Massachusetts Minimum Wage Will Increase to $15/hour on January 1, 2023
The new year will once again bring an increase to the minimum wage in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Effective January 1, 2023, the minimum wage will rise to $15.00. With this increase, the minimum wage will reach the $15.00/hour goal established by state legislature in 2018. This represents a seventy-five-cent increase from this past year’s rate of $14.25 and a $1.50 increase from 2021’s wage of $13.50.
The minimum wage for tipped workers will increase to $6.75 in January of 2023, up from $6.15 this past year. A tipped employee is anyone who makes more than $20 a month in tips. These workers must receive at least the overall minimum wage when combining tips and wages. Also of note, Sunday premium pay, and holiday pay will be eliminated as of January 1, 2023.
Many businesses have begun to raise their own minimum wages beyond what is required. For example, Bank of America raised their minimum wage to $22.00 an hour effective as of the end of June 2022. The increase may be cause for concern for many businesses as the financial effects of COVID-19 continue to be felt.
The minimum wage in Connecticut recently increased to $14.00, effective July 1, 2022.
The minimum wage in Vermont will increase to $13.18, effective January 1, 2023, up from $12.55 in 2022.
The minimum wage in Rhode Island will increase to $13.00, effective January 1, 2023, up from $12.25 in 2022.
The minimum wage in New Hampshire is currently $7.25, mirroring the federal minimum.
If you have questions about the minimum wage increase, or any other general employment issues, please do not hesitate to contact the attorneys at The Royal Law Firm at 413-586-2288.
