Massachusetts?
The minimum wage in Massachusetts is currently $8.00 per hour for most employees. Independent contractors are not covered by minimum wage laws.
Does the minimum wage apply to all workers?
No, the law says that some people do not have to be covered by the minimum wage. Those jobs include:
- agricultural and farm work;
- work being done by people being rehabilitated or trained under rehabilitation or training programs in charitable, educational or religious institutions;
- work by members of religious orders;
- professional service;
- and outside salespersons who sell products outside of the employer's place of business and who do not visit or report to the office daily.1
What if I am under 16, does minimum wage apply to me?
Yes, the minimum wage applies to all employees in Massachusetts, regardless of age.2
Do babysitters have to be paid the minimum wage?
No, babysitters are usually considered to be independent contractors and therefore they are not covered by minimum wage laws.
What if I am disabled, am I entitled to be paid the minimum wage?
Yes! Unless the employer gets a special certificate from the Director of the Department of Labor in Massachusetts, the employer must pay a disabled worker at least the minimum wage.3
If I work as an apprentice, someone learning a new trade or occupation, do I have to paid the minimum wage?
If the Director of the Department of Labor in Massachusetts approves the apprentice program and gives the employer running the apprentice program a special certificate, the employer may then pay the apprentice less than the minimum wage for a certain period of time specified in the certificate. However, the employee must be paid no less than 80 % of the minimum wage and only for the time period allowed by the certificate. 4
Endnotes:
3M.G.L. Chapter 151 § 9; 455 C.M.R. § 2.05 (2) This is not the official version of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations for the Division of Occupational Safety (Minimum Wage Regulations - 455 CMR). While reasonable efforts have been made to assure the accuracy of the data provided here, do not rely on this information without first checking with the from which the official edition of the regulations may be obtained.
4 455. C.M.R. § 2.05 (1)This is not the official version of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations for the Division of Occupational Safety (Minimum Wage Regulations - 455 CMR). While reasonable efforts have been made to assure the accuracy of the data provided here, do not rely on this information without first checking with the from which the official edition of the regulations may be obtained.
Produced by Sheila C. Casey, Esq. Last updated February 15, 2008