News Summary

Massachusetts will introduce a Wage Range Transparency Law starting October 29, 2025, requiring employers to disclose salary ranges in job postings. This legislation aims to reduce wage disparities for women and people of color and applies to companies with 25 or more employees. Violations will incur significant fines, with additional requirements for larger employers to submit demographic data. As Massachusetts joins the trend of pay transparency laws, the impact on pay equity and the workplace landscape is anticipated to be profound.

Boston, Massachusetts – New Wage Range Transparency Law Set for October 2025

Massachusetts is set to enforce a new law requiring employers to disclose wage ranges in all job postings starting on October 29, 2025. Named An Act Relative to Salary Range Transparency, the law aims to reduce wage disparities for women and people of color in the workplace.

The legislation will apply to any Massachusetts-based company that employs 25 or more individuals. To qualify, workers must primarily work in Massachusetts, whether they are in-office or remote. This includes all types of employees, such as seasonal and temporary workers.

Under this law, employers must provide the full range of salary or hourly pay they expect to offer for positions advertised in Massachusetts, including remote roles accessible to Massachusetts workers. The law seeks to promote pay equity by ensuring all job seekers have clear information about potential earnings from the outset of their job search. Additionally, employees are protected from retaliation when they request salary range details from their employers.

Violations of this new law will result in escalating penalties for employers. The first offense will result in a warning, followed by a $500 fine for the second violation, a $1,000 fine for the third, and up to $25,000 for additional violations. Employers with 100 or more workers will also be required to submit workforce demographic data beginning February 1, 2025, as part of the law’s broader effort to promote transparency.

This legislative move aligns with a growing trend in various states, as Massachusetts becomes one of 15 states to have adopted a pay transparency law. This trend is particularly visible in Democrat-led states where efforts to address wage gaps have gained momentum.

Research indicates that salary transparency enhances job application interest and bolsters economic strength, signifying the potential benefits of such policies for both employees and businesses within the state.

Despite the introduction of this law, Massachusetts faces ongoing challenges. A recent report from the Mass Cultural Council has drawn attention to the financial struggles many cultural workers face, with median incomes often falling below living wage thresholds. Furthermore, the state’s business climate has been scrutinized, with Massachusetts ranking 42nd in business friendliness, which has raised concerns about the overall costs of doing business in the area.

Massachusetts recently improved its ranking in CNBC’s annual America’s Top States for Business report, ascending 18 spots to 20th place. This improvement has been linked to the state’s economic independence from federal funding, with only 30% of government spending coming from federal sources. Currently, Massachusetts’ federal workforce constitutes only 0.5% of the total employed population.

In the hospitality sector, particularly within the restaurant industry, a debate is ongoing concerning a potential change to the tipped wage structure. Critics fear that altering the existing system could result in job losses and increased prices for menu items. The implications for wage practices within these industries continue to be closely monitored as discussions unfold.

As Massachusetts prepares for the implementation of this wage range transparency law, the landscape of employment and pay equity in the state may significantly shift, bringing lasting impacts for both workers and employers.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• JD Supra: Massachusetts Employers’ Proposed Wage Transparency Law
• Boston.com: Massachusetts Pay Transparency Law
• CNBC: Massachusetts Most Improved State for Business
• Business Insider: Minimum Wage Vote Results
• Boston Globe: Massachusetts Cultural Council Inventory
• Wikipedia: Wage Transparency
• Google Search: Massachusetts pay equity
• Google Scholar: Pay Transparency Laws
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Minimum Wage
• Google News: Massachusetts Wage 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.