Wage and Employment Related Programs

Department of Labor Standards (DLS) administers the Commonwealth's Minimum Fair Wage Law, MGL ch. 151, sec. 1 through 22.

The Minimum Fair Wage Law and Regulations address not only the payment of the basic minimum wage but also overtime; the minimum wage for tipped employees; reporting pay; on-duty or on-call time; travel time and expenses; deductions for lodging, meals, and uniforms; and wage records that employers are required to keep. If you have a question about the meaning of a provision in the Minimum Wage Law or Regulations, see the Minimum Wage and Overtime FAQs section below. If your question is not answered by the FAQs, email the Minimum Wage Program at Minimum.Wage@state.ma.us or call 617-626-6952.

The Massachusetts Minimum Wage is $8.00 per hour. The Service Rate is $2.63 per hour.

The Department of Labor Standards (DLS) issues prevailing wage schedules to cities, towns, counties, districts, authorities, and agencies of the commonwealth for construction projects and several other types of public work. These prevailing wage schedules contain hourly wage rates that workers must receive when working on a public project.

Restrictions on business openings on Sundays and holidays, the Massachusetts Blue Laws, are enforced by the Attorney General's Division of Fair Labor Division. The information provided herein is designed to help both employees and employers understand the law in this area. If you have questions about possible violations of these laws, please contact the Attorney General's Fair Labor Division at 617-727-3465. If you have questions about statewide approval of local permits for holiday openings, please contact the Department of Labor Standard's Minimum Wage Program at 617-626-6952.

Significant amendments were made to the Massachusetts Child Labor Laws, M.G.L. c. 149, 53-105, in 2007.  The amendments affect minors' working hours, provide for certain additional required supervision, streamline the work permit process, strengthen existing criminal penalties and also allow for civil penalties in the event of violations. A complete summary of the Massachusetts laws regulating child labor, including the recent changes, may be found below. As a result of the legislation, there is a single application and permit process for all teen workers ages 14-17. All teens under 18 years of age must complete a work permit application and obtain a work permit before starting a new job.

The Employment Agency Program protects the rights of workers being placed by employment agencies,and ensures those agencies use fair, ethical, and legal business practices.We cover Modeling Agencies, Home Careplacement Agencies, Nanny and/or Babysitter, Placement Agencies, Temporary Staffing and Labor Firms, Permanent Placement Employment Firms.