Massachusetts Registered Nurse Overtime & Pay Rules
Side-by-side statutory audit of Registered Nurse hourly wages, 1.5x overtime thresholds, shift benchmarks ($42.80/hr median), and meal break penalty pay under M.G.L. c. 151 § 1.
Massachusetts Registered Nurse Paycheck Calculator
Advanced Tax & Paycheck Deductions (Optional) ▼
In Massachusetts, a Registered Nurse is entitled to a minimum statutory base wage of $15.00/hr (State industry median: $42.80/hr). Overtime is calculated at 1.5x regular rate after 40 hours per week under M.G.L. c. 151 § 1.
Visual Pay Composition Breakdown
FLSA Exemption & Overtime Rules for Registered Nurses in Massachusetts
Non-Exempt (Eligible for 1.5x Overtime & Shift Differential Premiums)
Registered Nurses paid on an hourly basis are non-exempt under FLSA regulations and MUST receive 1.5x overtime pay for all hours over 40.
Massachusetts Labor Code & FLSA Authority
Statutory Citation: M.G.L. c. 151 § 1
Massachusetts sets statutory minimum wage at $15.00/hr ($6.75 tipped rate). Overtime required at 1.5x regular pay for hours over 40 per workweek.
Employee Statutory Rights (MA)
- ✓ Statutory minimum wage of $15.00/hr.
- ✓ 30-minute meal break for shifts longer than 6 hours under M.G.L. c. 149 § 100.
- ✓ Earned sick time up to 40 hours of paid sick leave per calendar year.
Employer Mandatory Obligations (MA)
- § Pay tipped employees at least $6.75/hr direct cash wage.
- § Pay employees within 6 days of the end of the pay period.
- § Provide written paystubs showing gross pay, itemized deductions, and hours worked.
Common Massachusetts Payroll Compliance Traps & Audit Penalties
Failing to make up tip credit shortfalls when tips + $6.75 is under $15.00/hr.
Violating Sunday and holiday premium pay phaseout regulations.
Delayed final paycheck delivery upon termination.
Managing payroll or shift workers in Massachusetts?
Avoid Department of Labor non-compliance fines. Automate state-specific overtime, double-time rules, tip credits, and statutory tax withholdings with Gusto Payroll Automation.
Audit Massachusetts Registered Nurse Overtime & Pay
Verify 2026 statutory minimum wage floors, 1.5x overtime thresholds, and meal break penalties for Registered Nurses in Massachusetts.