News Summary

Starting October 29, 2025, Massachusetts will implement a law requiring employers with 25 or more employees to disclose salary ranges in job postings. This initiative aims to reduce wage gaps, especially for women and people of color. The law mandates employers to provide pay range information upon request and includes penalties for non-compliance. It reflects a growing trend toward pay transparency across the U.S. and seeks to promote equitable compensation practices within the state.

Massachusetts to Enforce Salary Range Transparency Law on October 29, 2025

Massachusetts has introduced a new legislation titled “An Act Relative to Salary Range Transparency”, which will take effect on October 29, 2025. This law mandates employers with 25 or more employees to disclose wage ranges in job postings. Furthermore, employers are required to provide current employees with pay ranges upon request. The aim of this legislation is to tackle pay gaps particularly affecting women and people of color within the workforce.

All forms of remuneration will be included in the employer’s headcount, which encompasses seasonal and temporary employees. Employees who are classified as “Massachusetts-based” are those who perform the majority of their work in the state, irrespective of whether they are working in the office, telecommuting, or linked to a Massachusetts worksite. The law applies to any job postings in Massachusetts, including remote positions, thereby ensuring comprehensive remuneration disclosure.

Employers must define the salary range as the “range that the employer reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for such a position at that time”. This expectation is backed by research indicating that job applicants are more likely to apply for positions when salary ranges are clearly disclosed.

The law is part of a broader movement, as Massachusetts joins 14 other states that have established pay transparency regulations in recent years. It aims to improve fair hiring practices through enhanced transparency in job postings, particularly targeting persistent gender and racial wage gap disparities.

Employer Responsibilities and Compliance Measures

Employers with 100 or more employees are tasked with submitting demographic data reports starting on February 1, 2025, to better monitor compliance with the new law. The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office will be responsible for enforcing this law and has the authority to impose fines or civil citations for non-compliance.

To promote adherence, the law provides a grace period, allowing employers two business days to rectify a violation before incurring penalties. This grace period will be applicable during the first two years after the law takes effect. Penalties for violating the act escalate with subsequent offenses, starting from a warning for the first violation, increasing to $500 for the second, $1,000 for the third, and up to $25,000 for any subsequent violations.

Protection Against Retaliation

The law also includes provisions to protect employees from retaliation for inquiring about salary ranges. This is a critical component aimed at fostering an open dialogue about compensation and reducing the fear that employees may have when they discuss pay. Compliance with these regulations is expected to contribute towards more equitable work environments across the state.

Summary and Future Outlook

The implementation of Massachusetts’s “An Act Relative to Salary Range Transparency” is a significant step toward promoting salary equity in the workplace. By requiring employers to be transparent about pay ranges, the state aims to level the playing field and ensure that all employees, especially women and people of color, have equal access to fair compensation.

Overall, the law is intended to facilitate improved hiring practices and support a more equitable labor market in Massachusetts, where transparency and fairness in compensation become paramount to the employer-employee relationship.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• Boston.com: Massachusetts Pay Transparency Law
• Patch: MA Salary Transparency Law Takes Effect
• Morgan Lewis: Massachusetts Publishes FAQs on Pay Transparency Act
• HR Morning: Pay Transparency Laws by State
• Wikipedia: Pay Transparency

Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER

BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.