Overtime Pay in Massachusetts
State-specific overview · Employment Law
Massachusetts requires overtime pay at 1.5 times the regular rate for hours over 40 per week.
How Massachusetts treats Overtime Pay
Massachusetts follows the federal Fair Labor Standards Act threshold of 40 hours per week, triggering overtime at time-and-a-half. The state also has specific rules for certain industries, including healthcare workers and domestic workers, which may have different overtime thresholds. Employers must pay overtime wages by the next regular payday after the overtime hours are worked. Massachusetts law provides no exemptions beyond those allowed under federal law.
The general definition of Overtime Pay
Compensation at an increased rate for hours worked beyond the standard workweek, typically 1.5 times the regular wage.
Overtime pay is extra compensation that employers must provide when employees work more than a certain number of hours per week, usually 40 hours. Under federal law, overtime must be paid at one and a half times the employee's regular hourly rate (called "time and a half"). Some states require overtime for hours over 8 in a single day or for the seventh consecutive day worked. Certain employees, like managers and salaried professionals, may be exempt from overtime requirements. Employers who fail to pay overtime owe back wages plus penalties.
Read the full Overtime Pay entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Massachusetts.