Minimum Wage in Bristol County, Massachusetts
Taunton, MA Minimum Wage and Wage Claims
What Is the Minimum Wage in Taunton, MA?
You are entitled to the highest minimum wage that applies where you work, whether set by your city, county, or state government. (Most cities and counties don’t have their own minimum wage laws.)
Bristol County Minimum Wage
The minimum wage in Bristol County is $15, the state minimum wage.
Massachusetts Minimum Wage
The minimum wage in Massachusetts is $15 an hour. Because this is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25, employees in The Bay State must be paid at least $15 an hour.
Learn more about the minimum wage in Massachusetts at https://www.mass.gov/minimum-wage-program.
What Is the Tipped Minimum Wage in Taunton, MA?
Some states and local governments allow employers to pay tipped employees a lower minimum hourly wage; others don't.
Massachusetts Tipped Minimum Wage
In Massachusetts, your employer may pay you a minimum wage of $6.75 an hour, as long as you earn enough in tips to bring your total hourly pay up to the full minimum wage, $15 an hour. If you don’t earn enough in tips to bring your compensation to the full minimum wage, your employer must make up the difference.
Who Enforces Taunton, MA Minimum Wage Laws?
Massachusetts Enforcement Agency
If you have questions about Massachusetts's minimum wage, contact the
Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards
URL: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-labor-standards
Phone: 617-626-6975
Find the nearest office of the Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards at its Contact Information page, https://www.mass.gov/service-details/department-of-labor-standards-contact-information.
Email: DLSfeedback@state.ma.us
How to File a Wage Claim in Taunton, MA
If you were not paid the minimum wage in Taunton, MA, you may have the right to file a wage claim or complaint with a government agency. Be sure to look at the wage claim materials (below) for the agency that enforces the law you believe was violated, whether city, county, or state.
All jurisdictions impose a time limit on how far back you may claim unpaid wages, so it's important to file your claim quickly. There may be other restrictions on the claims you may file, such as dollar-amount limits or limits on the agency’s ability to force employers to comply with the law. You may be required to ask your employer to pay you correctly before you file a claim. And, you almost always have the option to go straight to court and file a lawsuit instead of filing a wage claim with a government agency. For these reasons, it often makes sense to talk to an experienced wage and hour lawyer to make sure you know all of your options, understand the strength of your claims, and decide how to proceed.
Filing a Wage Claim with the Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards
The Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards has posted information and forms to file a wage claim at its website. (These claims are filed with the Massachusetts Attorney General's office, not the Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards.)
Get Help With Taunton, MA Wage Claims and Lawsuits
If you are considering filing a wage claim or lawsuit, you may want to speak to a local wage and hour attorney. The resources below can help you find a lawyer near you.
Taunton, MA Free or Low-Cost Legal Assistance
Legal aid offices provide free legal assistance to low-income people. Typically, you must qualify for legal aid based on your income. Visit Massachusetts Legal Resource Finder to find local resources and legal aid offices.
Some law schools have free legal clinics that provide assistance with specific problems, including wage and hour issues and other employment matters. Find a list of law schools offering legal clinics on a variety of issues at the American Bar Association Center for Pro Bono.
Taunton, MA Lawyer Directories
Lawyer Referral Services in Massachusetts. Check with the Massachusetts Bar Association for information on lawyer referral services in Taunton, MA. Lawyer referral services match people with attorneys who specialize in particular legal fields, such as wage and hour law.
NELA’s “Find-A-Lawyer” Service. Search the National Employment Lawyer’s Association’s membership to find Taunton, MA lawyers who specialize in wage and hour claims and other employment issues.