Massachusetts tip pooling laws & tipped minimum wage
In Massachusetts, employers can pay tipped workers $6.75/hr as long as tips bring them to the $15.00 minimum — here's how that works and who can legally share your tips.
| Regular minimum wage | $15.00/hr |
| Minimum cash wage for tipped workers | $6.75/hr |
| Maximum tip credit | $8.25/hr |
| Tips belong to | Employees — always |
Rates reviewed June 2026. Rates change — confirm with the Massachusetts labor department. Not legal advice.
What's specific to Massachusetts
Massachusetts has one of the strictest tip laws in the country: tip pools may ONLY include wait staff, service employees, and service bartenders — kitchen staff can never be included, even when no tip credit is taken.
Tip pooling in Massachusetts
Pools are restricted to wait staff, service employees, and service bartenders. Including kitchen staff or anyone with managerial duties violates the Massachusetts Tips Act.
Two federal rules apply no matter what: managers and supervisors can never take from a tip pool, and credit card processing fees can only be deducted from tips where state law allows it .
What this means for your tip-out
Because part of your legal wage in Massachusetts comes from tips, every dollar you tip out matters — your employer's tip credit assumes those tips reached you. Track what you actually keep. Use our tip-out calculator to split a shift by your house's percentages or by hours, and see standard tip-out percentages to check whether your house's rates are typical.
Massachusetts tip law FAQs
What is the tipped minimum wage in Massachusetts?
Employers in Massachusetts may pay tipped employees a cash wage of $6.75/hr and claim a tip credit of up to $8.25/hr toward the $15.00 minimum wage. If tips don't close the gap in a workweek, the employer must make up the difference.
Is mandatory tip pooling legal in Massachusetts?
Pools are restricted to wait staff, service employees, and service bartenders. Including kitchen staff or anyone with managerial duties violates the Massachusetts Tips Act.
Can my manager take a cut of the tip pool in Massachusetts?
No. Federal law prohibits managers, supervisors, and owners from keeping any portion of employee tips in every state, including Massachusetts. A manager may keep only tips they directly and solely earned (e.g., a table they personally served start to finish).